Free Child Care
Apply for Free Child Care in Cheektowaga
Many Families Already Qualify, You Might Too
Child care costs shouldn’t stand between your family and quality care. Many families in Cheektowaga already qualify for free or subsidized child care through New York State assistance programs, and a lot of them don’t realize it until they actually check.
Eligibility depends on things like household size, income, and work or school status, and the process is simpler than most people expect. We can walk you through what’s needed and help you figure out where you stand, no pressure, no obligation.
Who May Qualify for New York Child Care Assistance
New York’s child care assistance program helps working families afford quality care. Many families in Cheektowaga already qualify and don’t realize it. You may be eligible if you:
Employment of any schedule can count toward eligibility—including part-time and gig work.
Parents enrolled in school or an approved job-training program may also qualify for child care assistance.
Eligibility is based on household size and monthly income—and limits are higher than most families expect.
Once approved, the State pays your child care costs directly to us and we complete your enrollment. Many families are surprised to find they qualify even with higher incomes, thanks to recent updates in eligibility thresholds.
How the Child Care Assistance Program Works
If approved through New York’s Child Care Assistance Program, the state pays all or most of your child care costs directly to Little Angels. Depending on your family’s circumstances, you may pay little or nothing out of pocket. Here’s how to get started.
Families list a preferred child care provider on their application. Schedule a tour to see our center, then select Little Angels as your provider when applying.
Our team has helped many families through this process before. We’ll help you gather documents and fill out the application so nothing holds up your approval.
Once approved, we’ll finish enrollment with you. Depending on your eligibility, your costs may be fully or partially covered.
We’ll Help You Every Step of the Way
More Ways to Save: Tax Credits and Childcare FSAs
In addition to New York’s Child Care Assistance Program, eligible families may be able to lower their child care costs through federal tax credits and employer sponsored dependent care benefits. Eligibility and savings depend on each family’s circumstances.
For the 2025 tax year, eligible families may claim up to $2,200 per qualifying child. Up to $1,700 per qualifying child may be refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit, depending on income and eligibility. View Child Tax Credit information.
Families who pay for qualifying care so they can work or look for work may be eligible for this credit. Beginning in 2026, the credit may equal up to 50% of qualifying expenses, depending on income. Eligible expenses are generally limited to $3,000 for one qualifying person or $6,000 for two or more qualifying people. View Child and Dependent Care Credit information.
If offered by your employer, a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account may allow you to use up to $7,500 in pre-tax income during 2026 for eligible dependent care expenses. The limit is generally $3,750 when married filing separately. Eligible daycare expenses may include care provided by Little Angels, subject to IRS requirements. View IRS dependent care benefit information.
The Earned Income Tax Credit provides a tax break for certain low to moderate income workers and families. If eligible, it may reduce the amount of tax owed and may increase the family’s refund. Check Earned Income Tax Credit eligibility.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not tax advice. Eligibility and benefit amounts vary. Families should consult the IRS or a qualified tax professional.
