Where are NYC daycare inspection records?

For centers, on NYC Child Care Connect, which is the Health Department's site, and on every center page here. For home daycares, on the state OCFS child care search.

How do I know if a daycare is licensed?

If a center shows up on Child Care Connect, the city has a record for it. Check that the permit on that page is listed as active. Home daycares show up on the OCFS search.

Is one violation a red flag?

Usually the type matters more than the count. A general violation is upkeep or paperwork. A public health hazard is the city's most serious level. Repeats and anything still open are worth asking about.

How to check a daycare in NYC

The short answer

For a daycare center in NYC, look it up on NYC Child Care Connect, the inspection database of the NYC Health Department (DOHMH), or search it here for a plain-English summary. Home daycares are licensed by the state, so check the OCFS child care search instead. Then read the last 3 years of violations, not just the newest inspection.

Step 1: Figure out if it's a center or a home daycare

Centers are inspected by the Health Department. Home daycares are licensed by New York State OCFS. Different agency, different website.

Step 2: Look it up

For a center, search it on this site or on NYC Child Care Connect. For a home daycare, use the OCFS child care search.

Step 3: Read the last 3 years, not just the newest visit

Look at how serious each violation was, whether it got corrected, and whether the same thing keeps coming back.

Step 4: Check the card on the wall

The city requires every group child care program to post a performance summary card. Ask to see it on the tour.

Links: NYC Child Care Connect · OCFS child care search · which agency is which · card requirement from NYC Health

What should worry you

The city sorts violations into three levels. Public health hazards have to be fixed within one business day, critical violations within two weeks, and general ones within a month (the city's violation key). In our data, 1,204 centers have at least one supervision or staff-ratio violation in the last 3 years and 388 have a safe-sleep one. Every center page lists them at the top.

Also look for anything marked open and anything marked repeat. What each violation type means.

Questions to ask on the tour

"I saw this on your inspection record. What happened, and what changed?"
How many kids per caretaker, at drop-off and at nap?
Can I see the performance summary card?
What's the sick policy, and how do meals work?

FAQ

Where are NYC daycare inspection records?: For centers, on NYC Child Care Connect, which is the Health Department's site, and on every center page here. For home daycares, on the state OCFS child care search.
How do I know if a daycare is licensed?: If a center shows up on Child Care Connect, the city has a record for it. Check that the permit on that page is listed as active. Home daycares show up on the OCFS search.
Is one violation a red flag?: Usually the type matters more than the count. A general violation is upkeep or paperwork. A public health hazard is the city's most serious level. Repeats and anything still open are worth asking about.