Licensed Daycare in Manhattan, New York

Q: How many licensed daycare centers are in Manhattan, New York?

Our directory lists 518 licensed childcare centers in Manhattan, 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.

Q: What's the average daycare cost in Manhattan?

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.

Q: What staff-to-child ratios apply in Manhattan 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 Manhattan typically operate below these ceilings.

Q: Are subsidies available for daycare in Manhattan?

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 .

Every center listed below is sourced directly from the state's child care licensing registry — no paid placement, no editorial picks, no hidden referral fees.

518

Licensed Centers

102

Infant Spots

$2,050/mo

New York avg infant

1:4

State infant ratio

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 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: 52 kids

ZIP codes covered

10025 35 10029 29 10002 26 10023 23 10128 22 10027 22 10013 19 10024 18

Program types in Manhattan

How many licensed daycare centers are in Manhattan, New York?

Our directory lists 518 licensed childcare centers in Manhattan, 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 Manhattan?

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 Manhattan 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 Manhattan typically operate below these ceilings.

Are subsidies available for daycare in Manhattan?

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 Manhattan 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.