Licensed Daycare in New York, New York
938 licensed daycares in New York, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official New York licensing records.
New York listings updated August 2026 from official New York records.
Daycare in New York: what parents should know
Our directory lists 938 licensed childcare providers in New York, New York, with Family Daycare the most common type (about 38% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current New York license at indexing time, sourced from NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services.
For age coverage, 24 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5.
Licensed care in New York spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 52% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, New York's licensed centers hold about 52,749 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
New York childcare by the numbers
The New York childcare landscape
New York City runs one of the largest free early-education systems in the country — and one of its most expensive private markets. The key fact for parents: almost every NYC 4-year-old (and a growing share of 3-year-olds) can attend public preschool at no cost, which completely changes the budgeting math compared with the infant and toddler years.
Pre-K for All and 3-K for All
NYC Public Schools runs Pre-K for All — free, full-day pre-K for every 4-year-old citywide, regardless of income — and 3-K for All, which extends free full-day care to 3-year-olds and is available in many (not yet all) districts. You apply through the city's MySchools portal, not at individual centers, and seats sit in both public schools and partner child-care centers. For most NYC families the year or two before kindergarten cost nothing.
Subsidies and vouchers for infants and toddlers
Before the preschool years, the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS) administers subsidized child care and vouchers for eligible families, and New York State has expanded its child-care assistance income limits in recent years. ACS EarlyLearn and Head Start programs serve income-eligible infants and toddlers across all five boroughs.
How licensing works here
Center-based group child care in NYC is permitted and inspected by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) — more locally enforced than the statewide rules — while family and group family day care homes are regulated by NY State OCFS. Inspection records are public; always confirm a current permit before enrolling.
What it actually costs
NYC is among the most expensive markets in the US, but the range is enormous. Full-time infant care commonly runs $2,000–$2,800/month in Manhattan and brownstone Brooklyn, and meaningfully less in parts of the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Licensed family child care homes are typically the most affordable option.
When to start looking
Pre-K and 3-K run on a fixed cycle — applications generally open in winter (around January–March) for the September start via MySchools. Infant care is a different game entirely: NYC infant rooms carry long waitlists, so families routinely tour and join lists during pregnancy.
Childcare costs in New York
ChildCare Aware reports the New York average full-time cost at $2,050/month for infant care and $1,430/month for preschool. City-level prices in New York vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. New York families may also qualify for NY Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) (intake: (800) 345-5437).
Full New York licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:5
- Preschool ratio
- 1:9
- Avg capacity
- 56 kids
What will daycare actually cost you in New York?
Estimate your monthly cost by age and program type, then see which subsidies and tax credits you may qualify for.
Program types in New York
What to pack for the first day
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Dishwasher-safe ones survive daily bottle washing; paper labels peel within a week.
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Ask the center first — many supply cots but require your own fitted sheet.
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Two full changes per day for potty-training age, one for older kids.
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Most centers ask for one clearly named bottle a child can open alone.
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Needed if the center does not provide meals; look for one that fits an ice pack.
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Largest licensed centers in New York
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
No openings near New York? Widen the search
Waitlists are normal in high-demand areas. Centers one ZIP code over often have space, and part-time or in-home options may open sooner — start by checking nearby ZIP codes.
Found a center in New York? Here is what to pack
Bottles, name labels, nap bedding and spare clothes — our checklist by age covers what centers ask you to bring, and what they ask you not to send.
All New York licensed centers
Page 8 of 44Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.
Common parent questions about licensing, ratios, and how to compare programs in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in New York, New York?
What's the average daycare cost in New York?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in New York daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in New York?
How do I verify a New York daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in New York
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programNY Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(800) 345-5437 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services.
Official license searchChildcare resources for New York
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for New York, New York are compiled from official NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · August 2026 · methodology
Search 938 Licensed Centers in New York
Free, no signup, verified directly with NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services.