You are on this page: Information for Parents
Choosing child care is an important decision. Safe, positive child care sets the stage for healthy growth and development, so selecting child care takes time, patience and knowledge of available resources. You know your child’s needs. However, you may need assistance matching those needs to available resources, which is why OCFS is proud to share information to help you make this important decision.
Information for Families
Contents
Guides for Child Care
There are a variety of child care options in New York State, many of which are regulated by OCFS to assure your child receives quality care in a safe setting. No one type of program is necessarily better than another—all children have different needs, so one option might support your child’s learning and development better than another. Several factors and resources can help you choose a quality program that’s right for your child and your family:
Help Paying for Child Care
Finding Quality Child Care
Licensed and Registered Child Care
- Regulations
- Policies
- Social Services Law 390
- Background Checks for Providers
- Inspection Checklists
These inspection checklists may not reflect every regulatory citation, but they do reflect substantial and commonly observed requirements of the OCFS regulations. Additional regulatory citations that are not included in these inspection checklists can be added by a regulator during inspections, as needed. - Toll-Free Complaint Line
- Guidance on Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Health and Safety
- Inspection Checklists
- These inspection checklists may not reflect every regulatory citation, but reflect substantial and commonly-observed requirements of the OCFS regulations. Additional regulatory citations that are not included in these inspection checklists can be added by a regulator during inspections, as needed.
- Together We Can Raise Healthy Children
- Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
- Influenza Prevention and Control
- Lead Poisoning Prevention Info (DOH)
- What Your Child's Blood Lead Test Means
- Extreme Heat and Children
- Lyme Disease Tip Sheet
- Preventing Child Abuse
- Recalled Products
- Safe to Sleep - Crib Information Center
Emergency Planning
- Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH)
- Emergency Planning and Response Resources
- Helping Infants and Toddlers After Disasters
- Home Fire Safety Checklist
- Planning for Your Children in Case of Hospitalization or Quarantine
- Preparing an Emergency Kit
- Preparing Your Children for Disasters
- Ready.gov
Social-Emotional Development
- Early Intervention Program
- Early Interventions Social-Emotional Development
- Difficult Times & Tough Talks
- How to Talk to Kids About War and Terrorism
- Traumatic Experiences - Sesame Street