If you are a working parent receiving public assistance, you may be eligible for financial assistance for child care.

Eligible work activities include:

• Employment assessment
• Job search
• Education
• Training
• Community service
• Employment

In addition, you may be eligible if you:

• Left public assistance in the last 12 months because you got a job
• Have a job and are eligible for public assistance, even if you don't receive benefits

You can apply for assistance with any type of child care you choose, including day care centers, registered family child care, or informal care by neighbors, friends, or relatives. You may also choose a DOE child care program. Monthly payments will be made directly to the child care provider.

For additional information, contact your Job Center.

DOE provides child care assistance to eligible families for children 6 weeks old through 4 years old. Families must meet financial and social eligibility requirements to qualify for assistance with child care payments.

Infant/Toddler Extended Day/Year Program Eligibility​

Your family may qualify for infant/toddler extended day/year programs if at least one of these categories applies to you:

• You are enrolling a child who is in foster care
• You are enrolling a child with an active Child Welfare case, preventive and/or protective
• You receive public assistance and are compliant with HRA's work activities
• Your family's income falls below a certain amount and have an approved "reason for care" :
  • You work 20+ hours per week
  • You are in an educational or vocational training program
  • You have been looking for work for up to 6 months
  • You live in temporary housing
  • You are attending services for domestic violence

Early Head Start Eligibility​

The 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
• Your family income falls below a certain amount

Social Eligibility

To be socially eligible for financial assistance, your family must have an approved "reason for care" as defined by New York State.

These reasons include:

• Families who have a parent or head of household who is employed
• Families in which the parent is in an approved vocational or educational training program
• The family is involved in a child welfare case
• The family is receiving public assistance and needs child care in order to work or participate in a work-related activity

How to Determine Eligibility

You can find out if your family meets the eligibility requirements once you start the application process. Applications and assistance are available online, by phone or in person at any DOE-funded child care program.

ACCESS NYC is an online tool that helps parents find out if they are eligible for financial assistance for child care. It guides you through the steps of enrolling in a child care program.

DOE will make the final eligibility decision after reviewing your application and all required documents.

Applications and instructions are available online and in person. You can get help with the eligibility, application, and enrollment process from any DOE-contracted EarlyLearn NYC child care center or network. Assistance is also available at Family Welcome Centers.

Your application should be submitted at the DOE-funded child care program you select. The child care program will forward your application to DOE. You should not mail applications directly to DOE.

Get applications and assistance:

Online

If you are eligible for financial assistance, you can download and print a blank application form. You can also view the lists of DOE-funded EarlyLearn NYC child care programs for each borough on the MySchools website.

Check if you qualify for financial assistance and get an application.

By Phone or In Person

You can search for a Child Care Center on the MySchools website. Confirm the age group accepted when you speak to the child care center or network.

You can also contact a Family Welcome Center.

The steps in the process for applying for financial assistance are:

1. Find out if your family appears to be eligible.
2. Select a DOE-funded child care program. It is recommended that you visit the program, to help decide if the setting is right for your child.
3. Collect and complete the necessary documents, including an application.
   • Documentation such as proof of identity, address, and income are required.
4. Go to the DOE-funded child care program you’ve selected, to review and submit your application.
   • The application should be submitted at the DOE-funded child care program you’ve selected. The child care program will forward your application to DOE. Parents should not mail applications directly to DOE.
5. DOE will review the application forwarded by the child care center and make a decision about your family’s eligibility for financial aid.
   • If DOE determines that your family is eligible, information on enrollment and about your part of the fee will be mailed to you. There will be instructions to call the child care program you selected to schedule an orientation session.

If DOE determines that your family is not eligible for financial assistance, an explanation will be mailed to you.

One Application for Each Family

When you apply for financial assistance for child care, you are applying to see if your family is eligible. You only need to submit one application, even if you need child care for several children. You should include all children on the one application, and bring the application to the child care center or network you have selected.  The center will submit the application to DOE for you. (Do not mail your application directly to DOE.)

Even if you have selected a different child care center for each child, you still need only one application. Include all of your children on the application, and bring it to one of the centers you’ve chosen. That center will submit the application to DOE for you. You should then notify the other center you have chosen for your other child or children that you have submitted the application to the first center.

Timeframe for Eligibility Decision

After you submit your application to the DOE-funded child care program you selected, that program will then forward your application to DOE. DOE will review the application to determine if your family is eligible for financial assistance.

The DOE usually makes a decision within 15 days after receiving the application from the child care program. Anticipate longer than normal response times related to COVID-19 restrictions. You will be notified of the decision by mail.

Child with Special Needs

The application process, as well as eligibility requirements for financial assistance, are the same for a child with a developmental or physical disability as they are for other children.

Because of limited funding, vouchers for non-DOE programs are currently only issued to eligible families receiving Public Assistance. Families who receive Special Child Care Funding are not eligible for Special Needs Rate.

You can get locations and phone numbers for EarlyLearn NYC child care centers and family child care networks that are funded by DOE. These programs will also assist you with determining eligibility and with processing your application.

You can search for a Child Care Center on the MySchools website. Confirm the age group accepted when you speak to the child care center or network.

Child Care Center versus Family Child Care Home

In a Group Child Care Center, certified teachers care for children in a child care center.

In a Family Child Care Home, child care takes place in a registered provider's home. Family child care providers are sponsored by family child care networks that have contracts with DOE EarlyLearn NYC. The networks will help parents locate a family child care home.

Child care recertification can be processed by email or by mail.

By Email

Scan your application and send it to earlylearn@schools.nyc.gov.

By Mail

NYC DOE - Office of Student Enrollment
PO BOX 377
Maplewood, NJ 07040

Further Assistance

For any additional questions regarding recertification, send an email to earlylearn@schools.nyc.gov.

You should submit your application for child care financial assistance to the DOE-funded EarlyLearn NYC child care center or network that you have selected. The child care program will forward your application to DOE. DOE will review the application and make a decision about your family's eligibility for financial aid.

If you submitted your application more than 15 days ago and have not received mail from DOE, you should check with your selected child care program.

If the program has not received a response either, you should email earlylearn@schools.nyc.gov for assistance.

You can get help if you and your family are currently clients of the Administration for Children’s Services and are receiving any of the following:

• Child care
• Foster care
• Preventative services
• Protective services

Vouchers are a subsidized child care payment method that allows parents to select a non-ACS center or non-ACS family child care home.

Due to limited funding, vouchers are currently issued only to eligible families receiving Public Assistance or Welfare. If your family does not receive Public Assistance and you want to be placed on the ACS Voucher Wait List, ACS can mail a form to you.

Since funding for Vouchers is limited, families who are in need of financial assistance for child care can select an ACS EarlyLearn NYC program. EarlyLearn NYC programs do not require vouchers.

Voucher Wait List Information

There is limited funding for vouchers for a non-ACS center or non-ACS family child care home.

If your family does not receive Public Assistance and you want to be placed on the ACS Voucher Wait List, you can submit a “Voucher Wait List Request Form.” 311 can transfer you to ACS to request the form.

After ACS reviews and approves your request, your child will be placed on the voucher wait list and you will receive a notice confirming your place on the wait list. ACS will notify you if additional funds are made available and ask you to provide documentation to verify your child’s eligibility.

You can make a complaint that an EarlyLearn NYC child care center or network did not assist you with:

• Determining if your family may be eligible for financial assistance for child care
• Getting an application form
• Completing the application form
• Determining what other forms and documentation are required to apply
• Submitting your application at that center or network
• The enrollment process

If you need to file a general complaint about a child care facility, including a program or provider operating without a license, submit a Child Care Complaint instead.

Online

Email the Administration for Children's Services.

By Phone

Notice of Intent Letter Received

Some parents received a letter from ACS with a New York State "Notice of Intent to Change Child Care Benefits.” The date that your family's Transitional Child Care voucher will end is in the "Effective Date" box on the notice.

If you disagree with this decision, follow the instructions to appeal on the back of the Notice.

Because of a lack of available funds, eligible families who request vouchers will be placed on a Voucher Wait List. If you are eligible for a child care subsidy, you will receive a notice from ACS soon that tells you your wait list number. You will be notified by ACS if additional funds are made available.