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.

Updated 2026-03-13 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. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Also needed for accepting Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy payments. Free to obtain from the IRS.

    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. Requires a full license (rather than registration). Must have two qualified caregivers on-site at all times when 7+ children are present. Enhanced training (30 hours initial + ongoing) required.

    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

    $75–$100 per person2–6 weeks

  4. Initial Training (15 Hours) + Ongoing Annual Training

    NY requires 15 hours of initial training before or within 3 months of registration, covering child development, health and safety, and OCFS regulations. At least 30 hours of ongoing training every 2 years thereafter. NYC ACS and approved training organizations offer courses.

    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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Official Sources

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