Manny Cantor Center provides infant daycare on the Lower East Side for families who need warm, reliable, developmentally rich care for their youngest children. Our Infant, Toddler & Twos program serves children from roughly 6 weeks to 3 years in dedicated classrooms designed for safe exploration and close, trusting relationships with experienced teachers.

As a program of the nonprofit Educational Alliance, we treat infant and toddler care as the foundation of a child’s whole development — not just supervision, but a nurturing environment where babies and toddlers feel secure enough to explore, play, and grow every day.

Our Infants, Toddlers, and Twos program offers children 3 to 36 months the opportunity to explore inspiring and supporting learning environments, while building joyful relationships with peers and teachers. In partnership with families, we support each child’s unique development by drawing connections between home and school. Caregiving routines such as feeding and diapering are relished as important opportunities for building trust, confidence, and dialogue. Teachers listen to what children communicate—verbally and non-verbally—as they construct a curriculum and classroom environment informed by children’s evolving interests and abilities.  

Enrollment & Tuition: Two Ways to Join Our Infant Center

We offer two enrollment pathways so families across the Lower East Side can access our infant and toddler daycare regardless of income. Half of all Infant, Toddler & Twos seats are tuition-funded; the other half are fully covered through Early Head Start — a federal program that provides free daycare to income-eligible families.

• Tuition seats: Families pay tuition on a standard schedule. Tuition information is available via the link below; our team can walk you through rates and any available subsidy options.
• Early Head Start seats: Tuition-free for qualifying families. Eligibility is income-based; our admissions team will guide you through the application and qualification steps.

All enrolled children receive breakfast, lunch, and a daily snack at no additional charge, as well as complimentary diapers at school. Limited fee-based aftercare is also available.

Spaces are limited and fill quickly. Apply today or schedule a tour to get started.

2026-2027 School Year Admission Timeline

December 2025: Infants, Toddlers, and Twos online application opens for both tuition and Early Head Start seats. 

Mid-February 2026: Notifications are sent to new families who applied for tuition-funded seats by the priority application deadline. Offers made based on availability. 

Late February 2026: New family tuition contracts and deposits due; remaining tuition seats are filled on a rolling basis. 

Late February 2026: Notifications are sent to new families who applied to Early Head Start seats; offers are made based on both eligibility and availability.   

Ongoing: Remaining seats filled on a rolling basis; new families interested in being considered for the waitlist are welcome to apply, in case there is availability during the school year.  

September 2026: School year begins. 

Our Infant Center: Care from 6 Weeks Old

Our infant center welcomes babies from approximately 6 weeks of age. Infant classrooms follow each baby’s individual rhythm for feeding, sleeping, and play, and our teachers partner closely with families to keep routines consistent between home and school.

Days are filled with tummy time, sensory exploration, music, and one-on-one connection — the building blocks of early brain development — in calm, carefully prepared spaces. Our infant-to-teacher ratios meet New York City childcare licensing requirements, ensuring every baby receives responsive, attentive care.

Toddlers & Twos: A Baby Program That Grows With Your Child

As babies become toddlers, our program grows with them. Toddler and twos classrooms offer more movement, language, and hands-on discovery, helping children build independence, early communication, and social skills alongside their peers.

Because our infant, toddler, and twos classrooms share one campus and one educational philosophy, the transition from one room to the next is gradual and familiar — a comfortable next step in a Lower East Side baby program children already know and trust. Teachers document each child’s progress and share it regularly with families so caregiving stays consistent between school and home.

Experienced Teachers and a Nurturing Environment

Our Infant, Toddler & Twos classrooms are staffed by experienced early childhood educators with backgrounds in child development, maintained at low child-to-teacher ratios appropriate to each age group in accordance with NYC Department of Health licensing requirements. Every teacher is trained to build the kind of stable, caring relationships that very young children need to feel safe and thrive.

Health and safety practices follow strict protocols: classrooms are cleaned and sanitized daily, and teachers are trained in infant/toddler first aid and CPR. We encourage family visits and maintain open communication so parents and caregivers always know how their child’s day is going.

Note: For current specific ratios and staff credentials, please contact our admissions team at enrollment@mannycantor.org or (646) 395-4250 — these details follow NYC licensing requirements and may be updated seasonally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages does MCC’s infant and toddler program serve?

MCC’s Infant, Toddler & Twos program serves children from roughly 6 weeks to 3 years old, with classrooms grouped by developmental stage. It is located on the Lower East Side at 197 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002.

Does MCC offer infant daycare on the Lower East Side?

Yes. Manny Cantor Center offers full infant and toddler daycare on the Lower East Side, run by the nonprofit Educational Alliance. Care begins as early as approximately 6 weeks of age in a nurturing, play-based setting.

How much does infant and toddler daycare cost at MCC?

MCC’s Infant, Toddler & Twos program offers both tuition-funded seats and free Early Head Start seats for income-eligible families. As a nonprofit community program, MCC works with families on affordability — contact admissions at enrollment@mannycantor.org or (646) 395-4250 for current rates and Early Head Start eligibility information.

How do I enroll my baby at MCC?

Infant and toddler spaces are limited and fill on a rolling basis, so families are encouraged to reach out early. The best first step is to schedule a tour to see the classrooms and meet teachers; from there, our admissions team will walk you through the application, tuition, and any subsidy options.

Is aftercare available for infants and toddlers at MCC?

Yes, limited fee-based aftercare is available for enrolled children. Contact our admissions team for current availability and rates.