Childcare centers in Nassau County need a New York State Office of Children and Family Services license, fire-marshal inspection, NCDOH approval, and local zoning permits, with home-based daycares limited to set child counts under state law.
Daycares operating in Nassau County must hold the appropriate New York State Office of Children and Family Services credential under Title 18 NYCRR Parts 416 to 418. Group family daycare allows up to twelve children, family daycare up to six, and centers above twelve must meet a higher facility standard. Zoning approval comes from each town or village; many require special use permits even for home-based providers. The Nassau County Department of Health reviews sanitation and food service. Annual fire-marshal inspections check egress, sprinklers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and lockdown procedures. Background checks include fingerprinting through DCJS.
Operating an unlicensed daycare is a Class A misdemeanor under Social Services Law section 390 with fines up to five hundred dollars per child per day and immediate closure.
Nassau County, NY
New York state law requires smoke detectors in all residences. Since April 2019, all smoke alarms sold in NY must be 10-year sealed-battery or hardwired unit...
Nassau County, NY
Nassau County home-based daycares must be registered or licensed under NY OCFS rules. Family day care (up to 8 children) requires registration; group family ...
See how Nassau County's childcare center rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.