Licensed Daycare in New York
Find the right daycare in New York in under 5 minutes. 19,218 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services. Free, no signup.
New York Childcare Licensing
In New York, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:5 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:9 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.
Verify a license at NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care ServicesWhat's distinctive about New York: New York City alone hosts ~25% of state daycare seats. Universal Pre-K (3K + 4K) is free for all NYC children. Outside NYC, CCAP serves families up to 85% state median.
Quick licensing facts
- 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 infant cost
- $2,050/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $1,430/mo
Top Cities for Daycare in New York
View all cities →New York Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
New York families can apply for NY Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) based on income and work/school status. Federal programs — the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 cap), and Head Start — stack on top of state assistance.
Local intake line: (800) 345-5437
Official New York & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Recently Verified Centers
View all 19,218 →The Young Men's Christian Association of the Capital District
Scotia
Here We Grow Day Care, Inc.
South Ozone Park
St Paul's Day Care Center
Rochester
TINY BLESSINGS CHILD CARE INC.
Hempstead
Jump for Joy Day Care Center Inc.
Peekskill
Little Bright Minds Day Care LLC
Bronx
The Community Action Organization Of WNY, Inc.
Buffalo
Nieves, Digna
Bronx
PRECIOUS KINDERLACH DAY CARE INC.
Monsey
Cortland County Child Development Day Care Program, Inc.
Cortland
RFCUNY @ Langston Hughes Cornerstone
Brooklyn
COLOR 4 KIDS INC
Bronx
Daycare in New York — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in New York is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in New York?
How much does daycare cost in New York?
Are subsidies available for childcare in New York?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a New York daycare?
Search 19,218 Licensed New York Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.