Child Care Centers are child care providers whose programs are in a center, not in a home.
According to New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Child Care Center is:
A program or facility which is not a residence in which child day care is provided on a regular basis to more than six children for more than three hours per day. A day care center may provide care for children six weeks through 12 years of age.
In general:
- Small Day Care Centers provide care for up to six children, not in a personal residence.
- Day Care Centers provide care for more than six children at a time, not in a personal residence
For more information on group sizes, please refer to our brochure on Staff to Child Ratios.
|
AGE OF CHILDREN |
STAFF/CHILD MAXIMUM RATIO(*) |
GROUP SIZE(**) |
|
under 6 weeks(***) |
1:3 |
6 |
|
6 weeks to 18 months |
1:4 |
8 |
|
18 months to 36 months |
1:5 |
12 |
|
3 years |
1:7 |
18 |
|
4 years |
1:8 |
21 |
|
5 years |
1:9 |
24 |
Minimum Staff/Child Ratios Based on Group Size for School-aged Children
|
AGE OF CHILDREN |
STAFF/CHILD MAXIMUM RATIO(*) |
GROUP SIZE(**) |
|
through 9 years |
1:10 |
20 |
|
10-12 years |
1:15 |
30 |