Licensed Daycare in Queens, New York
662 licensed daycares in Queens, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official New York licensing records.
Queens listings updated May 2026 from official New York records.
Daycare in Queens: what parents should know
Our directory lists 662 licensed childcare providers in Queens, New York, with Preschool the most common type (about 70% 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, 84 centers in Queens report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 463 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5.
Licensed care in Queens spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 4% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, Queens's licensed centers hold about 45,881 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Queens childcare by the numbers
The Queens childcare landscape
Queens is the most ethnically diverse county in the United States, and its childcare market reflects that — bilingual and culturally specific programs are a real strength here. The free citywide programs cover the borough, so the practical questions for most Queens families are language, neighborhood, and commute rather than whether free preschool exists.
Free pre-K and 3-K
Queens children have full access to Pre-K for All (free for every 4-year-old) and 3-K for All (free for 3-year-olds, available in many Queens districts) through NYC Public Schools — apply via the MySchools portal. Seats run in both public schools and partner child-care centers across the borough.
Bilingual and culturally specific care
Queens stands out for language-matched programs: Mandarin- and Korean-language care around Flushing, Spanish-language programs across Jackson Heights, Corona, and Elmhurst, and South Asian community programs in eastern Queens. If you want care in your home language, Queens is one of the easiest places in the country to find it.
Subsidies and Head Start
For infants and toddlers, the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS) administers vouchers and subsidized EarlyLearn and Head Start seats, concentrated in higher-need areas such as Corona, Jamaica, and Far Rockaway. Center-based care is permitted by NYC DOHMH; family day care homes by NY State OCFS.
Neighborhoods and cost
Astoria and Long Island City have gentrified and command higher prices (full-time infant care can reach $1,900–$2,500/month), while Flushing, Jamaica, and southeast Queens are more affordable. Forest Hills and Rego Park sit in between. Licensed family child care homes — abundant in Queens — are usually the lowest-cost licensed option.
When to start looking
Apply for Pre-K and 3-K on the winter MySchools cycle. For infant care, tour early — demand is high in Astoria and LIC especially — and ask each program directly about home-language support if that matters to your family.
Childcare costs in Queens
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 Queens 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
- 69 kids
Largest licensed centers in Queens
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Queens licensed centers
Page 1 of 3Tap any card to view the full listing including the state license number, capacity, and inspection history when available.
Common parent questions about licensing, ratios, and how to compare programs in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Queens, New York?
What's the average daycare cost in Queens?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Queens daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Queens?
How do I verify a Queens daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Queens
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 Queens
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Queens, 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 662 Licensed Centers in Queens
Free, no signup, verified directly with NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services.