Family Child Care

Family Child Care programs are run by early care professional(s) in a private home. Many parents prefer Family Child Care for infants and very young children because they will be in a home-like environment. Family Child Care has a smaller number of children than Child Care Centers, and siblings can stay together since there is a mixed-age setting.

It is important for you and your child to be comfortable with the Family Child Care program, the children and the early care professional(s). You should ask if there will be other children or adults in the home who will be in contact with your child. Be sure to view the space where the children will play as well as the schedule of activities they will be engaged in daily.

A license or registration does not guarantee a well-rounded, quality child care program. You must do your own due diligence by visiting and evaluating each Family Child Care setting you are considering. Use our Checklists and ask a lot of questions.

 

Types of Family Child Care

New York State Registered Providers  must be approved by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The registration should be posted where parents can see it. NYS Registered Providers are required to take a variety of training classes. They may care for six children, ages six weeks to 12 years, and they also may be approved to care for an additional two school-aged children. There must be one early care professional for every two children under the age of two. This includes the provider’s own children, if applicable.

New York State Group Licensed Family Child Care Providers  must be approved by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The license should be posted where parents can see it, and there must be an assistant listed on the license. NYS Group Licensed Family Child Care Providers are required to take a variety of training classes. These early care professionals may care for 12 children, ages six weeks to 12 years. They also may receive approval to care for an additional four school-aged children. There must be one provider for every two children under the age of two. This includes the early care professional’s own children, if applicable.

Legally Exempt Providers  are often friends, relatives or neighbors who care for one or two children in addition to their own. They also are known as "informal providers."

 

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services lists all the regulations for Child Care Centers and Family Child Care programs.