How to Apply: Infant / Toddler Programs in New York City

A "how to" guide to help you complete, and submit an application for Infant / Toddler programs in New York City

What is Infant/Toddler?

The Department of Education (DOE) provides a number of free or low-cost child care programs for families that qualify. These programs provide early care and education for children from six weeks up to 3 years old (who are not yet eligible for 3K) in center, home, or school based settings, all year round for up to ten hours a day. If you qualify, and there is a seat available, your child can begin a program anytime during the year. If your first-choice program doesn’t have space, the DOE will help you find other options. Infant / Toddler Programs are only available to New York City residents within the 5 boroughs.

How do I apply for Infant / Toddler?

You can apply online via the MyCity portal with support from the MySchools portal. We’ll walk you through this process step-by-step.

If you do not currently have a provider and need to find one, visit the NYC Childcare Navigator and filter to EarlyLearn.

Immigration Status Requirements

The child needing care must have a “qualified” status: U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, refugee, asylee, certain type of parole status and other statuses. During the application process, the parent will be asked to submit documentation verifying satisfactory immigration status.

How long does it take to receive a voucher?

There is a 30 day processing period from the time your application is finished and approved to the voucher distribution.

What does the process look like?

Step 1: Register and set up an account with MyCity online (mycity.nyc.gov).

Step 2: Navigate to the “Contracted Care” program and click “Select Contracted Care”. Fill out the online application and upload the corresponding documents (don’t worry! We’ve got a list of those for you).

Step 3: When applying, a parent can either include the provider of their choosing if they know it, or leave that section blank.

To find a provider: Visit the NYC Childcare Navigator provider search tool. Select your borough or enter your zip code. Then set the Financial Assistance filter to "Infant-Toddler Extended Day (EarlyLearn) Contracted Care Subsidy"

Step 4: Submit your application

Step 5: Your application gets assigned to a case worker

Step 6: Your assigned case worker will reach out to you to finalize your application

Step 7: Your application enters a 30 day processing period

Step 8: Enroll your child with the provider you selected

Step 9: Voucher distributed to provider

When filling out the application you’ll be asked to provide things like Social Security Numbers for you, your partner/spouse, and your children - so make sure you have those handy!

You’ll also be asked if you receive any income outside of your employment (i.e. Alimony, Child Support, Social Security) so it’s best if you have that information when you fill out your application.

What documentation is required when I fill out my application?

Filling out an application online takes about 30 minutes - 1 hour, if you have your documents ready, it will be faster. Put the kids to bed, pull out your phone or computer and get started!

New York City Residency Documentation

You will need to upload ONE of the following documents:

IDNYC

Driver’s License

Utility Bill (dated within the last 60 days, with your address)

Current lease, rent, or mortgage statement (dated within the last 60 days, with your address)

Section 8 Award Letter

NYCHA Certificate

CFWB-027 Housing Attestation with address listed

Shelter Residency Letter with address listed

Employment and Income

If you are employed and receive paystubs, you must submit them to confirm your income. The number of paystubs you must submit varies by how often you get paid and whether your payment amount is the same or different each time you are paid. If you have more than one job, make sure you submit paystubs for BOTH your employers.

Please use the following logic for your paystubs:

IF you get paid weekly AND it is the same amount THEN submit 4 most recent consecutive paystubs

IF you get paid bi-weekly AND it is the same amount THEN submit 2 most recent consecutive paystubs

IF you get paid semi-monthly AND it is the same amount THEN submit 2 most recent consecutive paystubs

IF you get paid monthly AND it is the same amount THEN submit 3 most recent consecutive paystubs

IF you get paid weekly AND it is different amounts THEN submit 12 most recent consecutive paystubs

IF you get paid bi-weekly AND it is different amounts THEN submit 6 most recent consecutive paystubs

IF you get paid semi-monthly AND it is different amounts THEN 6 most recent consecutive paystubs

IF you get paid monthly AND it is different amounts THEN submit 3 most recent consecutive paystubs

Documentation for your children needing care

You will need to upload ONE of the following for each category:

Citizenship or Immigration Status

Birth Certificate from US state or territory

Alien Registration Card including Permanent Resident or Green Card

Passport

FS-240 (Consular Report of Birth Abroad)

Naturalization Certificate

Other documentation that proves child’s immigration status

Child’s relationship to You (the applicant)

Birth certificate

Adoption record

Baptismal record

Passport with parent's signature

Court order for legal guardian with financial responsibility

Letter of guardianship

Other - CFWB-058 Caretaker Attestation

Age of Children

Birth certificate

Adoption record

Baptismal record

Alien Registration Card

Passport

Official hospital documentation of the child’s birth

Reason for Care (submit ONLY if this situation applies to you)

Participating in an Educational or Vocational Training Program

You will need to upload ONE of the following documents

CFWB-005 Vocational, Education and Training Verification Form

A letter from the educational or vocational training program on their official letterhead; this letter must contain all the information required in the CFWB-005 Vocational, Education and Training Verification Form.

Looking for Work

You will need to upload ONE of the following documents

CFWB-026 Work Search Record Form

Approved work search plan from the NYS Dept. of Labor

Proof of receipt of unemployment insurance

Experiencing Homelessness

You will need to upload ONE of the following documents to confirm that you are experiencing homelessness.

Shelter Residency Letter (If living in Shelter, including Humanitarian Emergency Relief Centers)

CFWB-027 Housing Attestation (If living doubled-up, in a place not meant for human habitation, in a hotel/motel, or in another living situation)

Attending Services for Domestic Violence

You will need to upload a referral for services from a domestic violence service provider to confirm that you are attending services for domestic violence.

Attending Services for Substance Abuse Treatment

You will need to upload a referral for a substance abuse treatment service provider to confirm that you are attending services for substance abuse treatment.

Who do I contact about my application status?

Once your application is submitted via the MyCity portal, you can log back in to check the status of your application or call 311.

If you have any additional questions, or would like to chat with a Mirza Applications Specialist, please email support@heymirza.com.

Last updated August 26, 2026