Helping build strong families and strong communities…

You can help make a difference in your Bronx community by assisting neighborhood families in need of safe, reliable childcare. Become a day care provider and help make a difference for children and families in need.

To become a child care provider in New York City you must be at least 18 years old and have a Family Day Care Registration Certificate or License issued by the New York City Department of Health on behalf of the Office of Children and Family Services.

There are two types of child care providers. A registered family day care provider cares for up to 6 children. A licensed group family day care provider cares for up to 12 children. If you are applying to become a licensed group family day care provider you will need an assistant who is at least18 years old who will be required to complete much of the same process as you will.

1. Complete an Application
   • To become a registered family day care provider caring for no more than 6 children, contact:

     New York City Department of Health
     Office of Family Day Care Registration
     160 West 100th Street, Room 200
     New York, NY 10025
     (212) 280-9251

     As a registered family day provider you will be required to identify an emergency back-up person who is at least 18 years old who will be required to complete much of the same process as you.

   • To become a licensed group family day care provider caring for up to 12 children, contact:

     New York City Department of Health
     Day Care Program
     2 Lafayette Street, 22nd Floor
     New York, NY 10007
     (212) 676-2444

     As a licensed group family provider you will be required to hire an Assistant Provider and have an emergency back-up person both of who are at least 18 years old. Both will be required to complete much of the same process as you.

2. Attend Training and Obtain a Certificate

   You will be required to attend a 15-hour training course on child health and safety issues provided by a State Certified Trainer. This is a competency training explaining health and safety requirements. You will be required to pass all areas of a final exam to obtain the necessary Certificate.

   If you are applying to become a licensed group family day care provider, your Assistant Provider must attend the training and obtain the certificate as well.

3. Provide Medical Information

   You and all family members residing in your home as well as your emergency back-up person and your Assistant Provider will be required to pass medical exams and provide documentation of such.

4. Fingerprinting

   You, your emergency back-up person, Assistant Provider and all household members 18 years of age or older will be required to be fingerprinted by the New York City Department of Health.

5. Child Abuse Registry Clearance

   You, your emergency back-up person, Assistant Provider and all household members 18 years of age or older must be cleared with the New York State Central Registry for Child Abuse and Maltreatment.

6. Home Inspection

   Your home will be required to meet strict child safety standards and will be inspected by the New York City Department of Health for compliance. On-going inspections will occur regularly.

7. Approval & Recruiting Children

   When you are approved to operate a Family Day Care Program you will receive a Registration Certificate. If you are approved to operate a Group Family Day Care Program you will receive a License. Once you have this, you can start caring for children. All providers are independent contractors who are able to recruit their own clientele as well as receive subsidized children from ACS/ACD contracted programs.

   

8. On-going Training & License Renewals

   Most Registration Certificates or Licenses are renewed every 2 years. You will be required to take an additional 30 hours of training prior to beginning the renewal process.

If you are interested in affiliating with Cardinal McCloskey Services:

1. Contact our Day Care Program at:

   PLEASE NOTE: A copy of your registration certificate or license will be needed.

   Cardinal McCloskey Services
   Family Day Care Program
   349 East 149th Street, 9th Floor
   Bronx, NY 10451
   (718) 402-0081

2. Attend CMS Orientation

   Once we receive your inquiry, if we have a need for providers in your neighborhood, we will invite you to an orientation to learn more about our program and requirements.

3. Complete the Screening Form

   Following the orientation, if you are still interested, you will be asked to complete a Screening Form. The form asks questions about your background, family composition and number of people living in the home, space available, your availability, preferences, etc.

4. Completing the Home-study

   After we receive your completed Screening Form, we will assign you a Social Worker who will work with you as you complete the various stages of screenings, home-study and affiliation. A home-study involves participation in home visits, interviews, and training sessions with Cardinal McCloskey staff. During the home-study process family history and medical information will be requested and will require documentation.

5. Fingerprinting, Background Checks and Clearances

   You, your family members age16 and older as well as your emergency back-up person and Assistant Provider (if applicable) will be referred to the NYC Department of Investigation where you will be fingerprinted. Everyone must also be cleared through the NYS Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register.

6. Child Abuse Awareness Training

   Once all forms and background checks are successfully completed, you will be referred for 3 hours of training on the identification, reporting and prevention of child abuse and maltreatment in child care. The training is held at the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS), Division of Child Care/Headstart offices.

7. Registration with NYC Administration for Children's Services

   Once the training is complete, CMS will then complete the necessary paperwork to have you registered with the NYC Administration for Children's Services - Division of Child Care/Headstart.

8. Congratulations & Welcome to Cardinal McCloskey Services

   Once you are registered with ACS, CMS will work with you to place children in your home. As a Cardinal McCloskey Provider you will receive on-going technical assistance, training and support from our organization. Our approach to child care is a holistic one and we encourage on-going open communication among our Child Care Providers, Parents and Program Staff.