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Child Care
Child care for infants and toddlers
EarlyLearn | 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.
- EarlyLearn has:
- 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.
- Eligibility is based on your family’s income, size, and needs.
- Families will need to pay some of the cost if they do not get Cash Assistance, are not in foster care, or are not homeless.
- Services are available for children with disabilities.
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More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Get more information about EarlyLearn from NYCDOE.
Call 311
Ask for “EarlyLearn” if you need help finding a program.
2. Determine your eligibility
For 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
- Your family income falls below a certain amount
For Infant/Toddler Programs Your family may qualify for these programs if your family’s income falls below a certain amount. You must also have at least one of these approved “reasons 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
Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.
Am I Eligible?Next section:
3. What you need to include
It’s important to include the right documents when you apply. Your documents show whether the program is right for you.
This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.
Proof of who you are
For each person applying, any one document:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Baptismal or other religious certificate
- Official hospital or birth records
- Adoption records
- Naturalization certificate
Proof of where you live
For the household, any one document:
- ID card with address
- Driver license issued within past 6 months
- Current letter/lease/rent receipt with home address from landlord
- Postmarked envelope, postcard, or magazine label with name and date (cannot use if sent to a P.O. Box)
- Correspondence from a government agency which contains name and street address (not a P.O. Box)
- Utility bill (gas, electric, or water)
Proof of your income
For each income source of each income earner, any one document:
Wages & Salary
- Letter from employer on company letterhead, signed and dated (this document is acceptable only if you do not have the other types of documents)
- Paycheck stubs (from the last four weeks in a row that you worked, if your pay is the same each week. If your pay is not always the same, bring pay stubs from the last 12 weeks in a row.)
Self-employment
- Records of earnings and expenses
- Signed and dated income tax return and all schedules
Income from Rent or Room and Board
- Check stub
- Ledger or rent receipt book
- Letter from roomer, boarder, or tenant
Military Pay
- Current award letter
- Current check stub
Child Support or Alimony
- Letter from court
Unemployment Income
- Award letter or certificate
- Bank statement showing the direct deposits
- Copy of the direct payment debit card
- Correspondence from NYS Department of Labor
- Unemployment Insurance Monetary Benefit Determination
Social Security Benefits (SSI, Dependent, Disability, Survivor’s, or Retirement)
- Correspondence from Social Security Administration
- Current award letter or certificate
- Current benefit check
Veteran’s Benefits
- Correspondence from Veterans Administration
- Current award letter
- Current benefit check stub
Worker’s Compensation
- Current award letter
- Current check stub
Pensions, Annuities, or IRA
- Statement from pension or annuity
Interest, dividends, or royalties
- Statement from bank, credit union, or financial institution
Support from Family, Gifts, Inheritance, or Lottery
- Copies of canceled checks from family member
- Signed statement or letter from family member
Proof of citizenship/immigration status
For each person applying, any one document:
- Green card (copy of the front and back)
- Arrival-Departure Record Card: INS form I-94
- Letter from US Citizenship and Immigration (CIS) (formerly INS) showing status and, if necessary, date of entry into the US
- Other INS documents, or correspondence to or from the INS, that shows that you are living in the US with the knowledge and permission of the INS
Note: As long as the child has legal status, the child is eligible for care regardless of the parent(s)’ legal status.
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4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply by mail
- Get and complete an application:
- Download the application.
- Visit a program of your choice to pick one up. Find a program on MySchools.
- Call 311 to request one in the mail.
- Mail your application to:
NYC DOE – Office of Student Enrollment
PO BOX 377
Maplewood, NJ 07040
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.
- Get and complete an application:
- Download the application.
- Visit a program of your choice to pick one up. Find a program on MySchools.
- Call 311 to request one in the mail.
- Submit your application with the required documents to the EarlyLearn program of your choice.
You can also apply at your assigned HRA Job Center if you already get HRA benefits.
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More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Get more information about EarlyLearn from NYCDOE.
Call 311
Ask for “EarlyLearn” if you need help finding a program.
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