Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced a new $3 million Emergency Microgrant Fund to support licensed home-based child care providers across New York City. The fund will provide direct financial assistance to providers facing urgent emergencies that threaten their ability to remain open and continue serving families. As the first step in launching the program, the City today issued a request for proposals (RFP) to identify an organization to administer the fund.
"Home-based child care providers are the backbone of our child care system. They should not have to shoulder emergencies on their own. When a refrigerator breaks, a pipe bursts or a storm damages a home, families can lose access to the care they rely on overnight," said Mayor Mamdani. "This microgrant program is about making sure government shows up before a crisis becomes a closure. It's one more step toward building a child care system that values every provider and every family."
"For too long, our child care system hasn't had the infrastructure in place to help providers weather unexpected emergencies. This new microgrant program recognizes that home-based child care providers are essential to our city's child care system," said Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. "We designed this initiative alongside child care providers themselves because the best public policy is built with the people it serves."
Home-based child care providers are a vital part of New York City's early child care ecosystem, serving up to 100,000 children linguistic and culturally responsive care directly within their communities. Through the new fund, more than 500 licensed providers will be eligible for emergency microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to address urgent needs that could otherwise disrupt or end their operations.
The Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education will work with the selected administrator to finalize the program's design and launch the initiative before the end of 2026.
The Emergency Microgrant Fund was co-designed by the Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education and a working group of home-based child care providers and advocates. Together, they identified emergency financial assistance as a top priority and collaborated to design the initiative's guiding principles, goals and eligibility.
In April, Mayor Mamdani launched the Child Care Action Fund through the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to help build a high-quality universal child care system that supports families, educators and providers. The microgrant program will be funded through the Child Care Action Fund and complements the administration's broader investments in free, accessible and universal child care.
"For so many of us that rely on home-based providers, we know how a single maintenance issue in their home can impact not only the service they provide, but their livelihood too," said Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, Chair for the Subcommittee on Early Childcare Education. "We've heard from so many providers who often take matters into their own hands rather than wait on their nonresponsive landlord. This microgrant could provide a small safety net in these instances, so that they can continue operating safely and pay their staff. I am so grateful Mayor Mamdani and the Mayor's Office of Child Care continue to work closely with providers to offer real solutions and support working families."
"Home-based childcare providers are the backbone of our early childhood system, caring for our youngest New Yorkers while allowing parents to work, attend school, and support their families. Yet too many providers operate on razor-thin margins, where one unexpected emergency can force them to close their doors. I applaud Mayor Mamdani for establishing this $3 million Emergency Microgrant Fund to provide the timely support these small businesses need to remain open and continue serving our communities. As Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Higher Education and a lifelong educator, I know that strengthening the educational pipeline begins with investing in our youngest learners and the dedicated caregivers who nurture them every day. This investment is an important step toward ensuring that families have access to stable, high-quality childcare and that the providers who make that care possible receive the support they deserve," said Council Member Rita Joseph.
"Too often, we treat child care as a family issue when it is also an economic issue. Working parents cannot stay in the workforce without reliable child care, and for thousands of New York City families, licensed home-based child care is what makes work possible. Supporting these providers strengthens families, neighborhoods, our city's economy and quality early education teaching. I thank Mayor Mamdani for making this investment," said Council Member Gale A. Brewer.
"Securing childcare for all means investing in all forms of childcare, including supporting home-based providers that are already providing critical support to working families. I applaud the Mayor for this microgrant initiative," said Councilwoman Kayla Santosuosso.
"Family child care providers are the backbone of New York City's early childhood system, yet they are often the first to face hardship and the last to receive support. This microgrant fund recognizes that when we invest in providers, we protect children, families and entire communities. It's an important step toward building a stronger, more equitable child care system where no provider has to face a crisis alone," said Gladys Jones, Founder & CEO, ECE on the Move, member of the Microgrant working group.
"This microgrant fund shows what's possible when providers, partners, and the city unite for early childhood education. Every investment in childcare strengthens families and communities. I'm proud to have been part of this work and excited to see it reach the providers who give so much to children every day," said Ayan Wilson, home-based child care provider in the Bronx, member of the Microgrant working group.
