A daycare license in New York is issued by New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 8 documents on file for staff and children and meet 6 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →New York childcare licensing is administered by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Daycare centers serving 7 or more children must be registered or licensed with OCFS. New York City programs are additionally regulated by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). S.8349 (2025) created the Empire State Child Care Workforce Bonus program paying licensed center staff annual retention bonuses.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (under 6 weeks–12 months) | 1:4 |
| Toddlers (12–18 months) | 1:4 |
| 18 months–3 years | 1:5 |
| Preschool (3–4 years) | 1:7 |
| 4–5 years | 1:8 |
| School age | 1:10 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)'s rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: New York OCFS Child Care
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per NYSDOH schedule required on file.
Medical/Health Assessment
Physician-signed health report required within 30 days of enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Proof of Age
Birth certificate or other acceptable documentation of child's date of birth.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: New York OCFS Child Care
Exemption Policy
Medical exemptions only. New York eliminated religious exemptions for school and childcare enrollment in 2019.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: New York OCFS Child Care
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
Statewide Central Register (SCR) clearance, Justice Center check, and fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff.
Lead Teacher Education
Group Teacher must hold a CDA credential, or associate's or bachelor's degree in ECE or related field.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Must complete OCFS-required pre-service training.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
30 hours of professional development annually required for all staff.
Director Qualifications
Director must hold a bachelor's degree in ECE or related field plus supervisory experience, per OCFS standards.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: New York OCFS Child Care
Inspection Frequency
At least two unannounced inspections annually. NYC programs also subject to DOHMH inspections.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact OCFS regional office to begin the application process. NYC programs additionally contact NYC DOHMH.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact OCFS for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: New York OCFS Child Care
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: New York OCFS Child Care
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the Mid-Atlantic.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.