NEWYORK: Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the launch of a new online child care map and resource center designed to make it easier for families to find, understand and choose child care programs that meet their needs.
The new tool builds on the Mamdani administration’s commitment to universal, accessible child care. It follows the addition of more than 1,000 new 3-K seats in high-demand neighborhoods and the launch of 2,000 free 2-K seats in four communities across the city.
“Parents already carry so much. For too long, finding child care has meant hours of searching, cross-checking lists and relying on word of mouth. In New York City, finding care for your child shouldn’t feel like a second job,” said Mayor Mamdani.
“This tool is about making government work for people — simple, clear and accessible — so every parent can make the best decision for their child.”
“Today’s announcement underscores this administration’s commitment to using technology to make essential government services and benefits more accessible to the New Yorkers who need them most,” said CTO and OTI Commissioner Lisa Gelobter.
“This game-changing child care online map and resource center, featuring 10,000 providers across the five boroughs, provides our NYC families with an invaluable resource to help them locate and select child care that meets their needs so they don’t waste valuable time searching for and sifting through information on dozens of websites. Thank you to all our tireless child care providers across the city and the Office of Child Care for bringing city and state partners together to give families the priceless peace of mind that comes with reliable child care.”
The first-of-its-kind interactive map — developed with input from parents at every stage — brings together provider information from across the five boroughs into one searchable platform. It offers a streamlined, easy-to-use layout that helps families understand their options and take full advantage of the free and affordable care.
The platform was developed through multiple rounds of engagement with parents and child care advocates – including focus groups and usability testing — to ensure the information is both clear and accessible. The City will continue to gather feedback and improve the site over time.
“For years, parents have had to scramble and stress to find child care – relying on Facebook groups and Google spreadsheets just to figure out what was available. Today, that era comes to an end. This website will let parents understand New York’s child care options at a glance, making it easier for families to find the free and affordable care they deserve. And with 2-K on the way, the timing couldn’t be better. This is what it looks like when an administration truly invests into social services – not just expanding child care programs, but making sure parents actually know about them,” said Kellan Calder, Parent and Community Organizer for New Yorkers United for Child Care.
“The NYC Child Care Resource & Referral Consortium (NYC CCR&R) is proud to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Child Care in this meaningful step forward for NYC’s families. By creating a single entry point to help families navigate the child care system, this platform reduces barriers and makes it easier to access care. As a consortium of community-based organizations, we will continue to serve as a trusted point of contact for families seeking one-on-one support in finding and securing child care that meets their needs,” said the Executive Directors of the Day Care Council, Chinese-American Planning Council, Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, and Child Development Support Corporation.
