Types of Child Care

A “babysitter” is hired by a parent or caregiver and is not required to meet any specific standards other than what is required by the child’s parent/s or caregivers.


Informal or legally exempt child care is provided by a relative, friend, or neighbor who is not required to be registered as long as they do not care for more than two children who are not related to them. Informal child care can be located in the provider’s home or in the child’s home. If the informal child care provider accepts children who receive subsidized child care allowances, they must comply with New York State regulations.


In-home care – A “nanny” is employed by the family to handle all tasks associated with the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to child care and domestic tasks. A nanny may or may not have had any formal training, but often widely experienced. If you are interested in employing a nanny, contact The American Council of Nanny Schools which maintains a listing of schools who recruit, train, and place nannies.


A child care provider refers to a licensed Family Child Care Provider or Group Family Child Care Provider. Group Family & Family Child Care providers are mandated by the New York State, Office of Children and Family Services to complete 15 hours of training in their first year of operation and 30 hours of training every two years in health, safety, nutrition and programming for children.  NYS Office of Children & Family Services


A Family Child Care (FCC) provider is an independent business operator who is registered by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services to provide care for up to six children, between the ages of eight weeks and twelve years of age, including the provider’s own children, with no more than two children under two years of age.


A Group Family Child Care (GFCC) provider is an independent business operator, licensed by the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Day Care to care for up to 12 children, in an approved residence with an adult assistant. A GFCC provider can care for no more than four children under two years of age.


Center-Based, Early Care & Education Programs/Day Care/ Nursery Schools in New York City are licensed and monitored by the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Day Care.

 

As of September 2008, qualifications for teachers caring for children from birth to 24 months of age include one of the following:

• An Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education,
• A Child Development Associate Credential & a study plan leading to an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education,
• A High School diploma or GED with five years supervised experience in an infant-toddler classroom or
• A High School diploma or GED and a study plan leading to 9 college credits in Early Childhood Education and an Associate’s Degree in Early
• Childhood Education within seven years. NYC DOH - Bureau of Day Care

Early Head Start is a federally funded, community based child development program for low income families with infants, toddlers and pregnant women. On-going staff development regarding “best practices” and continuous improvement are included in federally mandated performance standards. Early Head Start

You are also welcome to contact one of the Infant Toddler Specialists listed at each of the NYC Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies.

Julia Travers
Child Care Inc.
(212) 929-7604, Ext. 3011
JTravers@ChildcareInc.org

Allisyn Swift
Day Care Council of New York
(212) 206-7818
aswift.dccny@verizon.net

Yvelisse Jimenez
Child Development Support Corporation
(718) 230-0056, Ext. 8538
YJimenez@cdscnyc.org