Child Care Options
One of the first things to consider when choosing child care is what type of setting will be the best fit for the needs of your child.
This guide will help you look for indicators of quality in child care, including group size and child to adult ratios. Child to adult ratio refers to the maximum number of children per staff person. Maximum Group Size refers to the number of children cared for together as a unit. Low child to adult ratios and group sizes have a positive impact on the overall quality of early and school-age care and education programs and the experiences that children have in those programs.
Regulated Child Care Options:
Other Early Childhood Program Options:
What are the New York Child Care Regulations?
Care is provided for more than 6 children at a time in a facility that is not a residence in a group setting. Day Care Centers can serve children ages 6 weeks through 12 years and operate for more than 3 hours a day. All staff members are required to be fingerprinted for a clearance check and take a minimum of 30 hours of appropriate training every 2 years. All Day Care Centers must be licensed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, and must meet licensing requirements for the facility, health, safety, staffing and education.
The maximum child-to-adult ratios permitted by New York State in a licensed Center are as follows:
Child's Age |
Ratio (# of children per care giver) |
Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks to 18 months | 4 | 8 |
| 18 to 36 months | 5 | 12 |
| 3 years | 7 | 18 |
| 4 years | 8 | 21 |
| 5 years | 9 | 24 |
| 6 to 9 years | 10 | 20 |
| 10 to 12 years | 15 | 30 |
| Back to the top |
Care is provided in a personal residence for 3 to 6 children, and may have an additional 1 to 2 school age children. Programs may enroll children ages 6 weeks through 12 years. All staff members are required to be fingerprinted for a clearance check and take a minimum of 30 hours of appropriate training every 2 years.Family Day Care Homes must be registered by the NYS State Office of Children and Family Services.
The maximum child-to-adult ratios permitted by New York State in a registered Family Day Care are as follows:
Child's Age |
Ratio (# of children per care giver) |
Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | 2 | 2 |
| 2-5 years | 6 | 6 |
| 5-12 years | 8 | 8 |
| Back to the top |
Care is provided in a personal residence by a primary caregiver and an assistant for up to 16 children. The provider must use an assistant when more than 2 infants or more than 6 children are present. Programs may enroll children ages 6 weeks through 12 years. All staff members are required to be fingerprinted for a clearance check and take a minimum of 30 hours of appropriate training every 2 years. Group Family Day Care Homes must be licensed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
The maximum child-to-adult ratios permitted by New York State in a Licensed Group Family Day Care are as follows:
Child's Age |
Ratio (# of children per care giver) |
Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | 2 | 4 |
| 2-5 years | 12 | 6 |
| 5-12 years | 16 | 16 |
| Back to the top |
School-Age Child Care Programs
Programs are designed for children from kindergarten through age 12. Care is provided before and after school and may also operate during school holidays and vacations. Programs may operate in various facilities such as elementary schools, churches, community centers, and day care centers. School-Age Child Care Programs must be registered by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
The maximum child-to-adult ratios permitted by New York State in a Registered School Age Child Care Program are as follows:
Child's Age |
Ratio (# of children per care giver) |
Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten - 9 years | 10 | 20 |
| 10-12 years | 15 | 30 |
| Back to the top |
Listed below are types of programs that are not required to licensed or registered by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
A Programs that generally serves children ages 3 years through 5 years for less than three hours per day, 1 to 5 days per week and follow the school year calendar. A nursery school may voluntarily register with the State Education Department (SED), or may volunteer to be licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services.
Care is provided in a personal residence for up to 2 children. The care is provided outside of the child's home, and the care giver is hired by the child's parents.
Care is provided for a child in the child's home. There is not a limit on how many children can be cared for as long as all children in care reside in the home where the care is being provided. The care giver is hired by the child's parents.
| Back to the top |
What Are the New York Child Care Regulations?
Licensing and registration through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is required for Family Day Care, Group Family Day Care, Centers, and most School Age Child Care programs. This means that all of these types of care are regulated, monitored and inspected by OCFS. These programs must meet minimum standards for health and safety, staff education, group size, etc. However, having a license or registration does not guarantee quality. It is your responsibility to interview care givers and choose a program that is best for your child and family. For more about NYS Day Care Regulations, visit http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/childcare/daycare_regs.asp, or contact the Regional Office of OCFS by phone at (518) 402-3038.
| Back to the top |