Community Resources
Support for families from the first years through graduation: finding and paying for child care, free early learning programs, help for young children's development, and tutoring and mentoring for school-age kids.
Child care
Free help finding quality, regulated child care, and programs that help cover the cost.
🧸
Free for parents
The county's child care resource and referral agency, part of Chautauqua Opportunities. It offers free referrals to regulated child care, and helps families understand their options and how to pay for care.
🔎
New York State
Search every state-regulated child care center, family day care and school-age program by county or ZIP code. Each listing includes contact info, capacity and inspection history.
Help paying for child care
New York's Child Care Assistance Program helps eligible families pay for child care while parents work, look for work or go to school. Families earning up to 85% of the state median income can qualify (roughly $116,000 a year for a family of four), and family copays are kept low.
Good to know: funding is tight statewide and some New York counties have paused new enrollments. Call Chautauqua County's Child Care Team to check current availability and set up a pre-screen appointment.
Birth to age 5
Free programs that give young children a strong start and support families along the way.
🎒
Pregnancy to age 5 · Free
Free early learning and family support from Chautauqua Opportunities, in classrooms and through home visits. Serves pregnant women and children from birth to age 5 in eligible families, including families who are homeless, in foster care, or receive TANF or SSI.
🌱
Birth to age 3 · Free
Concerned about your baby's or toddler's development? The county's Early Intervention program offers free evaluations and services like speech and physical therapy, often right at home. You or your doctor can make a referral.
🖍️
Age 4 · Free
New York's Universal Pre-K is free for 4-year-olds, and eligibility is based only on your child's age and where you live. Contact your local school district to find programs and enroll. Concerned about a 3- to 5-year-old's development? Ask your district about preschool special education.
School-age kids
Programs that help kids grow academically, socially and physically.
Grades K–12
A Jamestown nonprofit with programs in north and south county: K–12 tutoring, enrichment and workshops, one-on-one mentoring, social-emotional learning groups, and youth running and wellness programs.
📚
All ages · Free
Story times, children's programs, and free eBooks and audiobooks with your library card. Find hours and locations for all 24 libraries in Chautauqua County.
Help us keep this guide complete and up to date for local families.
Stay tuned
Subscribe to the My CHQ newsletter for the latest events, businesses, resources, and local news delivered to your inbox.