On Monday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the launch of a new online child care map and resource center, which is focused on making it easier for families to find, understand and choose child care programs that meet their needs.
Families across the five boroughs can use the new site to find child care options through one platform. Once on the site, users can filter child care sits by location, age group and cost, all while learning key details about the different providers along with contact information and details about the services offered.
“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,” Mamdani said. “This tool is about making government work for people — simple, clear and accessible — so every parent can make the best decision for their child.”
The new tool builds on the Mamdani administration’s devotion 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.
“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 interactive map, developed with feedback from parents at every stage, brings together provider information from across the five boroughs into one searchable platform.
The website’s services are available in several languages, and also accessible on mobile devices.
Along with the map, the website also includes tools to support parents at every stage of the child care search, featuring:
- Clear, plain-language guides to each seat-types – including 3-K, 2-K, pre-K and other early child care options, so families can understand what’s available
- A short questionnaire to help parents identify providers that best match their needs, schedules and preferences
- Transparent information on 10,000 child care programs families rely on, including health and safety inspection records, walking and transit directions, and contact details
- Live support by phone or email, in partnership with Child Care Resource Centers — trusted, multilingual community organizations with a long track record of helping families navigate the system
Parents and child care advocates assisted through multiple rounds of engagement to ensure the information on the site is clearly laid out, and the administration will continue to collect feedback and make improvements over time, per the Mayor’s office.
“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,” Kellan Calder, Parent and Community Organizer for New Yorkers United for Child Care said. “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.”
