School-Based Child Care Certificate (Notice of Filing)
A School-Based Child Care program provides care to more than six children who are 3-5 years old. These programs are located in a City school or are otherwise affiliated with a school.
School-based child care (SBCC) programs are located within or are part of a school, and provide instruction to children aged 3 through 5. School-based child care centers are regulated by Article 43 of the New York City Health Code, New York State Education Law, and New York City Fire and Building Codes. The New York City Health Department inspects school-based child care sites annually to make sure they are in compliance with the Health Code.
A Notice of Filing must be submitted to the department when establishing a new school that provides instruction and care to children aged 3 through 5. After receiving the Notice of Filing, the Health Department will issue you a Certificate of Filing.
Users should be aware that reading the documents included here will be necessary to properly understand the regulatory requirements of a SBCC program. For those programs that have funding from the NYC Department of Education and the Administration of Children Services, there may be additional requirements.
Review the School-Based Child Care Certificate Filing Procedures at a Glance which will guide you through the application process.
School Based Child Care Certificate - Filing Procedures at a Glance
Review the SBCC Notice of Filing Application to ensure the site you have chosen for your center will meet the requirements. You will upload this document when you apply.
School Based Child Care Site Inspection Request Form (New Filing)
School-Based Child Care Certificate holders must operate in accordance with the requirements set by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
NYC Health Code, Article 43, School Based Programs For Children Ages Three Through Five
School-Based Child Care facilities that prepare food onsite must maintain a valid Food Service Establishment Permit.
All child care services serving food to children must have a supervising manager who has passed a Food Protection Course and received a Food Protection Certificate. To obtain a Food Protection Certificate, register for the Food Protection Course prior to submitting the application for a Group Child Care permit.
Refer to the Requirements Checklist for basic documentation and other requirements needed to apply for any permit from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), some of which depend on the type of business that will be given the permit.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Fines may be paid in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center or Online.
All applications and amendments for a SBCC certificate must be submitted online. If you do not have access to the internet, you can search for a public library in your borough. All public libraries have computers with internet access.
Review School-Based Child Care Providers: What You Need To Know for a general overview of operational requirements.
After receiving the Notice of Filing, the Health Department will issue you a Certificate of Filing.
You can submit an online request to change this certificate if there is:
- A change in contact information
- A change in the principal or education director
- An error in the original Certificate of Filing
All new applications for, and amendments to, a School-Based Child Care Certificate must be submitted online or by sending an e-mail to childcareinfo@health.nyc.gov.
Complete the SBCC Notice of Filing Application form. You will upload this document when you apply. Do not use any special characters when naming this file or the upload may fail.
School Based Child Care Site Inspection Request Form (New Filing)
Make electronic versions of each required document: Government ID, your site's Certificate of Occupancy/Letter of No Objection and one of the following four Department of Education documents:
• New York City Department of Education Approval of Curriculum
• New York State Board of Regents Registration
• New York City/State Department of Education issued charter
• New York State Department of Education Basic Education Data System (B.E.D.S.) number
First register for an account online at the Permit and License Center by clicking Apply Online below (unless you already have an account). Once you've registered, follow the steps below:
- Login to your account at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Permit and License Center
- Click "Apply New/Link PIN"
- Click "Click here to Apply New or Link PIN"
- Read and accept the terms and click "Continue"
- Click on the "Child Care" drop down arrow
- Select "School-based Child Care (SBCC) Fee Exempt Permit Process"
- Complete all required fields in Steps 1-4
- When prompted to (in Step 5), then click "upload document" to upload a copy of your government ID.
- Complete all the remaining steps until record is created.
Applications for new School-Based Child Care certificates are only accepted online. See Apply Online. If you do not have access to the internet, you may search for a library in your neighborhood. All public libraries have computers with internet access.
Applications for new School-Based Child Care certificates are only accepted online. See Apply Online. If you do not have access to the internet, you may search for a library in your neighborhood. All public libraries have computers with internet access.
Registration is required if this is the first time you are using the online system. You will need your PIN which will allow you to link your existing records to one single online account. You only need to use your PIN to link to each license record once.
If you do not have access to your PIN, you may obtain your PIN(s) by completing an online PIN Request Form here or by calling 311 and ask for "NYC Online Licensing Service - Assistance and PIN Request.
