Information for Parents

Use the following links to change to translated versions of this page.

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.

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:

• Parent's Guide to Child Care Options
• NYS Early Childhood Family Guide

Help Paying for Child Care

• Help Paying for Child Care

Finding Quality Child Care

• Help Finding Child Care
• Search for 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.
  • Day Care Center Checklist
  • Family Day Care Checklist
  • Group Family Day Care Checklist
  • School-Age Child Care Checklist
• Toll-Free Complaint Line
• Guidance on Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Commonly asked questions about child care centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Administration of Medication
  • Provider Administration of Medication Resource Information

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.

• Day Care Center Checklist
• Family Day Care Checklist
• Group Family Day Care Checklist
• School-Age Child Care Checklist

• 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

Other Resources

• Child Care Facts & Figures for 2022
• Health Insurance for Children, Families, & Small Businesses
• Resources For Families
• OpenNY
• Child Care Plans