New York City’s child care voucher program is closed to new applicants, the waitlist has swelled past 17,000 families, and summer program deadlines are flying by. If you’re a parent trying to figure out how to afford care for your kids right now, this guide walks you through every alternative still available — and what’s coming next.
Who This Helps
Low- and middle-income parents and caregivers in all five boroughs, especially families with children from birth to age 8 who need affordable child care or free summer programming. Also helpful for grandparents, foster parents, and family caregivers navigating city systems.
The Child Care Voucher Crisis: What Happened
As of spring 2026, New York City’s child care voucher enrollment is closed to new applicants who are not receiving Cash Assistance. The city’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) paused new voucher issuance due to reduced state funding, and the waitlist has grown to more than 17,000 families — a more than 1,000 percent increase since July 2025, according to reporting by Chalkbeat New York.
Child care vouchers help cover costs for children 6 weeks to 13 years old. The program is funded through a combination of city, state, and federal dollars, and eligibility is capped at 85% of the State Median Income. But right now, even eligible families cannot get new vouchers unless they are on Cash Assistance.
Important: If your family receives Cash Assistance, you still have a child care guarantee and remain eligible for vouchers even as a new applicant. Contact your local HRA office or call 311 for more information.
What You Can Do Right Now: Alternatives to Vouchers
1. Apply for Contracted Care Instead
This is the most important alternative most families don’t know about. When you fill out the MyCity Childcare Assistance Application, select “Contracted Care” instead of “Voucher.” Contracted care placements — including Extended Day and Year (EDY), Head Start, and School Day Year Plus (SDY+) programs — offer child care for up to 10 hours a day at low or no cost and do not have the same waitlist as vouchers.
2. Head Start and Early Head Start (Free, Year-Round)
Head Start provides free education and child care for families with children from birth to age 5. Programs run year-round for up to 10 hours per day. Eligibility is based on income, family size, and needs — and programs may not ask for proof of citizenship or immigration status.
To find and apply for Head Start programs near you:
- Visit MySchools.nyc and search for Head Start programs
- Call the NYC Department of Education enrollment hotline at 718-935-2009
- Admissions are year-round — your child can enroll any time a seat is available
3. NYC’s New Free 2-K Program (Coming Fall 2026)
Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul announced in March 2026 that free child care for 2-year-olds is launching in four communities this fall. This new 2-K initiative expands the city’s universal pre-K model downward. The city’s budget includes $220 million in new child care voucher funding as well, though details on when new vouchers will be issued are still pending. For more information, visit schools.nyc.gov infant and toddler enrollment.
4. EarlyLearn NYC (Birth to Age 2)
The city’s Birth-to-2 initiative provides approximately 200 seats to infants and toddlers across 15 community-based providers in neighborhoods with the greatest need, with subsidized care for up to 10 hours a day, year-round. Visit Growing Up NYC – EarlyLearn to check eligibility.
Summer Programs: What’s Still Open
Summer Rising 2026 (Free, Grades K–8)
Summer Rising is the city’s free, full-day summer program for students in grades K through 8. The program combines morning academics (ELA and math) with afternoon enrichment including arts, sports, STEM, and field trips. Meals are included.
The application deadline was March 27, 2026. Offers are released April 21, 2026, and families must accept by May 5, 2026. If you missed the deadline, you can add your child to waitlists after offers are released. Visit schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer-rising or call 718-935-2009.
NYC Parks Free Summer Programs
NYC Parks offers free summer activities for kids across the city’s parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers. Registration for individual programs opens on a rolling basis throughout April and May. Visit nycgovparks.org/highlights/free-summer-activities-for-kids for the full schedule.
The Fresh Air Fund (Free Sleepaway Camp)
The Fresh Air Fund offers free summer camp experiences — including sleepaway camp — for children from underserved New York City communities. Applications are open now. Visit freshair.org to learn more and apply.
How to Take Action
Check your eligibility for all programs at once: Visit ACCESS NYC to screen for over 80 city, state, and federal benefit programs including child care, food assistance, and health insurance.
Apply for child care assistance: mycity.nyc.gov — remember to select “Contracted Care” for faster placement.
Find Head Start near you: MySchools.nyc or call 718-935-2009
Summer Rising waitlists: schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer-rising
General child care questions: Call 311 and say “child care” or visit nyc.gov/acs/early-care
Related from HelpNewYork: See our full NYC Pre-K and 3-K Enrollment Guide for step-by-step application help. Also check out our Charter School Lottery guide for additional school options.
HelpNewYork publishes Parent & Family NYC guides to help caregivers navigate the city’s systems. The child care funding crisis is real, but there are programs available right now if you know where to look. Bookmark this page and share it with any parent who needs it.
