Key facts
- New York City will provide free child care to over 10,000 children.
- The initiative moves families off the child care voucher waitlist.
- The program supports low-income children aged 6 weeks to 13 years, and up to 19 for those with special needs.
- Governor Kathy Hochul committed $1.2 billion to New York City's child care initiatives.
- The city's Administration for Children's Services (ACS) will invite eligible families on a rolling basis.
- Priority will be given to families with incomes under 300% of the federal poverty line, unhoused families, or those with a child with special needs.
New York City is set to provide free child care to more than 10,000 children by moving them off the child care voucher waitlist, according to an announcement from Mayor Mamdani and the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS). This initiative is supported by a $1.2 billion investment from Governor Kathy Hochul towards the city's free child care programs.
The program will assist low-income children from 6 weeks old up to 13 years, and through age 19 for children with special needs. Families will be invited to apply for vouchers on a rolling basis over the coming months, with priority given to those with incomes under 300 percent of the federal poverty line, unhoused families, or families with a child with special needs.
Mayor Mamdani highlighted the transformational impact of voucher access for families and providers, stating that the expansion is a critical step toward universal childcare. Governor Hochul emphasized the commitment to building a child care system that supports all families. ACS Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston noted the program as a win for all stakeholders, while Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, described the Child Care Assistance Program as a lifeline for eligible families.
This announcement builds on previous efforts, including Mayor Mamdani's $5.2 million investment to eliminate out-of-pocket fees for voucher recipients and the launch of the 2-K program for two-year-olds. The city has also introduced a new feature on its child care map and website, nyc.gov/childcare, enabling families to search for licensed programs that accept vouchers.