Family Day Care offers child care in a family home on a regular basis for more than three hours per day per child. In this type of care there can be three to six children, ages six weeks through 12 years, plus two more school-age children.
One staff may care for up to six children younger than school age, or eight children when at least two of the eight children are school aged. There must always be one caregiver present for every two children under the age of two. To operate a Family Day Care, you must complete an online Orientation Session. Upon completion of the Orientation, you may request an application.
After you submit an application, you must attend a 15 hour Health and Safety Training. Applicants must submit all documents and clearances within 90 days. This includes fingerprinting and background checks. Each provider and assistant must complete a 30 hours of training in nine topic areas every two years. You must complete 15 of these hours within the first six months of employment. See Child Care Training Requirements for more information. Staff that will care for children must take the Foundations in Health and Safety course within three months of hire. This includes providers, assistants, substitutes and volunteers. Programs must have at least one staff trained in both Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. The CPR and first aid certificates must be appropriate to the ages of children in care. Providers must take Medication Administration Training to administer medication to children. This is not needed for over-the-counter topical ointments, or sunscreen and insect repellents.
The initial registration period for a Family Day Care program is two years. Thereafter, the renewal registration is effective for a four year period. Providers must follow the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations and all laws that apply.