Questions NYC parents actually ask
How concerned should I be about a daycare violation?
Look at the type before the count. A wall in disrepair is a general violation. Not enough staff watching kids, or staff without background checks, are public health hazards, the top level. Then check if it was corrected and if it keeps coming back. Every daycare page here shows all three. See what violations mean.
How are people making daycare decisions?
Mostly walking distance, staff turnover, ratios, cleanliness and hours, then a tour. Parents on r/nycparents say no website replaces touring. Use this site to rule places out and to know what to ask about before you go.
What should I ask on a tour?
From a parent's list on r/nycparents: the daily routine, outside time, how many kids per caretaker, closing time, sick policy, and how meals work. Add: anything on the city inspection record that worries you.
When did you guys start putting your names down?
Early. One parent joined waitlists at 4 weeks pregnant and was still waiting at 12 weeks postpartum. Some Upper East Side places have 18 month to 2 year waitlists, while a Midtown center had none. It depends on the neighborhood and the age.
Why are infant spots so hard to find?
NYC has strict rules for babies under 1, and fewer centers take them at all. Of the programs on the city list, only those listed for 0 to 2 years take infants. Use the infant filter on search.
Is a home daycare on here?
No. Home daycares (family and group family day care) are licensed by New York State OCFS, not the city. Search them on the state site. This site covers city-licensed centers and school-based programs.
Why are the inspections from 2023 or earlier?
The city stopped adding new inspections to the public dataset after April 24, 2023. The list of active programs is current. For newer inspections, check NYC Child Care Connect or ask the center.
How much does daycare cost in NYC?
This site doesn't have prices yet. Parents on r/nycparents say to expect at least about $2k a month for full-time care.