Families / What to Look for in a Program / Provider

Child Care Options

The better you understand your family’s child care needs, and what type of care is both available, accessible and affordable, the more equipped and confident you will be in your decision-making process. Listed below is a description of your child care options:

Definitions of Child Care Options:

Family Child Care

  • Care in someone’s home
  • Can be care for up to six children ages 6 weeks to 12 years
  • No more than 2 children under age 2
  • Registered with the NYS Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) through the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

Group Family Child Care

  • Care in someone’s home
  • Care for up to 12 children with the help of an assistant
  • No more than 4 children under age 2
  • Can accept children from 6 weeks to 12 years
  • Licensed by the NYS Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) through the NYC DOHMH

Center Based Care

  • Varied schedules – many operate 10 hour days, full day, year round
  • Can serve children between 8 weeks and 5 years
  • Most serve pre-schoolers over age 2, fully toilet trained
  • Children-to-staff ratio varies depending on the age of the child
  • Licensed by the NYC DOHMH

Infant Toddler Child Care Program

  • Can be stand alone or located in same building as a pre-school center
  • Serves children from 8 weeks to age 3
  • Must obtain a special license to serve this age group
  • Licensed by the NYC DOHMH

School Age Program

  • Serves children enrolled in school, usually ages 5-12 with some four year olds
  • Offers care before and after school, generally until 6:00 p.m.
  • Generally open during school breaks, holidays and summer
  • Programs must be registered by the NYS OCFS through the NYC DOHMH

Universal Pre K (UPK)*

  • Programs offered primarily as  full school day during the school year, with some part day
  • Children who are 4, or turn four by the end of December of the school year, are eligible
  • Services provided in schools and early childhood centers and some group family child care
  • Program is free for the UPK hours

Head Start

  • Federally funded and services include other family supports
  • Pre-school, primarily for 3- and 4-years olds
  • Services provided in Head Start programs or as part of other early childhood programs
  • The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) sponsors more than 250 Head Start centers in neighborhoods throughout New York City
  •  Head Start programs are absolutely free.
  • Eligible families must meet specific federal income requirements

Informal Child Care

(license-exempt)

  • Individual can be a relative of the child, i.e. grandmother, aunt, cousin, etc.
  • Individuals can care for fewer than 3 non-related children
  • Not required to be registered or licensed by the State as family child care providers
  • Individuals may need to meet requirements in order to serve children who receive public funding
  • Can be in a child’s or caregiver’s home

Non Traditional Hour Care

  • Generally referred to as care offered before 7 am and after 7 pm
  • May also include Saturdays and/or Sundays
  • Few options in centers, some in regulated family child care and group family child care
  • More likely to be a relative or neighbor