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Daycare in Ithaca, NY

37 licensed or registered programs in Ithaca (Tompkins County): 12 child care centers, 12 school-age programs, 9 group child care homes and 4 family child care homes. Together they're licensed for 2,238 children.

Short answer

Infant care at a center costs a median $289 a week in Tompkins County (2022 prices), $200 at a family child care home. New York's child care subsidy, Child Care Assistance Program, helps pay if a family of three earns up to $95,397. Call ahead: licensed spots aren't open spots.

Sources: New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Care Services; New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as of October 2026. Outside New York City: day care centers, small day care centers, school-age programs, family day care homes and group family day care homes that OCFS lists as licensed or registered. In New York City, family and group family day care homes and school-age programs come from OCFS, and group child care centers and school-based child care programs come from the NYC Health Department's list of active programs (search them at https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/ChildCare/). Openings change daily, so call first.

What daycare costs in Tompkins County

$289/weekmedian for full-time infant care at a center ($15,028 a year) in 2022, before inflation since.

WeeklyCenterHome daycare
Infant$289$200
Toddler$275$200
Preschool$255$198

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of 2022.

12 child care centers in Ithaca

Licensed centers, A to Z, with street addresses.

9 group child care homes in Ithaca

Licensed care in a provider's home for a larger group. Shown by city and phone only, since the address is a home.

4 family child care homes in Ithaca

Licensed care in a provider's own home. Shown by city and phone only, since the address is a home.

12 school-age programs in Ithaca

Before- and after-school and summer programs for school-age children.

How can I get help paying for daycare in Ithaca?

Child Care Assistance Program pays part of the bill at a licensed provider you choose; you pay a copay based on income. If your income is at or below the poverty line, Head Start and Early Head Start are free.

Help paying in New York

Child Care Assistance Program, run by New York State Office of Children and Family Services

$95,397a year or less for a family of three to start (85% of state median income), as of June 2025. You also need to work, study or train.

Some areasNew families may wait (September 2025)
How to apply

Sources: New York State Office of Children and Family Services; National Women's Law Center

Daycare in Ithaca: common questions

How much does daycare cost in Ithaca, NY?

In Tompkins County, full-time infant care at a child care center had a median price of $289 a week ($15,028 a year) in 2022, and preschool care $255 a week. A family child care home charged a median $200 a week for an infant. These prices come from the U.S. Department of Labor and aren't adjusted for inflation, so expect higher rates today.

How many licensed daycares are in Ithaca?

New York's list shows 37 licensed or registered programs in Ithaca as of October 2026: 12 child care centers, 12 school-age programs, 9 group child care homes and 4 family child care homes. Together they're licensed for 2,238 children, though licensed capacity isn't the same as open spots.

Can I get help paying for daycare in Ithaca?

Yes, if you qualify. Child Care Assistance Program, run by New York State Office of Children and Family Services, pays part of the cost at a provider you choose. A family of three can earn up to $95,397 a year to start. Ithaca also has 9 free Head Start and Early Head Start centers for families who qualify.

How do I know a daycare is licensed?

Every program on this page is on New York's list of active licensed or registered programs, with its license number. Look up the record before you tour: it shows the ages and number of children the program is licensed for and its inspection history.

Sources

  1. 1.Child Care Regulated Programs New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Care Services. Accessed October 16, 2026.
  2. 2.Active NYC Health Code Regulated Child Care Programs New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Accessed October 16, 2026.
  3. 3.National Database of Childcare Prices: 2008-2022 (Data File) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  4. 4.National Database of Childcare Prices Technical Report (September 2024) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  5. 5.Child Care Assistance Program New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  6. 6.New York: Financial Assistance Resources for Families (last reviewed 2026-09-29) Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  7. 7.Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025 National Women's Law Center. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  8. 8.CCDF Family Co-Payments by State (January 2025) Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  9. 9.42 U.S. Code 9858n, Definitions (Child Care and Development Block Grant Act) Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (U.S. Code). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  10. 10.Understanding and finding child care in New York Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 16, 2026.

Other benefits in New York

Having a baby in New York Benefits, each with its source, checked October 2026 Pregnancy Medicaid Up to 223% FPL WIC Yes Paid family leave Yes Medicaid pays for a doula Yes See New York

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