Mayor Mamdani to Deliver Free Child Care to More Than 10,000 Low-Income Children

 

Administration moves 10,000 children ages 6 weeks to 13 years off the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) waitlist 

Mayor Mamdani and the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS) today announced that the city will deliver free child care to more than 10,000 children by moving them off the child care voucher waitlist. Supported by a $1.2 billion investment from Governor Kathy Hochul towards the city’s free child care initiatives, today’s announcement will support low-income children ages 6 weeks to 13 years, and through age 19 for children with special needs.

As part of today’s announcement, the City has added a new feature to its child care map and website - nyc.gov/childcare - which allows families, for the first time ever, to search for licensed child care programs and filter for which of them accept child care vouchers. This announcement comes on the heels of a $5.2 million investment by Mayor Mamdani to eliminate all out-of-pocket fees for families receiving child care vouchers in New York City and builds upon the launch of 2-K, the city’s first free, universal child care program for two-year-olds.

“For families struggling to make ends meet, and the providers who deliver them high-quality and consistent child care, access to vouchers is nothing short of transformational. Today’s voucher expansion is a critical step in ensuring no family is left behind in our movement towards universal childcare,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Raising a family in the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country should never be the source of fear, stress and worry. In partnership with Governor Hochul, we will work tirelessly to make sure New York City is a place families are proud to call home.”

"Today's historic free child care expansion will bring relief to thousands more families across New York City,” said Governor Hochul. “In partnership with Mayor Mamdani, we're building a child caresystem that lifts up every family, from launching 2-K and expanding 3-K to moving families off waitlists and into high-quality care. No family should struggle to afford the child care they need and deserve, and I'll keep fighting to deliver universal child care for every family across our city and state."

“Thanks to the commitment of Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul, over the coming months, ACS will be able to provide child care assistance to thousands more children.  This is a win for children and families; a win for providers; and a win for the City of New York,” said ACS Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston.

“For many of the City’s lowest-income families and the child care providers who serve their communities, the Child Care Assistance Program is a lifeline, providing access to subsidized care that can make the difference between whether a parent can go to work and afford to raise their family here,” said Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. “The Administration’s plan to expand access to care, enabled by the Governor’s investments, is a critical step in our overall commitment to deliver universal child care for all.”

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides subsidized child care for eligible children ages 6 weeks through 13 years old, and through age 19 for children with special needs. On day eight of this Administration, Governor Kathy Hochul committed $1.2 billion towards child care in New York City, including $475 million specifically to child care vouchers. Today’s announcement is a culmination of significant work by the city to stabilize vouchers for existing recipients and identify funds for expansion.

Over the next few weeks, ACS will begin inviting families with children on the waitlist to apply for a voucher.  If they are eligible, they will receive a voucher to cover the cost of care at a provider of their choice. Families will be invited on a rolling basis over the next few months. As mandated by the federal government, ACS will prioritize families that have income under 300 percent of the federal poverty line, are unhoused, or have a child with special needs.

"By harnessing the power of technology and data, the Mamdani administration is making it easier for New Yorkers to access the government services they need,” said NYC Chief Technology Officer and Office of Technology and Innovation Commissioner Lisa Gelobter. "Our Child Care Map update means NYC families don't have to make phone calls to learn if the center they want accepts vouchers. For the first time, the City is providing this information directly to families in a single place at the click of a button — saving them valuable time and empowering better, more informed decisions.”