Open the official state resources
Start with the state licensing information linked on this page. Find the office that regulates family or home-based child care in the county or region where you live.
Provider PathBy Holly’s Growing Minds StudioEspañolNY guide
NY home child care
How to start a home daycare in New York.
Use current OCFS guidance to identify the requirements for your proposed child care program, and confirm any local approval process that also applies. Use ECETP to find OCFS-reviewed distance learning and separate CPR/first-aid and medication-administration training resources. These are different learning and certification tasks. Confirm the exact course, provider role, delivery format, and documentation requirements before registering.
Source review: September 13, 2026
Reviewed ECETP distance-learning, CPR/first-aid and medication-administration resources. Detailed OCFS licensing procedures were not verified.
ECETP training resources were reviewed. Detailed OCFS licensing instructions and local exceptions remain unverified; confirm these directly with OCFS and the relevant local authority.
Individual courses, staff qualifications, local approvals and account submissions have not been certified by this review. Confirm those details with the responsible agency.
Free state paperwork guide
Forms & records for New York.
OCFS provides the statewide orientation and forms index. The NYC application and renewal items below apply locally; medical and consent forms are identified in the official OCFS index with full-document access limits stated.
- Starting a Child Care Program — statewide orientation and application guidance
Find the state orientation route and obtain current application directions.
Official source ↗ - Family Day Care Registration — orientation and application
Complete orientation and request the registration application.
Official source ↗ - Family and Group Family Day Care renewal guide
Assemble renewal materials, training proof and relevant identity-change documents.
Official source ↗ - Required Forms and Clearance List packet · OCFS-6000
Organize staff information, qualifications, references, medical and background documents.
Official source ↗ - Child in Care Medical Statement · OCFS-LDSS-4433
Record child health information.
Official source ↗ - Medication Consent · OCFS-LDSS-7002
Document medication consent.
Official source ↗ - Non-Medication Consent · OCFS-6010
Document non-medication consent.
Official source ↗ - CACFP participation through a state-approved sponsor
Find the appropriate route to join the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Official source ↗
Paperwork sources reviewed September 14, 2026. The full guide identifies provider types, use instructions, format choices, and review limits.
Your starting roadmap
Seven steps to organize the process.
This roadmap shows what most applicants need to ask about. It does not replace New York’s current packet, regulations or licensing representative.
Prepared byHolly
Teacher, former in-home provider, and family child care specialist with more than 35 years in early childhood.
Source standardReview scope matters
How Provider Path is researched →Targeted source review dated September 13, 2026. The source-review note identifies the scope and limits. Confirm your category and location before applying.
Confirm which provider type applies
Ask whether your program will be licensed, registered, certified or legally license-exempt. The answer can depend on capacity, children’s ages, relationship to the children and whether care happens in your own home.
Request the application and orientation
Ask how to receive the current application packet and whether orientation is required before applying. Follow the state’s order instead of completing training, fingerprints or home changes too early.
Build your paperwork and training file
Confirm the required identification, education, health records, references, household information, emergency plans, insurance, training and local approvals. Keep copies of every document and certificate.
Complete background checks as directed
Ask exactly who must be checked, which forms are required and where approved fingerprinting is completed. Requirements may include caregivers, substitutes, employees and household members.
Prepare the home for inspection
Use the current state rules to review exits, alarms, sleeping and play spaces, outdoor areas, pets, water safety, medications, supervision, emergency plans and any local fire, zoning or health requirements.
Submit, inspect and follow up
Submit the complete packet in the order your licensing office requires. Prepare for the home visit, correct any remaining items and wait for written approval before operating when a license or registration is required.
Questions for your first call
Write these answers down.
The first conversation with the licensing office can save you from paying for the wrong training, inspection or home changes.
- Which home child care category fits my planned capacity?
- Do I need orientation before receiving or submitting the packet?
- Which documents and training certificates are submitted together?
- Who needs background checks, and when should fingerprints be completed?
- Which local fire, health, zoning or business approvals apply?
- Is liability insurance required, and what coverage limit or proof must I provide?
- May I operate before final written approval?
Official starting links
Use current sources for the final answer.
Choose training for your setting and role.
Review the exact course, approval status, expiration, delivery format and required documentation. CPR/first aid and MAT have separate requirements.
Before enrolling, confirm the exact course, provider category, staff role, format, required topics and hours, completion deadline, renewal and accepted certificate. Check pediatric CPR and first aid separately; a general online child-development or health-and-safety course is not a substitute for the certification your agency accepts.
Professional development
OCFS-reviewed distance learning
Find professional-development guidance and confirm the exact course, format and certificate for your role.
Open resource ↗Professional developmentECETP training search
Find professional-development guidance and confirm the exact course, format and certificate for your role.
Open resource ↗Professional developmentCPR and first-aid training guidance
Find professional-development guidance and confirm the exact course, format and certificate for your role.
Open resource ↗Professional developmentCPR and first-aid organizations
Find professional-development guidance and confirm the exact course, format and certificate for your role.
Open resource ↗Professional developmentMedication Administration Training (MAT)
Find professional-development guidance and confirm the exact course, format and certificate for your role.
Open resource ↗Family resourcesOCFS information for families
Information for families and finding care; use the provider guidance for an application.
Open resource ↗Rules and standardsNew York existing rules resource
Existing reference retained. Confirm the current rules and effective edition with the responsible agency.
Open resource ↗Background checksNew York background-check reference
Confirm the current provider-specific process, forms and timing with the licensing authority. This existing reference was not reverified in full.
Open resource ↗Inspection recordsNew York provider and inspection search
Use the state’s search starting point to understand monitoring records and how licensed programs are displayed.
Open inspection resource ↗Child care assistanceNew York subsidy resources
Find the state program that helps eligible families pay for care and ask how providers participate.
Open assistance resources ↗Meal reimbursementNew York CACFP finder
Start with the USDA and state directories for family day care home sponsors and program contacts.
Find food-program contacts →Insurance regulatorNew York insurance department
Verify companies and agents, find consumer help, and ask state insurance questions.
Open state regulator directory ↗Business protection guideHome daycare insurance questions
Check state requirements, home-policy exclusions, child-capacity eligibility, and provider options.
Open insurance guide →Program setupEquipment and supplier guide
Compare professional and budget sources, then track verified items, quotes, purchases, and recall checks.
Plan equipment purchases →After written approvalMarketing and enrollment guide
Build a clear program description and a responsible 30-day plan for filling openings.
Plan responsible promotion →