Licensed Daycare in New York
Find the right daycare in New York in under 5 minutes. 19,217 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.
Program Types in New York
Recently Verified Centers
View all 19,217 →THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Queens
RED SUN CHILDREN DEVELOPMENT, INC
Queens
GSUC CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING CENTER, INC.
Manhattan
COMMUNITY HOUSE NURSERY AND KINDERGARTEN
Queens
BRIGHT HORIZONS CHILDREN'S CENTERS LLC
Manhattan
LITTLE MUNCHKINS PLAYGROUP 56 INC.
Brooklyn
FRIENDS OF CROWN HEIGHTS EDUCATIONAL CENTER
Brooklyn
TOMPKINS CHILDREN'S CENTER
Brooklyn
KINGSBRIDGE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTER, INC.
Bronx
ABC PLUS
Brooklyn
Creative Learning Academy
Staten island
ZETA CHARTER SCHOOLS
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 19,217 Licensed New York Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.