DOHMH vs OCFS: which agency oversees your NYC daycare
The short answer
In NYC, daycare centers are permitted and inspected by the NYC Health Department (DOHMH), and their records are on Child Care Connect. Home daycares are licensed by the state's Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), and the OCFS search covers them. This site covers the centers.
Centers: the Health Department
In the Health Department's words, "A group child care (center-based) program is any program providing child care to three or more children under 6 years of age. These programs operate for five or more hours per week, for more than 30 days in a 12-month period." (NYC Health, information for operators)
The city also says: "All group child care programs are required to post a child care performance summary card issued by the NYC Department of Health." So ask to see it on your tour. (NYC Health, Child Care)
Home daycares: New York State OCFS
"Family day care and group family day care programs are located in residences," per NYC Health. Those are the state's. The OCFS search even says "To search for NYC-Center based programs visit the NYC Health website," which is how you know you're on the wrong site for a center. (OCFS child care search)
Who isn't regulated
"Informal child care providers are not regulated by the NYC Health Department." (NYC Health)
Where to look each one up
- Center: search here for the plain-English version, or NYC Child Care Connect for the city's own page.
- Home daycare: the OCFS child care search.
- Something unsafe or illegal: the city says call 311. A child in immediate danger: call 911. (NYC Health)
FAQ
- Which agency inspects NYC daycare centers?
- The NYC Health Department (DOHMH). It permits and inspects group child care centers, and its records are on NYC Child Care Connect.
- Which agency handles home daycares in NYC?
- New York State OCFS. Family day care and group family day care run in homes, and you look them up on the OCFS child care search.
- Why can't I find my daycare on Child Care Connect?
- It may be a home daycare, which the state licenses, or an informal provider, which the city doesn't regulate. Try the OCFS search.