Face Coverings

Face coverings are not required for children and staff unless they are returning to child care after testing positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccination is not required for children.

As of February 10, 2023, COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for staff at City-contracted child care and after school staff.

Some programs include:

• 3-K
• Pre-K
• EarlyLearn Program
• HomeBase Childcare
• Afterschool Programs
• Cornerstone Program
• Beacon Program

Learn more about COVID-19 and child care programs.

You can get a list of licensed and registered child care programs through the Child Care Resource and Referral Consortium.

The Living for the Young Family through Education (LYFE) Program provides day care services for children, ages 8 weeks to 3 years old, of students still attending school. This program tries to meet the specialized needs of young families.

Online

Learn about day care for parenting teens who are in school.

By Phone

When applying for Pre-K, some schools may offer more than one seat type. If a school has more than one seat type, you can list one or all of them on your application. 

School Day Seats

School Day Seats are open to all NYC children born in 2021. These seats are free and provide early care and education for 6 hours and 20 minutes per day during the school year. 

This seat type is offered at:

• NYC Early Education Centers
• District Schools
• Pre-K Centers

Some schools offer early drop off and/or late pick up. Use the “Need Before or After School Care?” filter on the Pre-K Directory to look up these options. There may be a fee for these services.

Extended Day ad Year Seats

Extended Day ad Year Seats are only open to eligible students. These seats are free or low cost and provide up to 10 hours of early care and education a day, year-round, including the summer.

Eligibility for Extended Day and Year seats is based on family income and needs and is confirmed by completing a Child Care application.

This seat type is offered at NYC Early Education Centers.

Head Start Seats

Head Start Seats are only open to eligible students. These seats are free and provide up to 10 hours of early care and education a day, year-round, including the summer. 

Eligibility for Head Start is based on family income and needs. The school will work directly with you to confirm eligibility. 

This type of seat is offered at NYC Early Education Centers.

Compare seat types offered at a particular school.

Learn more about Pre-K seat type.

As of January 1, 2019, all group child care programs and school-based child care programs must keep at least two epinephrine auto-injectors with retractable needles on-site. These auto-injectors must be dosed for children. At least one staff person trained in using the auto-injector must be on-site whenever children are present.

This requirement does not apply to home-based family day care programs.

Online

Learn more about epinephrine.

By Phone