New York City is launching a major perk for its workforce with the city’s first-ever free, on-site child care pilot program. Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei announced that starting April 30, 2026, eligible city workers can begin applying for the service.
The program is specifically designed for employees based at the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street, along with all DCAS staff, regardless of where they are stationed. The center will operate year-round, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 6 PM. A $10 million renovation is currently transforming 4,000 square feet into a high-quality learning environment for roughly 40 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 3 years. By offering this care at no cost, the city estimates it will save working parents up to $20,000 annually.
“Change begins at home. As we deliver universal child care to New Yorkers, that work must include the public servants who keep this city running,” Mayor Mamdani said. “We are bringing year-round, no-cost child care right here to Lower Manhattan — not just saving families money, but giving them back hours of their time. No parent should have to spend hours commuting just to ensure their child is safe and cared for.”
The initiative aims to do more than just save money; it’s designed to boost employee retention and workplace morale. Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “As Mayor Mamdani has made clear, every family in New York City has a right to childcare, and that includes the families of the public workers who serve this city every day. This program will provide free, full-day, on-site care, helping children get a strong start while easing the burden on working parents.”
DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei echoed these sentiments, focusing on the well-being of the city’s staff. “At DCAS, we are focused on transforming our workplace for the future, namely, how can we make life more affordable, ease burdens, and foster a more supportive workplace for our staff,” Kitasei said. “We see this project as an answer to these questions — that by meeting workers where they are and providing on-site, free childcare, you will have City workers who are less stressed, healthier, and better able to serve New Yorkers.”
To qualify, applicants must be full-time DCAS employees or full-time city workers assigned to the 1 Centre Street location. Once applications open at the end of April, selected families will be notified in June, with the facility expected to officially open its doors this fall.
This move is part of a larger citywide expansion, including thousands of new 2-K and 3-K seats arriving later this year.
