Home Daycare Permit Requirements in New York City, NY

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home daycare in New York City, New York (Manhattan) County, New York.

Verified 2026-08-27 8 stops $150–$500 est. 8–16 weeks for registration; 10–20 weeks for group family day care license
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Free from the IRS — apply online and receive your EIN immediately upon approval; the IRS never charges for an EIN (avoid third-party sites that do). Federally required if you hire employees or operate as a corporation or partnership (including a multi-member LLC); a single-member LLC with no employees and no excise-tax liability may use the owner's SSN instead, though most banks ask for an EIN to open a business bank account. Child-care subsidy (CCDF) programs are run by state agencies that will ask for a taxpayer ID when you enroll as a provider — an EIN satisfies this and keeps your SSN private.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of New York

5 stops

  1. NY OCFS — Family Day Care Home Registration

    Required for providing child care for 3–6 children (not related to the provider) in a family residence in New York. Administered by OCFS and locally by NYC ACS. Process includes: application submission, background check on all household members 18+ and employees, safety visit, health statement for provider, CPR/first aid certification, and 15 hours of initial training. Annual renewal required.

    Official government source

    Free8–16 weeks

  2. NY OCFS — Group Family Day Care Home License

    Required for caring for 7-12 children in a family residence. Group Family Day Care requires a full OCFS license (rather than registration) and an assistant must be present whenever more than 6 children are in care. Providers, assistants, and substitutes must complete 15 hours of training within the first 6 months and 30 total hours in each 2-year period.

    Official government source

    Free10–20 weeks

  3. Background Check (OCFS — SCR and Fingerprinting)

    All adults (18+) who reside in or are employees of the family day care home must complete a Statewide Central Register (SCR) check for child abuse/neglect and fingerprint-based criminal history checks through OCFS. Completed through the OCFS online portal.

    Official government source

    Varies — SCR clearance $25 in NYC; fingerprint processing fees vary; confirm current fees with OCFS2–6 weeks

  4. OCFS Training — 15 Hours in First 6 Months + 30 Hours Every 2 Years

    NY requires family day care providers, assistants, and substitutes to complete at least 15 hours of training within the first 6 months of registration, and a total of 30 hours of training in each 2-year period, covering OCFS's required topic areas (child development, health and safety, regulations, etc.). Federally required pre-service health-and-safety training (e.g., OCFS's Foundations in Health and Safety e-learning) must be completed before caring for children.

    Official government source

    $0–$200 (many subsidized courses available)Completed before or shortly after registration

  5. CPR and First Aid Certification

    Current infant/child CPR and first aid certification required. Must be maintained throughout the registration/license period.

    Official government source

    $50–$100Same day

City of New York City / New York (Manhattan) County

2 stops

  1. NYC Dept of Health — Family Day Care Registration (OCFS)

    Home-based child care in NYC for 3–6 children (ages 6 weeks to 12 years, not related to the provider) requires registration with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS) administers the process locally. Requirements: safety assessment visit, background check, health statement, CPR/first aid certification, and basic child care training. Group family day care homes serving 7–12 children require a full OCFS license rather than a registration. Contact NYC ACS at 212-676-9421.

    Official government source

    Free to register; small processing fees may apply8–16 weeks from application to registration

  2. NYC DCA — No Specific Local License Required

    The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) does not issue a separate childcare license. State OCFS registration/licensing is the primary requirement. However, all NYC businesses must comply with applicable NYC zoning and building codes. Home-based family day care is a permitted accessory use in residential zones under NYC Zoning Resolution.

    Official government source

    FreeN/A

Terminus

Open for business — est. $150–$500 · 8–16 weeks for registration; 10–20 weeks for group family day care license

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