Family Day Care Registration

Family Day Care offers child care in a family home. This care is for more than three hours per day per child. It can include:

• Three to six children, ages six weeks to 12 years
• Plus two more school-age children

One staff member can care for:

• Up to six children younger than school age
• Eight children if at least two are school-aged

There must always be one caregiver for every two children under the age of two.

Requirements to operate a Family Day Care

To operate a Family Day Care, you must:

• Complete an online Orientation Session.
• Request an application after finishing the Orientation.

Post-application requirements

After submitting an application, you must:

• Attend a 15-hour Health and Safety Training.
• Submit all documents and clearances within 90 days. This includes fingerprinting and background checks.
• Complete 30 hours of training in nine topic areas every two years. You must finish 15 of these hours within the first six months of employment. See Child Care Training Requirements for more information.
• Take the Foundations in Health and Safety course within three months of hire. This includes providers, assistants, substitutes and volunteers.
• Have at least one staff member trained in both Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. The CPR and first aid certificates must match the ages of children in care.
• Take Medication Administration Training to give medication to children. This is not needed for over-the-counter topical ointments, sunscreen and insect repellents.

Registration period

• The initial registration period for a Family Day Care program is two years.
• After that, the renewal registration is effective for four years.
• Providers must follow the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations and all laws that apply.

• You need a registration from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
• You must follow all requirements from City and State agencies.
• If you do not follow these regulations, your registration may be suspended.
• For more information: contact your NYC Bureau of Child Care borough office.

NYC Bureau of Child Care Borough Offices (PDF)

• 90 days before your license expires: you will get a renewal notice in the mail from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
• Read the requirements for renewing a home-based day care license.
• If you do not get your renewal notice: call 311 and ask for day care license. You will be connected to your Bureau of Child Care borough office.

Home-Based Day Care Operator's Guide to License Renewals and Hiring (PDF)