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Welcome child care providers!
The Division of Child Care Services maintains this page as a key resource list for child care providers. We are confident that the information and the links provided on this page will be helpful and informative.
Orientation materials for prospective child care providers can be found on the Child Day Care Orientation page.
Contents
Important information for Child Care Providers on …
The Corona Virus
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Mandated Background Checks
Prior to September 25, 2019, all licensed, registered, permitted or legally exempt childcare programs were required to comply with certain background check provisions. Those persons who have completed the existing background check requirements prior to September 25, 2019 are still in compliance as of September 25, 2019. As such, those persons may continue to work, volunteer, or reside in a child care program on September 25, 2019. A schedule for their "re-check" - an updated background check process under the new rules – will be distributed by OCFS.
All staff, volunteers, and adult household members who are new (prospective) on or after February 7, 2020, must comply with the new background check process required under the law. This is true for the licensed and registered community (please use this link for the licensed/registered regulations: /main/legal/Regulatory/er/OCFS.413.EARR.2.7.2020/OCFS.413.EARR.LR.SOS.2.7.2020.docx) as well as for the legally exempt community (please use this link for the legally exempt regulations: ocfs.ny.gov/main/legal/Regulatory/er/OCFS.403.EARR.2.7.2020/OCFS.403.EARR.SOS.LE.2.7.2020.docx).
In brief, the new rules require:
- All new (prospective) individuals at licensed, registered, and legally-exempt programs must complete the background check process prior to beginning at the program, provided that employees may begin on a supervised basis after submitting fingerprints for a background check. Such employees must be supervised at all times, and must never be alone with children.
- Existing licensed/registered programs will receive a schedule for updating their background checks in conformance with the new law. Generally, the schedule requires a person to schedule an appointment for criminal history fingerprinting within 1 week of their birthday.
- Existing legally-exempt informal programs will receive a schedule for updating their background checks in conformance with the new law. Generally, the schedule requires a person to schedule an appointment for criminal history fingerprinting with their re-enrollment packet. This should happen within 60 days of the end of their enrollment period.
- Existing legally-exempt group programs will receive a schedule for updating their background checks in conformance with the new law. Generally, the schedule requires a director to schedule an appointment for criminal history fingerprinting as part of the re-enrollment packet; staff and volunteers will schedule an appointment within 1 week of their birthday.
OCFS is stressing to regulatory staff the importance of providing technical assistance to child care programs and supporting their efforts to come into compliance with these new requirements.
Amended Child Care Regulations To Take Effect September 25, 2019
The amendments affect 403, 404, 405, 406, 413, 414, 415, 416, and 417 and Subparts 418-1 and 418-2 of Title 18 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) are hereby amended to read as follows: See Licensed Registered Regulations and Legally Exempt Regulations.
This packet contains the forms affected by these amendments.
OCFS Offering Free Graco Cribs to Three Types of Day Care Providers
OCFS is providing family-based child care providers a Graco Pack ‘n Play crib – free. All legally-exempt, family day care, and group family day care homes are eligible to request one Pack ‘n Play and one fitted sheet. Find out more about how to make a request, and see the OCFS hold harmless agreement.
General Info
- Child Care Facts & Figures for 2019
- Continuity of Care Video
- Early Intervention Program
- Early Interventions Social-Emotional Development
- Fingerprinting
- Forms
- Health insurance for children, families, & small businesses
- Letters to Providers
- Operating a Child Care Program
- Orientation for Child Day Care
- Provider Background Checks
- QUALITYstarsNY
- Request to remove street address and map from the OCFS Day Care Facility Search
- Resources For Families
- Regulations
- Policies
- Services for Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
- Starting a Child Care Program
Provider Training
- Training Home Page
- Healthy Beverages in Childcare - returning soon
- Infant Meal Pattern - returning soon
- Child Meal Pattern - returning soon
Program Development
- Environment Rating Scales
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- National Association for Family Child Care
- Family Child Care Association of New York State
- New York Association for the Education of Young Children (NYAEYC)
- NYS Council on Children and Families
- NYS Early Childhood Advisory Council
- Winning Beginning NY
- Early Childhood Education Training Program video library
Nutrition
- NYS Department of Health
- US Department of Agriculture
- Together We Can Raise Healthy Children
- Reimbursement for meals and snacks
Subsidy Program
- Child Care Market Rates
- Child Care Plans
- New York State Child Care and Development Fund Plan
- Help Parents Pay for Child Care Subsidy
- Child Care Market Rate Survey 2015 Report
Health and Safety
- Administration of Medication
- Computer Safety
- Pub. 5197 - Field Trip Safety
Pub. 5197-S - Viajes de Estudio - Influenza Prevention and Control
- Lead Poisoning Prevention Info (DOH)
- Look Before You Lock
- Lyme Disease Tip Sheet
- No Firearms, Shotguns or Rifles Notice – (En Español firearms notice)
- Pesticide Prohibition Requirements
- Pub. 5199 - Playground Safety
Pub. 5199-S - En el Patio - Playground Safety Videoconference
- Pool Guidelines (FDC & GFDC)
- Preventing Child Abuse
- Pub. 5210 - Protecting Children from Extreme Heat
Pub. 5210-S - Protegiendo a los Niños del Calor Extremo - Protective Surfacing
- Radon
- Recalled Products
- Seat Belt Requirements for Children
- Safe to Sleep - Crib Information Center
- Pub. 5198 - Transportation Safety
Pub. 5198-S - Transporte - Traumatic Experiences - Sesame Street
- Understanding Recent Changes to Bleach Concentrations
- What Child Care Providers Need to Know About Lead
- Pub. 5196 - What to Bring When Leaving the Program or Classroom
Pub. 5196-S - Lo que debe llevar consigo al salir del programa o de la sala de clase - What Your Child's Blood Lead Test Means
Emergency Planning
- American Red Cross: Be Ready
- Evacuation Activities for Children and Adolescents
- Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH)
- Flood or Hurricane Resources
- Helping Children Cope After Traumatic Events
- Helping Infants and Toddlers After Disasters
- Home Fire Safety Checklist
- Preparing an Emergency Kit
- Preparing Your Children for Disasters
- Ready.gov
- Ready.gov - Resources for Educators
- Six Ways to receive a Warning
- Talking to children about terrorist attacks and school and community shootings in the news
- Think Ahead
- Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
- USFA Home Safety and Fire Prevention