Facts on Becoming a Registered Family Day Care Provider
Some questions and answers on becoming a registered family day care provider.
- Can I become a registered family day care provider?
You can, if you:
- are a warm and caring person who is at least 18 years of age or older.
- have at least two years experience working with children (family or otherwise).
- live in the place where you will provide care.
- agree to care for children regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin or handicapping condition.
You will also:
- need to provide your Social Security Number.
- need to complete an Application Package.
- How many children may I care for?
You may care for as many as six children, including your own who are not yet school aged.
- Do the children's ages matter?
Yes! If any child younger than 2 years of age is present, you may care for no more than five children at one time.
- May I care for school-aged children?
Certainly! You will need a satisfactory inspection by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Then you may care for two additional school-aged children.
- Do I have to register?
Yes, you must register if you care for more than two unrelated children for more than 3 hours per day.
- How do I register?
You may call the Registration Office for an appointment to attend the required Orientation Session. We will send you an application or, if you wish, tell you where you can pick one up.
- What is an Orientation Session?
It is a session to give you some tips on how to be a good family day care provider. Also, you may get some ideas on where help may be obtained from other agencies. We will also help you fill out the application.
- What happens then?
You will complete the required application and attach the following:
- health examination forms for you and everyone living in your home.
- a complete State Central Register Child Abuse Clearance Form (which is included in the Application Package) for everyone over 18 years of age living in your home to determine that no member of your household is the subject of a child abuse complaint.
- proof of attendance at the required Orientation Session.
- How can I be sure that my home meets all registration requirements?
Your home probably meets all requirements. Your home should have it's own bathroom and kitchen and a working telephone. Be sure to check the other requirements outlined in the Home Safety and Operating Program Compliance Checklist (which is included in the Application Package). Read it carefully.
- Is there anything else I need to know about?
Yes, you must:
- attend 15 hours of training during the first year of operation.
- provide parents unlimited access to their children.
- keep health records and emergency information on each child in care.
- serve children nutritious meals and snacks on a regular schedule.
- provide mats or cribs for children as appropriate to their ages.
- never leave children unsupervised.
- How long is my registration valid?
The first registration period is for one year. Your renewal registration is valid for two years.
- If I decide to become a registered family day care provider, where can I get help?
Call the Registration Office for answers to your questions. To recieve an Application Package, call the Registration Office at 212-280-9251
Borough office locations:
- Bronx:
1309 Fulton Avenue
Bronx, NY 10456
(on the corner of E. 169th St and Fulton Ave)
Tel: (718) 410-3903
- Brooklyn and Staten Island:
20 New York Avenue, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(between Fulton St and Herkimer St)
Tel: (718) 398-5010
- Manhattan:
160 West 100th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10025
(between Columbus Ave and Amsterdam Ave)
Tel: (212) 280-9251 Ext. 124
- Queens:
59-17 Junction Blvd., 14th Floor, Room 1400
Corona, NY 11368
(between 60th Ave. and Horace Harding Exp)
Tel: (718) 393-6257
For more information, call 311.
