Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

Types of Regulated Child Care in New York State
  1. Where can I find money to help me open a child care in my home?
    Give us a call. Our staff know about current grant and funding opportunities for child care development, expansion and sustainability.
  2. Who can help figure out if my home qualifies to be licensed or registered for home-based child care?
    Council staff are available to talk with you about minimum requirements and questions you may have. Give us a call.
  3. How do I get family referrals from the Council?
    Once you have received your license to operate, contact our office to let us know. We will send you some paperwork so that we can learn about your program, location, hours of operation and other information to share with families that call. This process is required for us to place you on our list of providers for referrals. We will check with you to update your record a couple of times a year – and always welcome your calls when you have openings you’d like us to know about.
  4. How do I become a member of the Early Childhood Business Alliance (ECBA)?
    FDC and GFDC businesses are currently eligible to become members of our ECBA.
    Contact the Council to learn more about ECBA benefits and how you can be become a member.
  5. How do I enroll in the food program? How much do I get paid for CACFP meal reimbursement?
    Contact our CACFP Specialist to enroll and get answers to your CACFP questions.
  6. Can I operate a licensed or registered child care program if I am not a U.S. Citizen?
    In order to operate a child care program without U.S. citizenship, you must have the legal right to work in the country and pay taxes. If you don’t qualify for a social security number you may have to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS. Contact us, or the Office of Children and Family Services office more information and consider reading Tom Copeland’s blog, How to Start a Business in the U.S. as a Foreign National.

Let us Know!

What questions do you have? What can we answer to improve this toolkit?
We will develop this page as your questions come in!

Building Access to Child Care Project (BACC) and Early Childhood Business Alliance (ECBA)
Early Childhood Career Development
NYS Child Care Licensing Process
Creating a Business Plan
Business Structure
Risk Management and Insurance
Financial Management and Record Keeping
Taxes
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Marketing
Curriculum Planning
Program and Employment Records and Forms
Working with Families: Communication, Contracts and Help Paying for Child Care
Caregiver Qualifications, Training and Professional Development Requirements
Quality Improvement
Professional Organizations
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
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