Family Day Care (FDC) Provider
A Family Day Care Provider:
- Operates a home based business in his/her private residence
- May care for infants, toddlers, pre-school, and school-aged children who need supervision after school.
- Cares for 3 to 6 children, including his/her own who are not yet school aged
***If any child younger than 2 years of age is present, the Family Day Care Provider may not care more than 5 children at one time.
The Family Day Care Provider:
- Has knowledge of child development, health, safety and nutrition
- Uses good speaking and listening skills to communicate with children and their families
- Plans routines and activities that contribute to each child's physical intellectual, emotional, and social well-being
The Family Day Care Provider’s skills include:
- Critical thinking, problem solving and techniques of child management
- An appreciation for all kinds of families and cultures
- Respect for the family as the child's first teacher
- Willingness to work as a partner with the family
The Family Day Care Provider must perform tasks including:
- Cooking cleaning shopping for food and supplies
- Keeping up with regulations meeting training requirements
Academic and Experience Requirements:
|
Be at least 18 years of age 2 years of experience caring for children less than 6 years of age (Experience can mean raising your own child as well as paid and unpaid experience in caring for children.) |
 OR |
Be at least 18 years of age 1 year of experience caring for children under 6 years of age AND 6 hours of training/education in early childhood development Training can mean educational workshops and courses in caring for preschool children. |
Ongoing Training/ Professional Development:
- The NYS Mandated Health and Safety training must be completed before opening the business.
- A Family Day Care Provider must complete 30 hours of training within the first year of registration.
- After the first year, 30 hours of training is required for every 2 years.
- The 15 hours of Health and Safety training count toward the 30 hours of required training.
- Training must address the following topics
- If the Family Day Care Provider plans to give out medicine to children in their program, NYS Medication Administration Training (MAT) and Infant/Child CPR/First Aid are required.
Information on becoming a Family Day Care Provider
Click on the links below:
- Do I want to become a Family Day Care provider?
- Steps on becoming a Registered Family Day Care Provider
- What is a Network?
- Once you are ready to open your business, you may be able to get $500 to help with work related expenses. Access start up grant information.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- After becoming registered, you may be qualified for the Educational Incentive Program (EIP) scholarship. The EIP helps to pay for training if you meet the requirements. Contact them at 1-800 295-9616.
