How to Become a Family Child Care Provider

If you enjoy working with young children, and would like to do so in your own home, family child care might be the right choice for you. You can choose between Family Child Care and Group Family Child Care depending on how many children you wish to care for. To operate, you must obtain a registration or a license from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). You must also meet the requirements below to become a Registered Family or Group Family Child Care Provider:

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You and all household members are in good health.
• You must have never been convicted of a felony.
• All adults in your home must be screened through the child abuse register.
• You and all household members age 18 and older must be fingerprinted.
• Your home must have 2 exits that are remote from one another to safely evacuate children in case of emergency.
• You must complete a New York State Health and Safety Competency Training.
• You must complete New York State Medication Administration, Infant/Child CPR, and Community First Aid Training to administer medication to children in your program.

If you are currently caring for at least 3 children, you are required to be registered with the NY State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS). For an application and information about family child care registration or group family child care licensing or for help with your application, call Steuben Child Care Project at 607-776-2126 or 1-800-553-2033.

You can also contact Child Care, Inc. for information about fingerprinting, training fees and start-up grants, meal reimbursement, and family child care networks.