Find Child Care
Learn about the different types of care in New York State and use the three interactive maps below to find child care near you.
Types of Child Care
Home-Based Child Care Providers
- In New York, there are two regulated forms of home-based child care.
- Family day care (FDC) homes - For more than 3 hours per day, providers care for three to six children. Under some circumstances, family day care homes may care for seven or eight children. Caregivers are limited to two children under age 2 unless they have an assistant.
- Group family day care (GFDC) homes - For more than 3 hours per day, providers care for seven to twelve children. Under some circumstances, a group family day care program may provide care to four additional children.
Caregivers are limited to two children under age 2 unless they have an assistant. A GFDC must have at least one assistant when care is provided to seven or more children when none of the children are school-age, or nine or more children when at least two of the children are school-age.
School-Age Child Care (SACC)
A school-age child care (SACC) program is any program or facility, which is not a residence, that provides child day care to an enrolled group of seven or more school-age children under 13 years of age, which operates outside normal school hours and consistent with the school calendar.
Child Care Centers
For more than three hours per day, child care is provided on a regular basis to more than six children. A child care center may provide care for children six weeks through 12 years of age; for children 13 years of age or older who are under court supervision; for children 13 years of age or older who are incapable of caring for themselves; and, in extenuating circumstances, for children under six weeks of age when prior approval has been obtained from OCFS. Children who attain the maximum age allowed during the school year may continue to receive child day care through the following September 1 or until they enter school for the following school year. These centers may be referred to as Day Care Centers (DCC) or Small Day Care Centers (SDCC).
ANOTHER OPTION: Family, Friend, Neighbor Care (Also Called Legally Exempt)
The Office of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Care Services allows parents/guardians to hire individuals to care for their children). This is known as legally exempt child care. A legally exempt provider is not required to be licensed or registered to provide child care. Families eligible for child care assistance can choose this type of care, but the legally exempt provider/program must enroll with an enrollment agency to be paid. Contact your local CCRC for more information on this option.