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 five, 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.

Campaigns

Pre-K and 3-K Statewide

We’re fighting for free universal Pre-K and 3-K in every district in New York State - because outside NYC, most of the state is a child care desert.

2-Care for All

Parents with children under the age of 3 have few options for free child care - that’s why we’re fighting for free child care for ALL 2 year-olds in New York City.

What we’ve helped win

We organize parents to win access to child care programs. Here’s what our efforts have delivered so far.

12,000+

New York parents organizing together

$1B+

secured for free universal child care in
NYC and NYS

15,000+

new child care seats won - all free

AS
SEEN IN


The New Yorker

|

Gothamist

|

The New York Times

|

Bloomberg

|

Politico

|

The City

|

Crain's

|

WNYC

|

The New Yorker | Gothamist | The New York Times | Bloomberg | Politico | The City | Crain's | WNYC |

Read our recent media coverage

Gothamist

SEPT 9, 2026

Trying 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, 2026

Mamdani’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, 2026

NY 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.”