New York State Requirements

Qualifications: Heads of Groups: Must have an AA in early childhood education, child development, or another child-related area; or CDA credential and 2 years experience related to caring for children; or high school diploma or equivalent and 3 years experience. Additionally, if caring for a group of children under the age of 3 years, must have 1 year experience and/or training specifically in Infant and Toddler care.

Provider/Child Ratio:
Age Range Ratios for Center Based Care in New York
6 weeks - 9 months
(1:4) - Maximum Group Size 8
18 Weeks to 27 Months
(1:5) - Maximum Group Size 12
3 years (1:7) - Maximum Group Size 18
4 years (1:8) - Maximum Group Size 21
5 years (1:9) - Maximum Group Size 24
6 - 9 years (1:10) - Maximum Group Size 20
10 - 12 years (1:15) - Maximum Group Size 30

Age Range Ratios for Small Family Child Care in New York
Number of Children Allowed: 3-6 (plus 2 school-age children)
Maximum Number of Children to One Provider: 5, if one or more are younger than 2 years
6, if none are younger than 2 years
Provider's Own Children Counted: Yes, if not yet enrolled in kindergarten or higher grade
Maximum Number of Infants/Toddlers to One Provider: 2 younger than 2 years

Age Range Ratios for Large Family Child Care in New York
Number of Children Allowed: 7-12 (plus 2 SAC)
Ratio of Children to One Provider: 6:1;
2:1 younger than 2 years
Provider's Own Children Counted: Yes, if not yet enrolled in kindergarten or higher grade

Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
NYS OCFS Division of Child Care Services (Home Office)
South Building, Room 309
52 Washington Street
Rensselaer, NY 12144-2796
(518) 474-9454

Child Care Subsidy Agency
Department of Family Assistance
Office of Children and Family Services
Bureau of Early Childhood Services
52 Washington Street, Room 338, North Building
Rensselaer, NY 12144
Phone: (518) 474-9454
Fax: (518) 474-9617

Head Start - State Collaboration Office
Council on Children and Families
52 Washington Street, West Building
Room 256
Rensselaer, NY, 12144
Phone (518) 473-8081
Fax: (518) 473-2570

Child Care Food Program Agency
New York Department of Health
Division of Nutrition
150 Broadway, 6th Floor West
Albany, New York 12204-2719
Phone: (518) 402-7287 or (800) 942-3858
Fax: (518) 402-7252

State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
NY State Child Care Coordinating Council, Inc.
230 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, NY 12203
Phone: (518) 690-4217
Fax: (518) 690-2887

Office of Child Support Enforcement
Div. of Child Support Enforcement
Office of Temporary Assistance and Disability
40 North Pearl Street, Room 13C
Albany, New York 12243-0001
Phone: (518) 474-9081
Fax: (518) 486-3127

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Bureau of Day Care
2 Lafayette Street, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 676-2444
Fax: (212) 676-2424