NYC's Free Child Care Now Open to Full Time Remote Students

NYC families with students enrolled in full-time remote learning can now sign up for free child care.

By Melissa Wickes February 4, 2021

Mayor Bill de Blasio and the city's Learning Bridges free child care program is now available for all families with students enrolled in full-time remote learning. The program was created for students 3-K to 8th grade and aims to help families manage online learning, according to AMNY. The NYC Department of Education's website states that Learning Bridges locations with available seats are now accepting students in 100 percent remote learning if care is needed.

The city is utilizing community centers, libraries, cultural organizations, and "whatever we can find in communities," de Blasio said, to accommodate students while following New York State health guidelines. For a full list of Learning Bridges locations throughout the city, click here. In order to enroll your child in a Learning Bridges free child care program, fill out the NYC Department of Education survey. Families can choose up to three preferred Learning Bridges sites on the application.

Melanie Hartzog, director of the NYC office of management and budget, said that activities include arts, recreation, tutoring, and field trips "where possible." Personal protective equipment like face coverings and hand sanitizer are provided by the city and only 15 students will be allowed to be in a classroom at any given time. Nurses are also available for on-site visits and telehealth for all programs from 7am-7pm.

“So many parents though have said that they can’t make it work if they don’t get more childcare,” de Blasio told AMNY reporters. “We’ve been trying to find every way to create new childcare and to build it from scratch, honestly.”

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