New York State Office of Children and Family Services Launches New Family Guide to Child Care and Early Childhood Resources

Guide Includes Enhanced, User-Friendly Child Care Search Tool and Other Resources for Families

Initiative Fulfills Governor Hochul’s State of the State Goal to Create Online Parent Resource Center

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services today announced the launch of a new online Family Guide to Child Care and Early Childhood Resources, including an enhanced, user-friendly child care search tool, to help families more easily access information on finding and paying for child care and on child development and school readiness.

“Real time informa tion is valuable to most people, and particularly of great use to those seeking child care resources,” said OCFS Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden. “Governor Hochul has expanded opportuni ties exponentially for children to participate in safe and affordable early childhood experi ences and programs. The expansion was designed to include resources that help families navigate complex systems. To ease the burdens of identifying appropriate child care opportunities and financial supports, OCFS developed this new web based guide that will make it easier for families to find affordable child care and additional resources in real time.”

With the goal of streamlining information and resources shared with parents and families, Governor Kathy Hochul in her 2025 State of the State address directed OCFS to launch a parent resource center webpage that would allow New York parents, caregivers and families to access information and resources about how to find child care, how to pay for child care and information on child development and school readiness. This new guide fulfills that goal.

The Family Guide to Child Care and Early Childhood Resources can be found under the Division of Child Care Services (DCCS) page on the OCFS website. Visit ocfs.ny.gov/pro grams/childcare/families to learn more and access the guide.

The guide connects parents and caregivers with trusted information on child care, financial assistance, health and safety, and early learning. These resources help families make informed decisions and find services they need across New York State. The enhanced child care search tool enables families to search for child care providers by address or proximity to care (including the ability to search for care between two addresses, such as the parent’s home and work location), hours of care needed, program type, and program staff’s ability to administer medication, including emergency epinephrine.

“Searching for child care is one of the main reasons families come to the OCFS DCCS webpage and making this function more user friendly aligns with Gov ernor Hochul’s goal out lined in 2025,” said OCFS Deputy Commissioner for Child Care Services Nora Yates. “Not only are we delivering on a State of the State goal, but we are making it easier for families to access resources on child care and search for child care. With the investments the Governor is putting into the system, it is important that there are clear places families can go to learn more about OCFS DCCS, the services we provide, and the programs we regulate.”

Other resources on the new webpage include links to information and the application for the New York State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and a Parent’s and Caregiver’s Guide to Child Care, as well as information on safe sleep practices, health and safety resources, early childhood development, and school-age supports.

The initiative is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s ongoing efforts to improve child care services statewide, including a historic, multi-year $8 billion investment in expand ing families’ access to affordable, high-quality child care.

The 2026-27 Enacted State Budget invests an unprecedented $4.5 billion in child care and pre-kindergarten – a $1.7 billion increase that is projected to provide thousands of additional families with affordable child care. Governor Hochul is increasing funding for CCAP alone by $1.2 billion. This historic investment will bring the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding up to $3 billion -- a 40% year over-year increase that grows the program to 3.5 times what it was when Governor Hochul took office.

The budget also invests over $60 million in the “First 3” universal child care pilot programs in Broome, Dutchess, and Monroe counties for children ages 0-3, and $73 million in New York City’s 2-Care program.