The Mamdani administration will open the New York City’s first day care for the children of municipal workers next week.
The pilot program will open for 41 children on the ground floor of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building, which looms beside the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge at 1 Centre St. City officials said most of the parents work right upstairs at various city agencies, including the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the city comptroller’s office and the Office of the Public Advocate.
“This is something that the private sector sometimes thinks about, but it’s not something that we’ve done in city government before, so we’re really excited to try this,” said Yume Kitasei, commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. The agency will oversee the contract with the provider, Imagine Early Learning Centers.
Previous Mayor Eric Adams announced the program last year, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani increased funding for the pilot and expanded eligibility for more city workers to apply. It’s the latest addition to the city’s landscape of free childcare and builds on Mamdani’s commitment to build a universal childcare system beginning with free care for 2-year-olds starting next week.
Nearly 100 municipal workers applied for the program and were chosen by lottery. The Little Apple childcare space will run year-round and offer care from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — unlike the city’s other free preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds that offer six hours of care, unless parents cover additional hours.
The first day care for the children of city workers on the ground floor of the David N. Dinkins building at 1 Centre Street.
Karen Yi / Gothamist
The Dinkins Building’s former mail room was gutted to create spacious, light-filled classrooms for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old. Spaces are decorated with tiny bookshelves, sensory toys, toddler-sized sinks and a colorful playroom.
City employee Edward Cen said he feels lucky his family was able to nab a spot in the program for their 2-year-old son.
“ It feels like hitting the lottery in many ways,” said Cen, who estimates he’s saving $35,000 a year by not sending his child to the daycare he’d originally had in mind, where he’d have to pay out of pocket.
“Just being able to take my lunch breaks and pop in and see him, I think that really helps develop a bond,” he said.
The first day care for the children of city workers on the ground floor of the David N. Dinkins building at 1 Centre Street.
Karen Yi / Gothamist
While most parents work in the building, the program was also open to all 2,000 employees from the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the agency responsible for managing city office buildings.
Kitasei said she hopes that having on-site childcare will help reduce employees’ stress and make their lives easier, since they won’t have to worry about the hassle of dropping off their child and then getting to work.
“ In this case, you’re just going to work … and then you just take the elevator up. And then the best part is that if something happens during the day, you get a call, you need to come check on your kid, you can just come downstairs,” she said.
Parent Margaret Liu said she feels fortunate her twin daughters will be able to get free care. She estimates she’s probably saving $45,000 a year, with the additional perk of having their dad right upstairs.
“ He said he will come here during his lunch. He’s gonna pop in there. They’re gonna eat lunch together,” she said.
The first day care for the children of city workers on the ground floor of the David N. Dinkins building at 1 Centre Street.
Karen Yi / Gothamist
The program will cost $1.4 million to operate annually. City officials say it cost $10 million to build the facility.
Marina Gutierrez, the director of The Little Apple, said it’s a unique opportunity for parents of young kids.
“We’re gonna have opportunities for the families to come in and visit, breastfeed and spend time in the classrooms either reading a story, participating in activity, leading an activity,” she said.
“It’s giving back to city employees.”