FAQ:

• Prospective Providers
• Parents
• Employers

PROSPECTIVE PROVIDERS:

Q- What is the difference between Family Day Care and Group Family Day?

A- Family Child Care and Group Family Child Care are provided in a residence.

• Family Day Care (FDC)Providers are reviewed by the Child Care Council of Orange County. The provider can take up to eight children. A FDC Provider is registered.
  
• Group Family Day Care Providers are reviewed by the Yonkers Regional Office. They may take up to fourteen children. An assistant is required. A GFDC Provider is licensed
  

Q- How do I become a registered/licensed child care provider?

A- To become a registered Family Child Care Provider, we will need to have your name, address, and phone #. We then will enter your name into the state's computer system where an application will be generated and sent to you (takes about 3 weeks). In the meantime we will send you the next meeting date for an information session - this will answer your questions in regards to what it means to be a provider and to review the application. We suggest following the above steps to becoming a Group Family Child Care Provider also, although you will be working with the Yonkers Regional Office to license you.

Also, a prospective provider must have an inspection of their home. S/he must also pass a Health and Safety Competency course (see below).

Q- Do my own children count in my capacity?

A- There are two things to know:

• You can care for two children besides your own children and do not have to be registered.

• Once registered/licensed, the provider’s own children must be five years old and enrolled in kindergarten or above in order for them to no longer count in the provider’s day care capacity.

Q- Do I need a certain amount of space in my day care area?

A- NYS Regulations do not specify a specific amount of space to be a FDC or GFDC Provider. The residence must have 2 exits. There should be enough space for children to crawl, jump, walk, play, etc. comfortably. SACC (School Age programs) and Child Care Centers have a requirement of thirty-five square feet per child indoors.

Q- Are there grants available to help me?

A-There is a $500 start up grant for prospective providers who meet eligibility. Applications will be mailed to providers when their first piece of paperwork from their FDC application is received. Prospective GFDC Providers should call the Child Care Council for a grant application once their GFDC application has been submitted.

Those registered/licensed child care providers who are close to renewal may be eligible for a Health and Safety grant of $200. Call the Council for further information.

Q- Is there a cost to becoming a provider?

A- There is no cost to receive a registration or license. However, the prospective provider must meet the requirements of the regulations to become registered or licensed. Prospective providers must pass a Health and Safety Competency course which is $225. A prospective provider may use the Start up grant monies to pay for this course. Or they can pay out of pocket and be reimbursed by the state after they have passed the course and submitted paperwork for reimbursement.

Q- How long is the registration/license good for?

A-A registration/license is good for two years. About six months before the registration expires, you will be mailed a renewal application. One of the requirements to maintain your registration/license is to take thirty hours of training within your registration/license period. Certificates are given out at each training and the provider is responsible for submitting them with their renewal application.

PARENTS:

Q- As a parent, can I find out if any complaints have been lodged against a provider?

A- The Council can give you information so that your employees can receive free referrals to registered and/or licensed child care programs.

Q- As a parent, can I find out the violation history of my provider?

A- For a violation history from the past 2 years, you can call the numbers as listed above or visit the website www.ocfs.state.ny.us

Q- How do I choose a provider?

A- Is the provider caring? Is the environment clean? Are there developmentally appropriate toys and equipment for your child? Do you and the provider agree on the provider’s contract and policies? For more information, please contact the Council.

EMPLOYERS:

Q- What would an employer do if they thought they could help their employees’ search for child care?

A- The Council can give you information so that your employees can receive free referrals to registered and/or licensed child care programs.

Q- What is an enhanced referral?

A- An employer can contract with the Council so that their employees can receive an enhanced referral (this is when the Council calls providers to see if the provider has openings and can meet the needs of that parent).