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New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced the launch of the city’s first-ever Municipal Child Care Pilot Program, a $10 million initiative that will provide on-site and affordable child care for employees of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) with children as young as six weeks old.

Set to begin operations in September 2026, the pilot project is part of the Adams administration’s broader plan to strengthen support for working families, improve employee retention, and enhance the city’s reputation as a competitive and family-friendly employer.

“Making New York City the best place to raise a family means that families shouldn’t have to live in fear that paying for child care will break their bank,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “We’re making our city more family-friendly by launching the first-ever Municipal Child Care Pilot Program, providing on-site, affordable child care for free to public servants who dedicate themselves to serving New Yorkers. This bold investment delivers peace of mind and puts money back into the pockets of working-class families.”

The child care facility will be located on the ground floor of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building, North Tower, in Lower Manhattan—the headquarters of DCAS and a central hub for city operations. The project will renovate approximately 4,000 square feet to accommodate up to 40 children, with completion expected by spring 2026.

Design and construction will be managed in-house by DCAS, while a qualified contracted provider will operate the facility. Eligibility criteria for participating employees are being developed in collaboration with the Office of Labor Relations and municipal unions.

“City employees should not have to choose between their commitment to public service and their commitment to parenthood,” said Deputy Mayor for Administration and Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack. “At a time when city government is competing with the private sector, initiatives like this are crucial to providing flexible work benefits for families.”

“Affordable child care is not only a family issue — it’s a workforce, quality-of-life, and economic development issue,” added DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “Through this pilot, we’re transforming underutilized space into a meaningful benefit for our workforce and reinforcing the City of New York as an attractive employer for dedicated public servants.”

The New York City Office of Labor Relations Commissioner, Renee Campion, praised the initiative as a vital support mechanism for municipal workers.

“This pilot will provide needed support to employees and help inform future efforts to enhance family benefits,” she said.

City leaders and partners also welcomed the move as a progressive step toward a more equitable and family-supportive workplace.

“This pilot will help retain and recruit talented municipal employees and strengthen the city’s commitment to equity and family well-being,” said Councilmember Gale A. Brewer.

“By offering on-site child care, DCAS is helping city agencies attract and retain dedicated parents who are equally committed to their families and our city,” added Small Business Services Commissioner Dynishal Gross.

“Paying for quality child care remains one of the biggest barriers for working families,” noted Henry Garrido, Executive Director of District Council 37 AFSCME, AFL-CIO. “This program is a meaningful step toward making child care more affordable and accessible for city workers.”

Part of a Broader Push for Family Affordability

The child care pilot aligns with a series of family-centered investments under the Adams administration. Recent initiatives include:

The Creating Real Impact at Birth (CRIB) program, connecting pregnant New Yorkers in shelters with housing vouchers for stability.

A $7 million expansion of the Fatherhood Initiative, supporting fathers in reconnecting with their children and improving parenting skills.

A child care initiative for children aged 0–2, moving the city toward universal child care for low-income families.

Record enrollment of 150,000 children across NYC’s early childhood education system.

Mayor Adams’ administration has also reduced out-of-pocket child care costs for a family of four from $55 per week in 2022 to $5 per week with subsidies and met the historic goal of offering a 3-K seat to every child who applied on time.

In addition, over the Fiscal Year 2025 budget cycle, the administration protected more than $600 million in key education programs — including Summer Rising, 3-K expansion, special education pre-K, community schools, and arts education — ensuring continuity of critical learning opportunities for New York City’s children.