Types of child care programs to operate:
Family Day Care and Group Family Day Care
Have you considered a home-based child care business as a way of making a living and providing quality care to the children and families in your community?
If you plan on caring for more than two children in your home who are not related to you, you will need to become registered or licensed. Registered family child care providers can care for up to eight children. Licensed group family day care providers, with at least one assistant, can care for up to sixteen children. Care can be provided for children from six weeks of age through 12 years of age.
If interested in becoming a childcare provider, please take the online orientation offered by the New York State Office a Children and Family Service.
For more information on starting your own child care business review our 
Tip Sheet.
For any further questions, please contact our offices at (845) 331-7080 (Ulster)/ (518) 822-1944 (Columbia & Greene).
In addition, registered or licensed family and group family day care providers may be eligible to participate in the Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) which provides partial reimbursement for nutritious meals served to the children in care. For more information about CACFP, contact our offices at (845) 331-7080 (Ulster)/ (518) 822-1944 (Columbia & Greene).
School Age Child Care
School Age child care refers to a program or facility which is not a residence in which child day care is provided to an enrolled group of more than six school age children. This can be offered in a school building, community center, commercial building, etc. Care can be provided for school-age children of any age. If interested in becoming a school-age program, please take the online orientation offered by the New York State Office a Children and Family Service.
For more information, or to obtain an application, please contact our offices at (845) 331-7080 (Ulster)/ (518) 822-1944 (Columbia & Greene).
Day Care Center
Day care centers are programs or facilities which are not in a residence in which child day care is provided on a regular basis to more than six children for more than three hours per day. Care can be provided for children from six weeks of age through 12 years of age. If interested in operating a day care center, please take the online orientation offered by the New York State Office a Children and Family Service.
There are many things to consider when starting a new child care center. Review this guide Opening A Child Care Center from Child Care Aware of America to help you think through the steps you need to take to operate a successful child care program.
Legally Exempt Enrolled Child Care Provider
A provider who does not have to be registered or licensed according to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations in order to be paid for child care services by the local Department of Social Services, some restrictions may apply.
A provider who is not registered/licensed but cares for a child whose parents have been approved for child care assistance program payments by the Department of Social Services (DSS) is required to be enrolled with the Legally Exempt Child Care Enrollment Agency. That agency is Child Care Connections, a program of Family of Woodstock, Inc. If you are interested in providing care for a family that has been approved to receive Child Care Assistance Program payments, please contact Child Care Connections at 845-331-7080 (Ulster) or 518-822-1944 (Columbia, Greene) for an application. If you have already received an application, you can contact Child Care Connections at 845-331-7080 (Ulster) or 518-822-1944 (Columbia, Greene) for assistance. Sample application and Instructions SOLICITUD DE LEGALMENTE EXENTO e INSTRUCCIONES
Informal Child Care Provider
An Informal Child Care Provider is exempt from the state license and registration process because they care for a maximum of two (2) nonrelated children without a license or registration, OR they care for three (3) or more nonrelated children for three (3) hours or less daily. This can include Nursery Schools, Preschools and Camps. If you are operating a Nursery School, Preschool, Camp, or would like to offer child care in accordance with the definition above you can be listed in our Child Care Referral database and receive referrals. Complete the INFORMAL CHILD CARE PROVIDER REFERRAL APPLICATION
Foundations in Health and Safety e-Learning
Other Information
All child care providers must take training in order to obtain and renew their license or registration.
Child care in New York State is regulated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). To access the regulations for the above types of care, go to the OCFS Day Care Regulations https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/regulations/