CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARE FOR YOUR CHILD
Child Care Center
Registered Family Child Care
Licensed Group Family Child Care
School-Age Child Care
Nursery Schools and Preschool Programs
Summer Day Camp
In-Home Care
Education and Experience of Caregivers
Child Care Center
Center based care is provided for a group of children for more than three hours per day, not in a personal residence, which must meet state licensing regulations for facility, health, safety, staffing and its educational program. In addition to becoming state licensed, child care centers may strive to become accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
| Age of Children | Staff/Child Ratio | Maximum Group Size |
|---|
| 6 weeks to 18 months | 1:4 | 8 |
| 18 to 36 months | 1:5 | 12 |
| 3 years | 1:7 | 18 |
| 4 years | 1:8 | 21 |
| 5 years | 1:9 | 24 |
| 6 to 9 years | 1:10 | 20 |
| 10 to 12 years | 1:15 | 30 |
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Registered Family Child Care
Registered Family Child Care is provided in the home setting for up to six children including the provider’s own (fewer if there are infants, provider's own children are only included until they enter Kindergarten) with an expanded capacity to serve two more school-age children. Family child care programs must be registered through the NYS Office of Children and Family Services if care is provided for three or more children. If care is provided for only two children in the home setting, it is legally exempt from state licensing. Family Child Care programs may be accredited through the National Association of Family Child Care.
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Licensed Group Family Child Care
Licensed Group Family Child Care is provided in the home setting by a primary caregiver and an assistant for up to twelve children including the provider's own (fewer if there are infants, provider's own children are only included until they enter Kindergarten) with an expanded capacity to serve two more school-age children. Group family child care programs are licensed through the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and may be accredited through the National Association of Family Child Care.
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School-Age Child Care
Care is provided for a group of school-age children from kindergarten through age twelve before and after school and at times when school is not in session. Many school-age programs provide care during school vacation periods and holidays. School-age child care may be provided by child care centers, family child care homes, public schools, youth recreation groups, religious organizations, and other community groups. School-age programs are registered through the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and may be accredited through the National Afterschool Association.
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Nursery Schools
Educational and social programs are provided for three to five year olds for less than three hours per day, two to five times per week, and often follow a school-year schedule. Preschools which operate more than three hours per day are required to become licensed through the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. Preschools operated by public or private schools are exempt from licensing. Preschools may voluntarily register with the NYS Education Department, which sets guidelines for facility, staff and program.
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Summer Day Camp
A program or facility that operates during the summer months and is typically monitored by Department of Health guidelines.
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In-Home Care
Care provided by a relative or non-relative within a child’s home.
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Education/Experience of Caregivers
Caregivers in child care centers, school-age programs, and registered/licensed family child care programs must receive a minimum of thirty hours of educational training every two years, fifteen hours of which must be completed during their first six months of employment in a center or school-age program. In family child care programs, providers must complete fifteen hours of training during the first six months of program registration or licensing.
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If you have any questions, please contact the Capital District Child Care Council and speak to one of our Referral Counselors by calling 518 426-7181, or by emailing Tricia Wtodarczak
