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Introduction to the Child Care Business Course

Your step-by-step guide to opening and managing a successful child care program in New York.

Starting a child care business can be exciting, but also overwhelming. At the Child Care Education Center, our Introduction to the Child Care Business Course is designed to guide you through every step from licensing to marketing so you can start strong and stay compliant.
This course is perfect for anyone planning to open a group family day care, family child care, or for new providers looking to strengthen their business knowledge.

In this course, we break down each key area into easy-to-follow lessons with real-life examples and practical tools you can start using right away.

Why This Course Is Different

Templates, checklists, and resources you can use right away.

Learn from experienced providers who have successfully navigated the licensing process.

We make complex requirements easy to understand and follow.

Materials and instruction available in English and Spanish.

What You’ll Learn

In this course, we break down each key area into easy-to-follow lessons with real-life examples and practical tools you can start using right away.

License Types

Understand the different categories of child care licenses in New York State, their requirements, and which one best fits your goals.

Step-by-step guidance on using New York’s online system to submit your application, upload documents, and track your licensing progress.

Learn how to legally set up your child care business (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship) and the pros and cons of each option.

Find out how to obtain your Provider Identification Number to operate legally and connect with state systems.

Overview of the Administration for Children’s Services and Human Resources Administration programs, and how to enroll children whose care is subsidized.

Discover the benefits of joining a Family Child Care Network for extra resources, support, and funding opportunities.

Get templates and guidance for all required forms: enrollment, medical, consent, attendance, and more.

Learn how to create clear policies and a professional parent handbook that sets expectations and protects your business.

Introduction to Trello as a tool to organize daycare operations, track tasks, and stay on top of compliance deadlines.

Understand the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP): how to apply, track meals, and get reimbursed for serving nutritious food.

Learn how to navigate the CAPS system to efficiently manage child care subsidy cases.

Overview of developmentally appropriate curriculum planning to meet children’s needs while satisfying OCFS requirements.

How to set up, organize, and maintain each child’s file for licensing and safety purposes.

Guidance on required trainings for providers and staff, plus recommendations for professional growth.

What to expect during inspections, how to prepare, and how to maintain ongoing compliance.

Proven strategies to attract and retain families — from social media to community outreach.

How to choose the right business insurance to protect your program, plus tips for managing payroll if you hire staff.