Licensed

Licensed Daycare in Staten Island, New York

277 licensed daycares in Staten Island, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official New York licensing records.

277
Licensed Centers
5
Preschool
$2,050/mo
New York avg infant
1:4
State infant ratio

Staten Island listings updated May 2026 from official New York records.

Daycare in Staten Island: what parents should know

There are 277 licensed childcare providers on record in Staten Island, with Family Daycare the most common type (about 41% 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, 5 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5.

Licensed care in Staten Island spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 44% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.

Together, licensed providers in Staten Island report capacity for roughly 12,511 children — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.

Staten Island childcare by the numbers

277
Licensed providers
12,511
Licensed child seats
123
Family child care homes
8+
ZIP codes covered
Local guide Researched for Staten Island · reviewed May 2026

The Staten Island childcare landscape

Staten Island is New York City's most suburban borough, and its childcare market feels different from the rest of the city — more car-dependent, lower-density, with a sharp split between the North Shore and South Shore. The same free citywide programs apply here as everywhere in NYC.

Free pre-K and 3-K

Staten Island 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 island districts) through NYC Public Schools — apply via the MySchools portal. Seats sit in both public schools and partner child-care centers.

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 on the more diverse North Shore. Center-based care is permitted by NYC DOHMH; family day care homes by NY State OCFS.

North Shore vs South Shore

The North Shore (St. George, Stapleton, Port Richmond) is denser and more diverse, with more bilingual and subsidized programs; the South Shore (Tottenville, Great Kills, Annadale) is suburban, with larger center-based programs and higher prices. Where you live on the island shapes both options and cost.

Cost and getting around

Staten Island runs below Manhattan and brownstone Brooklyn — full-time infant care commonly lands around $1,600–$2,200/month. Because the borough is car-oriented, parents weigh parking and drive time as much as price; many families also consider providers near the ferry or the expressway.

When to start looking

Apply for Pre-K and 3-K on the winter MySchools cycle. For infant care, tour early and join waitlists; popular South Shore centers fill ahead of the start date.

Childcare costs in Staten Island

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 Staten Island 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 overview

Quick 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
45 kids

All Staten Island licensed centers

Page 8 of 14

Each listing links to the full state-record details, including last inspection date if reported.

Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Staten Island, New York?
Our directory lists 277 licensed childcare centers in Staten Island, New York, sourced from NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.
What's the average daycare cost in Staten Island?
Statewide averages in New York run roughly $2050/month for infants and $1430/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Staten Island daycares?
All licensed New York centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:5 for toddlers, and 1:9 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Staten Island typically operate below these ceilings.
Are subsidies available for daycare in Staten Island?
New York families can apply for NY Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) (intake: (800) 345-5437). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.
How do I verify a Staten Island daycare's license?
Look up the provider directly in the official NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.

Where to get childcare help in Staten Island

Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.

Local CCR&R agency

Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.

1-800-424-2246 · Find yours
Dial 2-1-1

United Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.

Call 211 · 211.org
Head Start (free)

Free early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.

Find a program
State subsidy

NY Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.

(800) 345-5437 · How to apply
Quality ratings

Check NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.

Find quality care
Verify a license

Confirm any provider's current license & inspection record with NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services.

Official license search

How this data is sourced. Listings for Staten Island, 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 277 Licensed Centers in Staten Island

Free, no signup, verified directly with NY Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) — Division of Child Care Services.

selected