New York ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with New York OCFS Regulations regulations. Bloomily helps New York childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for New York licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
newborn Regulation says 'under 6 weeks'; 6 weeks = ~1.5 months, represented here as max=2 months (exclusive). Ratio 1:3, max group 6. | 1:3 | 6 children |
Infants (0-12 months) Regulation: '6 weeks to 18 months', 1:4, max group 8. Infants may not be mixed with other age groups per OCFS rule. | 1:4 | 8 children |
toddler Regulation: '18 months to 36 months', 1:5, max group 12. | 1:5 | 12 children |
preschool_3 Regulation: '3 years old', 1:7, max group 18. | 1:7 | 18 children |
preschool_4 Regulation: '4 years old', 1:8, max group 21. | 1:8 | 21 children |
preschool_5 Regulation: '5 years old', 1:9, max group 24. | 1:9 | 24 children |
school_age_6_9 Regulation: 'School-age through 9 years', 1:10, max group 20. | 1:10 | 20 children |
school_age_10_12 Regulation: '10-12 years old', 1:15, max group 30. Upper bound 156 months (13th birthday) consistent with SACC definition of children under 13. | 1:15 | 30 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for New York childcare staff
Annual Training (30 hours)
New York 30-hour annual training requirement
Background Check (SCR/CBC)
New York Statewide Central Register and Criminal Background Check
Epinephrine Administration Training
Training for epinephrine auto-injector administration
First Aid
First Aid certification
Health Assessment
Physical examination for child care workers
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Mandated Reporter Training
New York State mandated reporter training
MAT Certification
Medication Administration Training for child care providers
Pediatric CPR
CPR certification for infants and children
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for New York childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Section 418-1.4: Evacuation/fire drills must be conducted at least monthly during various hours of operation; routes must be varied; when multiple shifts, monthly per shift. Records must be maintained on OCFS-furnished forms.
Ref: 18 NYCRR Part 418-1, Section 418-1.4 (Fire protection) — monthly evacuation drills; Section 418-1.5 (Safety) — two shelter-in-place drills annually. Source: Cornell LII https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/18-NYCRR-418-1.4 and https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/18-NYCRR-418-1.5
Shelter in Place
Section 418-1.5(b)(4): 'Each program must hold two shelter-in-place drills annually during which procedures and supplies are reviewed.' Parents must be notified in advance. Records required.
Ref: 18 NYCRR Part 418-1, Section 418-1.4 (Fire protection) — monthly evacuation drills; Section 418-1.5 (Safety) — two shelter-in-place drills annually. Source: Cornell LII https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/18-NYCRR-418-1.4 and https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/18-NYCRR-418-1.5
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
New York Pre-Inspection Checklist
Based on OCFS Regulations requirements • 45 items • Generated from bloomily.app
Center Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________
Organization
License displayed conspicuously
Ref: 418-1.1
Enrollment within licensed capacity
Ref: 418-1.1
Written policies and procedures available
Ref: 418-1.5
Parent handbook distributed
Ref: 418-1.5
Incident/injury reporting procedures in place
Ref: 418-1.5
Premises
Indoor space minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: 418-1.6
Outdoor space minimum (75 sq ft per child)
Ref: 418-1.6
Adequate heating and ventilation
Ref: 418-1.6
Lighting adequate in all areas
Ref: 418-1.6
Toilet facilities clean and accessible
Ref: 418-1.6
Handwashing sinks available
Ref: 418-1.6
Safe drinking water available
Ref: 418-1.6
Rest area/equipment for napping
Ref: 418-1.6
Health & Safety
Daily health observation performed
Ref: 418-1.11
Handwashing procedures implemented
Ref: 418-1.11
Diapering procedures followed
Ref: 418-1.11
Medication administration policy
Ref: 418-1.11
First aid kit properly stocked
Ref: 418-1.11
Emergency evacuation plan posted
Ref: 418-1.12
Fire drills conducted monthly
Ref: 418-1.12
Shelter-in-place drills conducted
Ref: 418-1.12
Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors working
Ref: 418-1.12
Fire extinguishers inspected
Ref: 418-1.12
Hazardous materials secured
Ref: 418-1.12
Outdoor equipment safe and maintained
Ref: 418-1.12
Supervision
Staff-to-child ratios maintained
Ref: 418-1.8
Children supervised at all times
Ref: 418-1.8
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: 418-1.8
Release only to authorized persons
Ref: 418-1.8
Staff Requirements
Background checks completed (SCR/CBC)
Ref: 418-1.13
Director meets qualifications
Ref: 418-1.13
Staff credentials on file
Ref: 418-1.13
CPR/First Aid certification current
Ref: 418-1.13
Annual training completed (30 hrs)
Ref: 418-1.13
Health statements for all staff
Ref: 418-1.13
Mandated reporter training completed
Ref: 418-1.13
Child Records
Enrollment forms complete
Ref: 418-1.14
Emergency contact info current
Ref: 418-1.14
Immunization records on file
Ref: 418-1.14
Health exam records current
Ref: 418-1.14
Allergy/medical conditions documented
Ref: 418-1.14
Attendance records maintained
Ref: 418-1.14
Programming
Daily schedule posted
Ref: 418-1.9
Age-appropriate activities provided
Ref: 418-1.9
Outdoor play time included
Ref: 418-1.9
This checklist is provided for reference only. Always verify requirements with your state licensing agency.
© 2026 Bloomily • bloomily.app/childcare-licensing/ny
Pre-Inspection Checklist
45 items based on New York OCFS Regulations requirements
License displayed conspicuously
Ref: 418-1.1
Enrollment within licensed capacity
Ref: 418-1.1
Written policies and procedures available
Ref: 418-1.5
Parent handbook distributed
Ref: 418-1.5
Incident/injury reporting procedures in place
Ref: 418-1.5
Indoor space minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: 418-1.6
Outdoor space minimum (75 sq ft per child)
Ref: 418-1.6
Adequate heating and ventilation
Ref: 418-1.6
Lighting adequate in all areas
Ref: 418-1.6
Toilet facilities clean and accessible
Ref: 418-1.6
Handwashing sinks available
Ref: 418-1.6
Safe drinking water available
Ref: 418-1.6
Rest area/equipment for napping
Ref: 418-1.6
Daily health observation performed
Ref: 418-1.11
Handwashing procedures implemented
Ref: 418-1.11
Diapering procedures followed
Ref: 418-1.11
Medication administration policy
Ref: 418-1.11
First aid kit properly stocked
Ref: 418-1.11
Emergency evacuation plan posted
Ref: 418-1.12
Fire drills conducted monthly
Ref: 418-1.12
Shelter-in-place drills conducted
Ref: 418-1.12
Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors working
Ref: 418-1.12
Fire extinguishers inspected
Ref: 418-1.12
Hazardous materials secured
Ref: 418-1.12
Outdoor equipment safe and maintained
Ref: 418-1.12
Staff-to-child ratios maintained
Ref: 418-1.8
Children supervised at all times
Ref: 418-1.8
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: 418-1.8
Release only to authorized persons
Ref: 418-1.8
Background checks completed (SCR/CBC)
Ref: 418-1.13
Director meets qualifications
Ref: 418-1.13
Staff credentials on file
Ref: 418-1.13
CPR/First Aid certification current
Ref: 418-1.13
Annual training completed (30 hrs)
Ref: 418-1.13
Health statements for all staff
Ref: 418-1.13
Mandated reporter training completed
Ref: 418-1.13
Enrollment forms complete
Ref: 418-1.14
Emergency contact info current
Ref: 418-1.14
Immunization records on file
Ref: 418-1.14
Health exam records current
Ref: 418-1.14
Allergy/medical conditions documented
Ref: 418-1.14
Attendance records maintained
Ref: 418-1.14
Daily schedule posted
Ref: 418-1.9
Age-appropriate activities provided
Ref: 418-1.9
Outdoor play time included
Ref: 418-1.9
New York compliance and operations resources
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
Ready to simplify New York compliance?
Join childcare centers across New York that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.
60-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime.