New York City Launches Free Child Care for Municipal Workers

Zohran Mamdani, along with the New York City Mayor and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei, announced a pioneering free child care program for municipal workers.

This program will be open to all municipal workers, starting with those based at the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building and all DCAS employees, regardless of their work location.

Applications for the program will begin to be accepted on April 30, 2026.

The child care program will be located in the municipal building, one of the largest government buildings in the world, which houses more than 2,000 employees from various agencies.

The facilities, which will cover 4,000 square feet, are undergoing renovation with an investment of $10 million and are expected to be ready this fall.

It will offer full-day care for children from six weeks to three years old.

The child care program will operate Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., year-round, on the ground floor of the North Tower of the municipal building, according to the Mayor's Office.

The program will be managed in-house by DCAS and operated by a contracted child care provider, with an announcement expected later this spring.

Mamdani emphasized the importance of not forcing workers to choose between their job and raising their children in the city.

Mamdani highlighted that the program seeks to bridge the gap between employees' work and parental responsibilities.

According to Mamdani, finding affordable child care has been an obstacle for many employees.

The program aims to ensure that workers do not have to choose between their employment and raising their children in the city.

Senator Bernie Sanders also expressed his support for the program, highlighting the need for free child care for families in New York and nationwide.

In a tweet from March 30, 2026, CSPAN reported on the announcement by the New York City Mayor about the free child care center for government workers.

Mamdani stated that the program will provide 100% free child care.