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How to Apply for Child Care and Early Childhood Education Services
Visit NYC Child Care to learn about all the different options in NYC.
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Apply for Low-Income Child Care Vouchers
Visit MyCity to apply and recertify for Low-Income Child Care Vouchers.
Due to insufficient funding, the City is currently unable to offer child care vouchers to families that are not on cash assistance. While you may submit an application for child care assistance, please be aware that, if you meet income and programmatic eligibility criteria, your child(ren) will be placed on a waitlist for a voucher.
If you currently have a child care voucher, your child care assistance will continue uninterrupted through your eligibility period.
Most families will also be able to continue receiving child care assistance if they successfully recertify. All families that meet one of the below criteria will be able to maintain their child care assistance if they recertify on time and remain eligible.
- Families that are homeless
- Families with a child with special needs
- Families with income below 300% State Income Standard (SIS)
On a rolling basis, the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) will be inviting some families with children on the waitlist to apply for a voucher. Invitation letters will be sent to families based on the order in which their children were placed on the waitlist. To receive a voucher, invited families will need to submit a recertification application. If your children are on the waitlist and you receive a letter inviting you to submit a recertification, the fastest way to submit your application is on MyCity.
If you are eligible and meet one of three criteria (you are unhoused, your child has special needs, or your income is below 300 percent of the state income standard), you will be given a voucher to use with a qualified child care provider of your choice.
If you do not receive a letter, ACS has not yet reached your child on the waitlist, and you should not submit an application until invited to do so.
Apply for NYC Public Schools Early Childhood Education Programs
Infant Program
To learn about Infant Programs operated through NYC Public School visi NYC Child Care
Toddler Programs
To learn about Toddler and 2-K programs operated through NYC Public Schools visit NYC Public Schools.
3-Year Olds Care
To learn about 3-K and all of the different types of 3-K programs visit NYC Child Care
4-Year Olds Care
To learn about Pre-K and all of the different types of Pre-K programs visit NYC Child Care
Apply for Early Head Start or Head Start
Early Head Start: Birth to Three Years Old
To learn about Early Head Start including eligibility criteria visit NYC Child Care
Head Start: Three Years to Five Years Old
To learn about Head Start including eligibility criteria visit NYC Child Care
Are you receiving Cash Assistance?