Parents who are students can get free early childhood education for their young kids though LYFE. LYFE also provides counseling, referral services, and advocacy to help parents achieve their educational and parenting goals.
- Services are free to all eligible families, regardless of immigration status.
- LYFE's services also include:
- Counseling and referral services for parents.
- Helping student-parents graduate from high school or complete high school equivalency.
- There are over 30 LYFE locations in the five boroughs.
- LYFE is a NYC Department of Education program with certified teachers, trained paraprofessionals, and licensed social workers at each site.
Who is eligible
You may be eligible for LYFE if you answer yes to the following questions:
- Are you enrolled in or eligible to enroll in an NYC Department of Education school or program?
- Is your child between 6 weeks and 4 years old, and not age-eligible for Pre-K for All?
What you need to apply
- Proof of your child’s age
- A current copy of your child’s immunization records
- A Child & Adolescent Health Examination Form for your child
How to apply
Apply by mail or in person.
- Download the LYFE Enrollment Packet (English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, Haitian-Creole).
- Email your enrollment packet to [email protected] or mail it to:
LYFE Central Office
500 Eighth Avenue, Suite 709
New York, New York 10018
- Email your enrollment packet to [email protected] or mail it to:
- Apply at LYFE’s Central Office or a LYFE site.
- You can meet the LYFE team at LYFE sites, take a tour of the classroom, and learn about daily routines.
- The LYFE team will schedule an orientation appointment with you to review your enrollment documents and to get to know you and your family.
How to get help
- Visit the Living for the Young Family through Education website for more information.
- Send enrollment questions via the Enrollment Inquiry Form. A staff member will contact you.
- Call the LYFE Central Office at 212-609–8520 for help.
- Email LYFE at [email protected]
- Visit LYFE’s Central Office for any questions about LYFE.
- Call 311 and ask about the Living for the Young Family through Education (LYFE) program.
- Follow LYFE on Twitter or connect with LYFE on Facebook.
Other Child Care Programs
Child Care Vouchers
NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS)
Vouchers that help cover the cost of child care for children 6 weeks to 13 years old
Child care vouchers help pay for child care from licensed providers or informal providers like relatives, neighbors, or friends.
NYC Child Care Connect (NYC CCC)
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
Find a licensed child care program
An online resource that helps you find and stay informed about a child care program in your community.
Infants and Toddlers
NYC Department of Education (DOE)
Free or low-cost child care for children six weeks to two years old
Early child care and education services for up to 10 hours a day.
Updated June 8, 2022