Child Care Services

Day care programs planning to serve three or more children for more than three hours a day on a regular basis are regulated by the Office of Children and Family Services and must be licensed or registered.

Several state and local inspections must be performed during this process. Local fire and building codes inspections, zoning approvals and health regulations must be met. All regulated child care providers must have prior experience caring for children and must receive ongoing training in areas such as health and safety, nutrition, and child abuse prevention to maintain a license.

Pre-Permit Orientation Session is required for all new applicants. You may schedule one through your borough’s office. Advanced Registration is required.

Please note some applications are not available online. The Pre-Permit Orientation Session may provide you with an application or further information on obtaining an application. If not, you may go in person to request one from the NYCDOH Bureau of Child Care located at:

125 Worth St. 9th floor
New York, N.Y. 10013
Phone: 212-788-4828
Fax: 347-396-8054
Before you are able to operate your Child Care Service you will need to obtain the following: