Types of Child Care

Child Care Centers care for children – ages eight weeks to 12 years of age – in group settings outside of the home. They often care for large numbers of children grouped by age and developmental needs.

There is usually one director and a staff of teachers who are trained in school-age care and related activities. Most programs run on the school year calendar, and some also offer vacation, holiday care and summer programs.

School-Age Child Care also is often provided in Family Child Care Homes. This type of child care often may be found along the school bus route so that the child can take the bus to and from school directly from the early care professional’s home.

School-Age Child Care can be offered in the afternoon after school hours and in the mornings before school begins. In some cases, transportation and meals are provided as well.

Licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), minimum standards must be met for staffing and basic health and safety.

Preschools and Nursery Schools are not licensed or regulated by New York State, although it is not required if the program is less than three hours per day.

Preschools generally offer a good child care option for parents who are looking for a social and learning environment for their child on a morning or afternoon schedule. Preschools enroll children from ages two years, nine months to five.

There are various types of Preschool Programs available – from a traditional program to a program that follows a Montessori or Reggio Emilia approach.

Knowing your child’s needs will help you to determine what type of Preschool environment will best suit her/him.

Many working parents need child care during the summer months. Summer Camps serve children from five to 15 years of age and give children the opportunity to further develop their talents, experience new activities and learn new skills.

Summer Camp Programs typically offer two-week, one-month or two-month sessions from which to choose. They also usually offer full-day schedules and may provide transportation for an additional fee.

Some camps specialize in the arts, sports, science or other interests. Camps are licensed by the Department of Health in New York State.

There must be a director and a trained staff of counselors and assistants.

When choosing a Summer Camp Program, you may wish to consider:

• Your child's age and maturity level
• Your scheduling needs
• How much you can afford to pay
• Location of the camp
• Experience, age and background of counselors
• Group size and ratio
• How long the camp has been in business
• Visiting the camp at an open house or another day
• Inquiring if the camp offers scholarships or a subsidy programs
• If transportation is offered and any additional fees for transportation
• Checking references with families that used the camp recently
• If the camp is accredited by the American Camping Association.