In New York, as a general rule, any child day care program that plans to serve three or more children for more than three hours a day on a regular basis must obtain a license or registration. This means that if you are planning to care for more than two children, including your own, you will need to meet the licensing requirements set by the state.
The purpose of these licensing requirements is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the children in your care. By obtaining a license, you are demonstrating that you have met certain standards and regulations that are designed to protect the children.
The specific licensing requirements may vary depending on the type of child care program you are operating. There are different categories of child care programs in New York, including family day care, group family day care, and child day care centers. Each category has its own set of regulations and requirements.
For example, if you plan to operate a family day care program in your own home, you will need to obtain a license if you want to care for more than two children. The maximum number of children you can care for without a license in this setting is two, including your own children under the age of six.
If you want to care for three or more children, you will need to obtain a family day care license. To obtain a license, you will need to meet certain requirements, such as completing a background check, obtaining CPR and first aid certification, completing training on child abuse prevention, and ensuring that your home meets safety standards.
It’s important to note that even if you are caring for two or fewer children and are not required to obtain a license, you still have a responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children in your care. It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with best practices for child care and to stay up to date on safety guidelines.
In New York, if you plan to care for three or more children for more than three hours a day on a regular basis, you will need to obtain a license or registration. The specific requirements will depend on the type of child care program you are operating. It’s important to comply with these regulations to ensure the well-being of the children in your care and to provide a safe and nurturing environment.