Free or low-cost child care for children six weeks to two years old
Infants and Toddlers | NYC Department of Education (DOE)
1. How it Works
EarlyLearn programs provide free or low-cost child care and education for children six weeks to two years old. There are hundreds of programs in New York City that offer safe and positive learning environments for children.
Child care options include:
Infant and Toddler programs for children aged six weeks to two years. These take place in centers or homes for up to 10 hours a day.
Early Head Start programs for pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers. These provide services for at least eight hours a day.
If you qualify and there is a seat available, your child can begin a program anytime during the year.
As long as your child has legal status, they are eligible for care regardless of the parents’ legal status.
Eligibility is based on your family’s income, size, and needs.
Families will need to pay some of the cost of child care if they do not get Cash Assistance, are not in foster care, or are not homeless.
2. Determine your eligibility
Early Head Start Programs
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
You may also qualify if your household income is at or below these amounts:
If your family size is 1, your yearly income must be at or below $14,580.
If your family size is 2, your yearly income must be at or below $19,720.
If your family size is 3, your yearly income must be at or below $24,860.
If your family size is 4, your yearly income must be at or below $30,000.
If your family size is 5, your yearly income must be at or below $35,140.
If your family size is 6, your yearly income must be at or below $40,280.
If your family size is 7, your yearly income must be at or below $45,420.
If your family size is 8, your yearly income must be at or below $50,560.
For each additional person, add $5,140 to the yearly income limit.
Infant/Toddler Programs
You must have at least one of these approved “reasons for care”:
You work 10+ hours per week
You are in an educational or vocational training program
You are starting to look for work or have been looking for work for up to 6 months. This includes looking for work while receiving unemployment
You live in temporary housing
You are attending services for domestic violence
You are receiving treatment for substance abuse
You may qualify if your household income is at or below these amounts:
If your family size is 1, your monthly income must be at or below $4,301 and your yearly income must be at or below $51,610.
If your family size is 2, your monthly income must be at or below $5,624 and your yearly income must be at or below $67,490.
If your family size is 3, your monthly income must be at or below $6,948 and your yearly income must be at or below $83,370.
If your family size is 4, your monthly income must be at or below $8,271 and your yearly income must be at or below $99,250.
If your family size is 5, your monthly income must be at or below $9,594 and your yearly income must be at or below $115,130.
If your family size is 6, your monthly income must be at or below $10,918 and your yearly income must be at or below $131,010.
If your family size is 7, your monthly income must be at or below $11,166 and your yearly income must be at or below $133,987.
If your family size is 8, your monthly income must be at or below $11,414 and your yearly income must be at or below $136,965.
If your family size is 9, your monthly income must be at or below $11,662 and your yearly income must be at or below $139,942.
If your family size is 10, your monthly income must be at or below $11,910 and your yearly income must be at or below $142,920.
If your family size is 11, your monthly income must be at or below $12,158 and your yearly income must be at or below $145,897.
If your family size is 12, your monthly income must be at or below $12,406 and your yearly income must be at or below $148,875.
If your family size is 13, your monthly income must be at or below $12,654 and your yearly income must be at or below $151,852.
If your family size is 14, your monthly income must be at or below $12,903 and your yearly income must be at or below $154,830.
If your family size is 15, your monthly income must be at or below $13,151 and your yearly income must be at or below $157,807.
3. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
Apply using the MyCity app.
Apply by mail
Complete and mail it to:
NYC DOE Family Welcome Center
333 7th Ave
12th floor
New York NY 10001
If you already get HRA benefits, apply at your assigned HRA Benefits Access Center instead.
Apply in person
Find a program on MySchools.
Click “More Filters” and check any of the options under “EarlyLearn”.
Then, type in your home address to find a program near you.
Visit a program. Staff will help you complete the application.
If you already get HRA benefits, apply at your assigned HRA Benefits Access Center instead.