Regardless of whether they are Centers, Family Child Care Homes, or Group Family Child Care Homes, child care programs must comply with all state and city regulations. These regulations are explained below, with links to the regulations themselves.
Family and Group Family Child Care:
Providers of Family and Group Family Child Care in New York City and throughout the state must comply with regulations defined by the state's Office of Children and Family Services. (Family Child Care is defined as not more than 3-6 children in the home of an unrelated family, with not more than two children under the age of two years. Group Family Child Care is defined as not more than 7-12 children in the home of an unrelated family, with not more than four children under the age of two years.) Once regulations are met, the program is registered to operate in New York City. New York City's Department of Health is responsible for monitoring and enforcing regulations for Family and Group Family Child Care.
Regulations for Providers of Family and Group Family Child Care in New York City
Center-Based Care:
Providers of Center Care, Head Start Programs, Pre-schools and Infant Programs, including those for children with special needs, must comply with regulations defined by both New York City's Department of Health and with New York State's Office of Children and Family Service (OCFS). (Centers are defined as 7 or more children in an institutional setting. Small Centers are defined as 3-6 children cared for in an institutional setting.) Once these requirements are met, the program is licensed to operate. New York City's Department of Health is responsible for monitoring and enforcing these regulations.
Regulations for Day Care and Small Day Care Centers in New York State.
Child Care and the Americans with Disabilities Act:
Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), published by the U.S. Department of Justice
If you have further questions about child care centers or other requirements of the ADA, you may call the U.S. Department of Justice's toll-free ADA Information Line at: 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TDD).
Infant and Toddler Clearinghouse Main Page