Licensed Daycare in Manhattan, New York
518 licensed daycares in Manhattan, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official New York licensing records.
Manhattan listings updated May 2026 from official New York records.
Daycare in Manhattan: what parents should know
Families in Manhattan can choose from 518 licensed childcare providers, with Preschool the most common type (about 75% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current New York license at indexing time, sourced from NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services.
For age coverage, 102 centers in Manhattan report infant care (roughly 20% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 388 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5.
Licensed care in Manhattan spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 2% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
In total, Manhattan providers are approved for approximately 27,138 child slots — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Manhattan childcare by the numbers
The Manhattan childcare landscape
Manhattan is the most expensive childcare market in New York City — and one of the most expensive anywhere — but the same free public programs apply here as in every borough. The result is a sharp split: families either lean on free Pre-K for All and 3-K, or pay top-of-market rates for private infant and toddler care.
Free pre-K, even in Manhattan
Every Manhattan 4-year-old can attend Pre-K for All for free, and 3-K for All covers many 3-year-olds — both run by NYC Public Schools and applied for through MySchools. Even in the priciest ZIP codes, the year or two before kindergarten can cost nothing if you use the public program.
The high-cost private market
For infants and toddlers, Manhattan is at the top of the national price range — full-time infant care commonly runs $2,200–$3,000+/month on the Upper West and Upper East Sides and downtown. Many Manhattan office employers offer backup or subsidized care (for example through Bright Horizons), which is worth checking before you pay full freight.
Subsidies and free programs uptown
Free and subsidized care is concentrated in Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood, where ACS EarlyLearn and Head Start programs serve income-eligible families. If cost is the barrier, northern Manhattan is where the free infant/toddler options are densest.
Licensing and neighborhoods
Group centers are permitted and inspected by NYC DOHMH; family day care by NY State OCFS. Family-dense neighborhoods — the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Tribeca/Battery Park City, and Harlem — have the most options, alongside many independent and private-school early-childhood programs.
When to start looking
Use the winter MySchools cycle for Pre-K and 3-K. Manhattan infant rooms are among the hardest to get into in the country — waitlists frequently open during pregnancy, so tour and list early, and check whether your employer offers any childcare benefit.
Childcare costs in Manhattan
ChildCare Aware reports the New York average full-time cost at $2,050/month for infant care and $1,430/month for preschool. City-level prices in Manhattan vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. New York families may also qualify for NY Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) (intake: (800) 345-5437).
Full New York licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State 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 capacity
- 52 kids
Program types in Manhattan
Largest licensed centers in Manhattan
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Manhattan licensed centers
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Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Manhattan, New York?
What's the average daycare cost in Manhattan?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Manhattan daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Manhattan?
How do I verify a Manhattan daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Manhattan
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programNY Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(800) 345-5437 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Manhattan
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Manhattan, New York are compiled from official NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology
Search 518 Licensed Centers in Manhattan
Free, no signup, verified directly with NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services.