You are on this page: Find Child Care
Consumer Statement
This page can be printed for reference.
Choosing child care is an important decision. Safe and positive child care sets the stage for healthy growth and development. It takes time, patience and an understanding of what to look for when selecting child care. You know the needs of your child and family. However, you may need assistance in matching those needs to available resources. That is why OCFS is proud to share with you the supports we have put in place to assist you in making this important decision. You can learn about these options in the short videos available on our website.
Contents
Search for Regulated Child Care
If you would like to start your search on your own, the Search for Child Care page will allow you to search the entire database of regulated child care providers in New York State (except for day care centers in New York City). You can look up a specific provider by name, or all the providers in a particular county or even zip code. You can also search by different types of care, such as family day care or day care centers. The results for a program will include contact information, address, capacity, when it first opened and the current status of its license or registration.
Day care centers in New York City are regulated by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). To find a licensed day care center in New York City (also known as group child care services), use this resource to search by borough.
Remember: Whether you get a list from our website or from the CCRR, this list is just a starting point - you will need to contact the provider to see if they have space for your child, and you will want to visit the child care provider to make sure for yourself that this is the right match for you. The Office of Children and Family Services has a helpful set of brochures, As you think about child care..., that you can view and download from this website or have mailed to you by your CCRR or regional office of the Division of Child Care Services.
Inspections and Enforcement
Inspections are conducted before a child day care program is licensed or registered and on an ongoing basis once the program is in operation. Inspection results are available on the OCFS website on our Search for Child Care page. If a parent or child care provider has questions or concerns about the results of an inspection, they can contact the licensing staff or the regional office that oversees the program. Get more information on inspections and enforcement.
Licensed/Registered Programs Subject to Enforcement Action
QUALITYstarsNY
QUALITYstarsNY is New York’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for early childhood programs, providing support and resources to improve and sustain high quality across New York State. We believe that all early childhood educators are committed to the young children they work with and are always intrinsically motivated to improve their practice. QUALITYstarsNY exists because we believe that early childhood educators across the state deserve the support to engage in continuous quality improvement.
Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCRR)
If you are looking for child care, the child care resource and referral agency (CCRR) in your county is a great place to start. CCRR agencies collect and maintain up-to-date information about all types of legal child care programs in their areas. CCRR counselors can provide you with information about various types of programs, costs, financial assistance and guidelines for selecting child care, but the final choice is always your responsibility as a parent. If you want help finding child care or have questions about child care, contact your local CCRR. They will ask you about the kind of care you are looking for, the ages of your children, the hours when you need care and other specifics such as any special needs your child might have. Based on that information, they will be able to give you a list of providers that most closely meet your needs.
Regional Office of the Division of Child Care Services
If you contact a regional office of the Division of Child Care Services, that office will be able to provide you with the licensing and regulatory compliance history of any child care provider who is or was licensed by OCFS.
Open NY
OpenNY has interactive maps for regulated child care programs and other related resources.