Child Care Providers & Employers
Becoming a Provider
Are you thinking of starting a child care program? Families in Warren, Washington and Hamilton counties need high quality child care! You have the opportunity to help families in the community by becoming a family child care provider or opening a child care center or school-age program. There are many considerations before beginning the process. Please take a moment to go through each of the topics listed below. Although it may not seem like every step applies to you … it does! If you decide that opening a child care program is right for you, please call the Child Care Network at 518 798-7972 or toll-free 800-807-3224, send an email to info@saccn.org or click here for an on-line inquiry form.
- Reasons to start a child care business: Your reasons for opening a child care program will affect the type of care you provide. This link offers insight into why you might open a child care program.
- Getting started. Gives you an overview of what you need to know so you can decide if running a child care business is a good investment for you.
- Preparing a business plan. Helps you define how much money you will need, how you will earn it, and how you will spend it.
- Preparing a management plan. Helps you plan how you will run your business.
- Training. Helps you plan the training you will need.
- Program planning. Helps you plan the environment and plan for the children’s growth and development.
- Resources. Gives you local and national resources that will help you be a successful child care provider.
- Needs assessment: Before you invest money in a child care business, you need to determine if your community needs another child care center or family child care home.
- Finding a Location: Before you decide to use your home for a family child care business or commit to a building for a child care center, you will need to look at indoor and outdoor space for health and safety issues. You will also need to check zoning and homeowner association covenants.
Source: Child Care Aware/Child Care Providers: http://childcareaware.org/child-care-providers
How to Start a Family Child Care Program in the Home
Download a PDF that explains the steps to becoming a registered family child care provider in New York.
Finances and Your New Child Care Business
Health and Safety is required by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to open a family or group family child care program. Check our calendar for upcoming dates for the next series.
Health and Safety Training:
- Learn to provide safe and secure play-spaces for children from child development experts.
- Prepare for situations such as fires and medical emergencies with proven methods that follow NYS regulations.
- Learn your responsibilities as a mandated reporter of child abuse.
- Provide a healthy environment by mastering infection control techniques, learning to conduct daily health checks, and keep accurate health histories
How to Start a Child Care Center or School-Age Program
The Southern Adirondack Child Care Network provides support for people and organizations that are interested in starting a Child Care Center or School-Age Child Care programs in their communities. To obtain a registration, the applicant must show that the child care program meets requirements that the state has established to help ensure the health and safety of children in care. For information on how to start a child care center or school-age program outside of your home, contact Patty Miller at 518 798-7972, extension 211 or via email at millerp@saccn.org.
In addition, the New York State Division of Child Care Services Albany Regional Office holds a free Child Care Center Orientation class on the 2nd Monday of every month from 1-3pm. For more information on registering for this class, contact New York State Division of Child Care Services Albany Regional Office at (518) 402-3038.