We’re New Yorkers building
the power to win free
universal child care for all.
Child care shouldn’t be this expensive. We’re parents, grandparents, caregivers, and allies who are fed up with the soaring cost of child care — and we’re organizing to make it free for every family in New York. We’ve already won tens of thousands of free seats — and we’re just getting started.
Not Sure What Care Your Family Qualifies For?
Get our guide to learn more about your options for affordable child care and how to apply
What’s Universal Child Care?
Free
No cost to your family
Easy to apply
One simple application,
not a maze
Full-day
Full workday - not ending at 2:30
Near your home
In your neighborhood,
not across town
Full-year
All-year-round, including summer
Ages 0-5
From birth to kindergarten
Get Involved
Sign a petition
Add your voice and put the pressure on Albany and City Hall to pass free universal child care - from birth to 5, in every zip code.
Join an event
Meet other parents who want to win free child care for all. Free child care and snacks are provided.
Donate
Fund the fight for universal child care - every dollar pays for child care at meetings, signs at rallies, petitioning at playgrounds, and more.
What We’re Fighting For
Pre-K & 3-K Statewide
Outside NYC, most of the state is a child care desert. We’re fighting for free universal Pre-K and 3-K in every zip code in New York State.
2-Care for All
Parents with children under the age of 3 have few options for free child care. We need free child care for ALL 2 year-olds in New York City.
What We’ve Helped Win
12,000+
members across New York State
$1 billion+
for free universal child care in NYC and NYS
15,000+
new free child care seats
AS SEEN IN
The New Yorker
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Gothamist
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The New York Times
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Bloomberg
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Politico
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The City
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Crain's
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WNYC
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The New Yorker | Gothamist | The New York Times | Bloomberg | Politico | The City | Crain's | WNYC |
Recent Media Coverage
Gothamist
SEPT 9, 2026Trying to find free childcare in NYC? This guide can help.
“Parents say New York’s growing list of free or low-cost childcare programs can be confusing to navigate. Ahead of the new school year, the parent advocacy group New Yorkers United for Child Care released a guide to help families sort through the patchwork of offerings.”
Politico NY
AUG 4, 2026Mamdani’s child care money problem
“Rebecca Bailin, executive director of New Yorkers United for Child Care, touted the 2K results and the city’s progress, but signaled she plans to push the mayor and the governor to find a way to fund future years of the initiative.”
Gannett
JUN 30, 2026NY child care expansion is a lifesaver for working families
“New York is on the pathway to universal child care - and that didn’t happen by accident. Across the state, parents who'd been hitting their breaking point for far too long came together to push for something better.”
Press Inquiries:
press@united4childcare.org