Mayor Mamdani Launches NYC Free Child Care for Workers

New on-site child care program at David Dinkins Municipal Building will serve over 2,000 city employees

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:36am

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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the launch of New York City's first-ever on-site child care program for municipal employees, located at the David Dinkins Municipal Building. The free, full-day program will serve children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old and be open to all workers in the building as well as employees of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) across the city. The program aims to make it easier for city workers to afford child care and balance work and family responsibilities.

Why it matters

Providing free, on-site child care for municipal employees is expected to improve worker retention, productivity, and job satisfaction. It also aligns with the mayor's broader efforts to make New York City more affordable and accessible for working families by addressing the high cost of child care, which is a major financial burden and barrier to employment.

The details

The child care center will be located at the David Dinkins Municipal Building, which houses over 2,000 city employees from more than a dozen agencies. Applications for the 40 available spots will open on April 30th and be open to all workers in the building as well as DCAS employees citywide. The program will be managed by DCAS and operated by a contracted child care provider.

  • The child care center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026.
  • Applications for the program will open on April 30, 2026.

The players

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who announced the launch of the new child care program for municipal employees.

Yume Kitasei

Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the agency overseeing the new child care center.

Henry Garrido

Executive director of DC37, the labor union representing many city workers, who has been a supporter of the new child care initiative.

Mark Levine

New York City Comptroller, who praised the new child care program as an important benefit for city employees.

Jumaane Williams

New York City Public Advocate, who welcomed the new child care center as a valuable resource for working parents among city staff.

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What they’re saying

“This center is just one example, one step that our administration is taking to make it that little bit easier to keep calling this city New Yorkers' home.”

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

“We're excited to advance work on this municipal child care space. Both literally, as you can see around me. And figuratively, as we make some exciting announcements today.”

— Yume Kitasei, Commissioner, Department of Citywide Administrative Services

“Employee-provided child care is a major boost to employee retention and to recruiting top talent in the first place, so it's actually good for everyone all around.”

— Jumaane Williams, New York City Public Advocate

“This is an example of the mayor putting his money where his mouth is and actually doing for the workers what he promised he would do during the campaign.”

— Henry Garrido, Executive Director, DC37

“We directed every city agency and department to find $1.7 billion in savings over two fiscal years. And we made this directive to them with a focus on efficiency, on rooting out any instance of fraud or waste.”

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This new municipal child care program is an important step in making New York City more affordable and accessible for working families, by addressing the high cost of child care that has pushed many out of the city. It also demonstrates the city's commitment to supporting its workforce and improving employee retention and satisfaction.