Infants and Toddlers

Child Care | NYC Department of Education (DOE)

Children (0-13)FamiliesPregnant & new parentsBabyToddler

EarlyLearn programs provide free or low-cost child care and education for children six weeks to two years old. There are hundreds of programs in New York City that offer safe and positive learning environments for children.

Heads Up

  • Child care options include:
  • Infant and Toddler programs for children aged six weeks to two years. These take place in centers or homes for up to 10 hours a day.
  • Early Head Start programs for pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers. These provide services for at least eight hours a day.
  • If you qualify and there is a seat available, your child can begin a program anytime during the year.
  • As long as your child has legal status, they are eligible for care regardless of the parents’ legal status.
  • Eligibility is based on your family’s income, size, and needs.
  • Families will need to pay some of the cost of child care if they do not get Cash Assistance, are not in foster care, or are not homeless.

    • Eligibility

    Early Head Start ProgramsThe best way to find out if your family is eligible for Early Head Start is to contact a program directly. Your family may qualify for Early Head Start if at least one of these categories applies to you:

  • You live in temporary housing
  • You receive HRA Cash Assistance
  • You receive SSI (Supplemental Security Insurance)
  • You are enrolling a child who is in foster care
  • You may also qualify if your household income is at or below these amounts:
  • Family size|Yearly income
  • 1|$14,580
  • 2|$19,720
  • 3|$24,860
  • 4|$30,000
  • 5|$35,140
  • 6|$40,280
  • 7|$45,420
  • 8|$50,560
  • For each additional person, add:|$5,140
  • Infant/Toddler ProgramsYou must have at least one of these approved “reasons for care”:
  • You work 10+ hours per week
  • You are in an educational or vocational training program
  • You are starting to look for work or have been looking for work for up to 6 months. This includes looking for work while receiving unemployment
  • You live in temporary housing
  • You are attending services for domestic violence
  • You are receiving treatment for substance abuse
  • You may qualify if your household income is at or below these amounts:
  • Family size|Monthly income|Yearly income
  • 1|$4,301|$51,610
  • 2|$5,624|$67,490
  • 3|$6,948|$83,370
  • 4|$8,271|$99,250
  • 5|$9,594|$115,130
  • 6|$10,918|$131,010
  • 7|$11,166|$133,987
  • 8|$11,414|$136,965
  • 9|$11,662|$139,942
  • 10|$11,910|$142,920
  • 11|$12,158|$145,897
  • 12|$12,406|$148,875
  • 13|$12,654|$151,852
  • 14|$12,903|$154,830
  • 15|$13,151|$157,807

  • Required Documents

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    How to Apply

    Here are your options to apply:

  • Apply online using the MyCity app (https://mycity.nyc.gov/s/childcarelanding?language=en_US&LanguageCode=en_US) .
  • Apply by mail - (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/acs/early-care/forms.page) Download the application in your language. (https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/3k/) Complete and mail it to:NYC DOE Family Welcome Center333 7th Ave12th floorNew York NY 10001
  • Apply in person
  • Find a program on MySchools. (http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/services/job_centers.shtml)
  • Click “More Filters” and check any of the options under “EarlyLearn”.
  • Then, type in your home address to find a program near you.
  • Visit a program. Staff will help you complete the application.If you already get HRA benefits, apply at your assigned HRA Benefits Access Center instead.

    Online

    Apply using the MyCity app (https://mycity.nyc.gov/s/childcarelanding?language=en_US&LanguageCode=en_US) .

    Apply online

    By Mail

    In Person

    Find a program

    Get Help

  • Get more information about childcare from NYCDOE (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/earlylearn-nyc) .

    • Infants and Toddlers

    Child Care | NYC Department of Education (DOE)

    Children (0-13)FamiliesPregnant & new parentsBabyToddler

    EarlyLearn programs provide free or low-cost child care and education for children six weeks to two years old. There are hundreds of programs in New York City that offer safe and positive learning environments for children.

    Heads Up

  • Child care options include:
  • Infant and Toddler programs for children aged six weeks to two years. These take place in centers or homes for up to 10 hours a day.
  • Early Head Start programs for pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers. These provide services for at least eight hours a day.
  • If you qualify and there is a seat available, your child can begin a program anytime during the year.
  • As long as your child has legal status, they are eligible for care regardless of the parents’ legal status.
  • Eligibility is based on your family’s income, size, and needs.
  • Families will need to pay some of the cost of child care if they do not get Cash Assistance, are not in foster care, or are not homeless.

    • Eligibility

    Infant/Toddler ProgramsYou must have at least one of these approved “reasons for care”:

  • You work 10+ hours per week
  • You are in an educational or vocational training program
  • You are starting to look for work or have been looking for work for up to 6 months. This includes looking for work while receiving unemployment
  • You live in temporary housing
  • You are attending services for domestic violence
  • You are receiving treatment for substance abuse
  • You may qualify if your household income is at or below these amounts:
  • Family size|Monthly income|Yearly income
  • 2|$6,156|$73,869.56
  • 3|$7,604|$91,250.63
  • 4|$9,053|$108,631.70
  • 5|$10,501|$126,012.77
  • 6|$11,949|$143,393.84
  • 7|$12,221|$146,652.80
  • 8|$12,493|$149,911.75
  • 9|$12,764|$153,170.70
  • 10|$13,036|$156,429.65
  • 11|$13,307|$159.688.60
  • 12|$13,579|$162,947.55
  • 13|$13,851|$166,206.50
  • 14|$14,122|$169,465.45
  • 15|$14,394|$172,724.40
  • Early Head Start ProgramsThe best way to find out if your family is eligible for Early Head Start is to contact a program directly. Your family may qualify for Early Head Start if at least one of these categories applies to you:
  • You live in temporary housing
  • You receive HRA Cash Assistance
  • You receive SSI (Supplemental Security Insurance)
  • You are enrolling a child who is in foster care
  • You may also qualify if your household income is at or below these amounts:
  • Family size|Yearly income
  • 1|$14,580
  • 2|$19,720
  • 3|$24,860
  • 4|$30,000
  • 5|$35,140
  • 6|$40,280
  • 7|$45,420
  • 8|$50,560
  • For each additional person, add:|$5,140

  • Required Documents

    NULL

    How to Apply

    Here are your options to apply:

  • Apply online using the MyCity app (https://mycity.nyc.gov/s/childcarelanding?language=en_US&LanguageCode=en_US) .
  • Apply by mail - (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/acs/early-care/forms.page) Download the application in your language. (https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/3k/) Complete and mail it to:NYC DOE Family Welcome Center333 7th Ave12th floorNew York NY 10001
  • Apply in person
  • Find a program on MySchools. (http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/services/job_centers.shtml)
  • Click “More Filters” and check any of the options under “EarlyLearn”.
  • Then, type in your home address to find a program near you.
  • Visit a program. Staff will help you complete the application.If you already get HRA benefits, apply at your assigned HRA Benefits Access Center instead.

    Online

    Apply using the MyCity app (https://mycity.nyc.gov/s/childcarelanding?language=en_US&LanguageCode=en_US) .

    Apply online

    By Mail

    In Person

    Find a program

    Get Help

  • Get more information about childcare from NYCDOE (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/earlylearn-nyc) .

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