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Become a Group Family Day Care Provider

Do I Want To Become A Group Family Day Care Provider?

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Before making the decision to become a Group Family Day Care (GFDC) Provider, it is a good idea to look carefully at your life situation, family needs, career goals, skills, and talents.

The following may help you evaluate how well suited you are to running a Group Family Day Care business.

Check “Yes” or “No” to the following: YES NO
1. I like being around children and feel comfortable working with them.    
2. My family and I are comfortable with the idea of running a child-care business in our home.    
3. I am willing to make changes to my home to have room for the needs of children (i.e. safety gates, latches on cabinets, moving furniture, etc.)    
4. I understand that, while I will set up regular hours of operation, I will have to adjust to the parent’s schedules.    
5. My family and partner are also willing to be flexible with their schedules if necessary for my business.    
6. I realize that the parents of the children I will care for will be depending on me as an important resource.    
7. I understand that physical discipline or any kind of physical punishment is strictly prohibited.    
8. I understand that the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) may visit my home at any time, sometimes without advance notice.    
9. I understand that Group Family Day Care is a business, and I will need to keep up with all of the necessary tax and financial records, provide equipment and materials, and obey all state and city regulations.    

Steps To Becoming A Registered Group Family Day Care Provider

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STEP 1: REQUEST AN APPLICATION

STEP 2: COMPLETE THE HEALTH STATEMENT

  • A health-care provider must sign the health statement for you, all household members (even if they are not related to you), and your alternative provider.
  • Arrange your medical appointments as soon as you receive the application, to not get behind on the application process.
  • Make sure everybody in the household and the healthcare provider signs the health statement.

STEP 3: FILL OUT THE APPLICATION

  • Read and review the application thoroughly before you start.
  • Make a photocopy of the blank application.
  • Fill in this photocopy and then copy your answers onto the original application to avoid errors.
  • Fill out each section completely.
  • Use the checklist “Group Family Day Care Required Documents” in the front of the application package.
    • This checklist lists each item needed to complete the application.
  • Contact a local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR& R) agency Adobe Acrobat Icon or Child-Care Network for help.
    • They can proofread and review your application before you submit it.

STEP 4: COMPLETE THE 15-HOUR HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING

STEP 5: SUBMIT THE APPLICATION

  • Tear all of the necessary pages out of the booklet.
  • Make a Xerox copy of your completed application.
  • Place them in a large envelope.
  • Mail or hand-deliver the completed application package to:
    NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
    Bureau of Day Care
    Family Day Care Registration Office
    160 West 100th Street, Suite 200
    New York, N.Y. 10025
    • If you hand-deliver your application packet, be sure to get a receipt.

STEP 6: RECEIVE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER

  • After submitting your application, you will receive an Acknowledgement Letter from the DOH Bureau of Day Care.
    • This letter confirms that the application has been received and is being reviewed.
    • This letter will list any additional requirements for application.
    • Keep this letter. You will need it when you are fingerprinted, to enter the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and to get information about your application.
    • This letter gives the name and telephone number of the DOHMH Community Associate assigned to your case.
  • All additional application requirements must be submitted within 90 days of the receipt of the Acknowledgment Letter.

STEP 7: SUBMIT FINGERPRINTS

  • You, your alternative provider, and everyone 18 years old and older living in your home (including non-family members) must submit fingerprints.
  • Fingerprints may be taken free of charge at:
    • Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR & R)
      Call: your local CCR & R Adobe Acrobat Icon for a location near you
      or call the CCR & R hotline: (888) 469-5999

STEP 8: PRE-REGISTRATION HOME INSPECTION

After you submit your application, a DOHMH Bureau of Day Care Inspector will set up an appointment to do an inspection of your home to make sure it fulfills NYS Group Family Day Care regulations.

  • NYS Group Family Day Care regulations can be found at: www.ocfs.state.ny.us
  • Do not make any major repairs to your home or buy child-oriented equipment before your inspection.
  • If you pass the inspection, you may begin to care for up to 2 children in your home.

STEP 9: RECEIVE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE

  • Your Group Family Day Care Registration Certificate should arrive by mail after all application requirements have been reviewed and approved.
  • If your Registration Certificate does not arrive after 90 days, you should contact your DOHMH Community Associate.
  • A delay in receiving your Registration Certificate may be because there is a problem with your application.

What Is A Network?

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Group Family Day Care Networks:
  • Connect parents who need childcare to registered and licensed providers in their communities
  • Keep an eye on the quality of GFDC homes that belong to their network
  • Offer GFDC providers help in meeting health and safety regulations
  • Some offer assistance in Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) enrollment and in completing other paperwork
  • Some offer training and gain access to materials
  • Place children that need care in family childcare slots with registered providers.

ACS Networks:

  • Are under contract with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Adobe Acrobat Icon
  • Receive funds for the children covered by their services
  • Charge a fee to providers who belong to the network
  • Staff conducts frequent visits to GFDC homes to make sure programs are meeting state licensing standards and ACS program guidelines
  • Assist providers with regulatory paperwork, program quality, and enrollment in the CACFP.

Click here for a list of Group Family Day Care Networks Adobe Acrobat Icon

Start Up Grant Information

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  • Starting and maintaining a childcare business from home involves start-up costs and ongoing expenses.
  • Grants are financial aid awards that don’t have to be paid back.
  • $200 Grants are available for providers who already have their license or registration.
  • $500 Start up grants are available for people who are in the process of becoming a Family Day Care Provider or a Group Family Day Care Provider.
  • For more information, on start-up grants call these organizations after you receive your Acknowledgement Letter. For those who are already registered or licensed, call now!
    • Bronx
      • St. Peter’s Network (718) 320-4945
    • Brooklyn
      • Child Development Support Corporation (718) 398-2050
      • CAMBA (718) 282-2500
      • Graham Windham (718) 875-1167
    • Manhattan
      • Committee for Hispanic Children & Families (212) 206-1090
      • Day Care Council (212) 206-7818
      • Chinese American Planning Council (212) 941-0920
      • Child Care Inc. (212) 929-7604

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I care for children in my home without registering to become a Group Family Day Care provider?

  • You can take care of up to 2 unrelated children in your home without registering.
  • If you wish to take care of 3 or more unrelated children for more than 3 hours a day, you must register with the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) or you will be working illegally.

What does it mean to be a “registered” Group Family Day Care provider?

  • You have completed and submitted the NYS Initial Group Family Day Care Application.
  • You have completed the required 15-hour NYS mandated Health and Safety training.
  • Your home has been inspected by the NYC DOHMH Bureau of Day Care and passed inspection requirements.
  • You and your home are in agreement with the NYS Department of Social Service regulations.
  • You have received an operating certificate from the NYC DOHMH
  • You renew your registration and training on a regular basis, as required by law.

Are there places where I can get help with the registration process and with starting my business?

Yes. There are 3 general sources of technical assistance and support:

  1. Community Associate at the DOHMH.
  2. Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs) Adobe Acrobat Icon
  3. Day Care networks Adobe Acrobat Icon

Once I receive my Group Family Day Care registration, how do I sign up and enroll children into my business?

  • Create flyers and business cards that you can hand out wherever there may be parents in need of childcare, such as at local health fairs, churches, stores, etc.
  • Through non-profit community organizations and Group Family Day Care networks that work with NYC agencies to refer children to registered Group Family Day Care providers.

What are some of the costs connected with starting a Group Family day Care business?

Initial business expenses may include:

  • Health and safety training (15 hours)
  • Liability insurance
  • Medical expenses (for medical exams to complete the Health Statement part of the application, if you do not have health insurance)
  • Books, toys, and equipment
  • Business promotion materials, such as business cards and flyers
  • Necessary repairs to your home

Is there financial assistance available to help me with training and start- up expenses?

  • There are start-up grants available for new providers, which can be used to pay for some expenses
  • Call your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency (CCR & R) to get more information about start-up grants

What are my labor and tax responsibilities?

You are required to:

  • File taxes for your business
  • Operate your program in agreement with federal and state labor and tax laws
  • Pay social security, federal and state unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation, and disability benefits
  • Pay at least the minimum wage if you employ an Assistant