Group Child Care Center-Based Permit

A Group Child Care program provides care to three or more kids under six years old. The care is for five or more hours each week. It is also for more than 30 days in a year. The program usually runs in a place that is not a home.

Group Child Care applicants must give information on supervision levels. This includes the Educational Director, Group Teacher and Assistant Teachers. They must also show proof of their qualifications, certificates and training. Programs must keep files on-site with staff and child information, including medical reports.

An Early Childhood Education Consultant (ECEC) and Public Health Sanitarian (PHS) will check the program at least once a year. The program must submit a renewal application with supporting documents to remain in compliance the permit.

This information covers health and safety-related aspects for a group child care permit. You need to read the documents here to understand the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene rules. Programs funded by the NYC Department of Education and the Administration of Children's Services may have extra requirements.

The Group Child Care permit is valid for two years. The permit cannot be transferred. A permit will include:

• Permit number
• Issue date
• Expiration date
• Name of program
• Address of program
• Permit capacity
• Floors and classrooms
• Ages of children

• Create an online permit account: All new applications and renewals must be done online. You need an NYC ID to create a new account or renew your permit. If you already have an account with the NYC Health Department online permit portal, use the same email address.

• Attend a pre-permit orientation session: You must attend a Pre-Permit Orientation Session at your local Borough Office. After you complete the session, you will get a certificate number. You need this number to apply for your permit.
  Register for a session online

• Review the site viability checklist: Make sure the site you choose for your center meets the requirements.
  Site viability checklist for group day care centers (PDF)

• Complete the site viability inspection application: You will upload this document when you apply.
  Group child care site inspection request form (PDF)

• Follow NYC Department of Health rules: All Group Child Care permit holders must follow the requirements set by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
  What every group child care permit holder needs to know

• Refer to the group child care resource list: This list has contact information, guidance for getting certifications and approvals, and other resources.
  Resources for group child care center permit applicants and operators (PDF)

• Get a food protection certificate: All child care services serving food must have a supervising manager with a Food Protection Certificate. To obtain a Certificate, register for the Food Protection Course before submitting the application for a Group Child Care permit.

• Pay outstanding fines: All fines for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit. You can pay fines at 66 John St., 10th floor, New York, NY 10038 or online at the MyCity Portal. Fines can also be paid in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center. Appointments are required.
  Pay outstanding fines online

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Licensing Center
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004
onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• List of permit fees:

  • Group Child Care application: $200. Permits are valid for two years. Separate permits are needed for Infant Services and Preschools. Payment by debit or credit card only (all applications must be submitted online).
  • Food Protection Course: $114 (check, money order or debit/credit card when registering in person; debit/credit card when registering online).
  • Payment for Health Code Violation(s), if any (check, money order or debit/credit card when paying in person; debit/credit card only when paying online).
  • Fingerprinting Fee: $110 (money order only).

• List of accepted payment methods:

  • Visa debit and credit cards
  • Mastercard debit and credit cards
  • American Express card
  • Discover card

• Submit applications online: All new and renewal applications for a Group Child Care permit must be submitted online. If you do not have internet access, you can use a public library. All public libraries have computers with internet access.
  Find a library in your borough

Step 1: Within 10 business days, someone from your Bureau of Child Care office will contact you. They will:

• Arrange a Site Viability inspection of your center.
• Help you finish the application process.
• Guide you on providing all needed documents and meeting all requirements to get a Group Day Care permit.

Contact information for Bureau of Child Care Offices (PDF)

Step 2: Before you get a permit, you must meet all the requirements for a Group Day Care Center permit.

Step 3: During the permit process, you will need to submit additional documents. To upload these documents, you will need your online licensing login and password. If you forget your password, follow the instructions on the login page. If you still have problems logging in, call 311 and ask for Day Care Permit. You must upload all documents one at a time. Select the name of each document and then upload that document.

Log in to upload more documents

• To keep your child care program in line with Article 47 of the New York City Health Code: use the Daily Self-Inspection Checklist for Group Child Care Programs. This checklist covers many rules, but not all. For a full list, visit nyc.gov/health and search for Health Code.

• When you hire a new Educational Director: contact your Bureau of Child Care Borough Office and provide:

  • Proof of qualifications as required by New York City Health Code Sections 47.13, 47.15 and 47.17
  • Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) clearance
  • Criminal Justice Clearance (fingerprinting from the Department of Investigation)
  • Reference letters from the three most recent employers
  • Physical exam certificate from a licensed health care provider, including shots as required by New York City Health Code Section 47.33

For more information in other languages, visit the child care center-based page.

• Create an online permit account: You need an NYC ID to create a new account. If you already have an account with the NYC Health Department online permit portal, use the same email address.

• Complete a pre-permit orientation session: You need the certificate number given to you when you completed the session. If you have not taken an orientation, you must do so before you apply.
  Register for a pre-permit orientation session

• Complete the site viability inspection application: You will upload this document when you apply. Do not use special characters when naming this file or the upload may fail.
  Group child care site inspection request form (PDF)

• Prepare electronic versions of required documents: Make electronic versions of each required document: Site Viability Application, Proof of ID, and if applicable, Proof of Not-for-Profit status. You will upload these documents one at a time. Select the name of the document and then upload it. The following document types can be uploaded: PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD and TXT. If your documents' names contain special characters, the upload will fail. Do not name them using special characters.

• Begin the application process: Once you have created an NYC ID account, you may log into the NYC Health Department online permit portal and begin the application process. Complete all required sections and information (fields with *), upload your documents and pay the required fee.

• Get assistance if needed: If you need help using the online licensing system, call 311 and ask for Child Care Permit.

• Applications only accepted online: Applications for a new Group Child Care Center permit are only accepted online. See Apply Online. If you do not have internet access, you may use a library. All public libraries have computers with internet access.
  Find a public library in your borough

• Applications only accepted online: Applications for a new Group Child Care Center permit are only accepted online. See Apply Online. If you do not have internet access, you may use a library. All public libraries have computers with internet access.
  Find a public library in your borough

• All new and renewal applications for a Group Child Care permit must be submitted online: If you do not have internet access, you can use a computer at a public library. Find a Library in Your Borough.

• You need an NYC ID to renew your permit: Go to NYC ID and create an account. Use the same email address you use for the NYC Health Department online permit portal.

• Before you renew, read the list of documents you must upload: Make electronic copies of these documents. You can upload the following types: PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD and TXT. Upload documents one at a time. Do not use special characters in document names.

  • Annual lead paint survey if there is paint of unknown lead content or lead-based paint. This is not required if XRF test results show the facility is "lead-free."
  • Proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance form
  • Any documents that have changed since the current permit was issued, such as Incorporation documentation, Health Care Plan, Architectural Plans, Safety Plan (including Lost Child Prevention and Retrieval Plan) and the Certificate of Occupancy.

• If you need help using the online licensing system: call 311 and ask for Child Care Permit.

• Renewals for Group Child Care Permits are not accepted in person or by mail. Go to Renew Online to renew your permit.

• Renewals for Group Child Care Permits are not accepted in person or by mail. Go to Renew Online to renew your permit.