Welcome to the BOC Community Childcare Forum!

It is a common saying that “Knowledge is Power” and every childcare provider is well aware of the truth of it. We need to share the knowledge we have gained, as providers of care for our communities’ children, easing the minds for our communities’ parents, and especially with each other in the childcare industry. This forum is a way for childcare providers of New York to communicate and support each other.

The forum is for us to build our network: including a space for discussion, information bulletins, and the latest news. As entrepreneurs, we need to keep our fingers on the pulse of the state, the community and the clientele, and abreast of what providers are doing. We can — and do — learn from each other, more than from any single source. This newsletter/BLOG will provide another avenue for communicating amongst the childcare ecosystem.

The existence of home-based and center-based childcare in New York is an incredibly important aspect of life for our citizens, for parents to have safe, affordable, childcare for their day to day lives.

New York State has a high bar in place to vet qualified people becoming childcare providers. NY State wants to help entrepreneurs establish successful, high-quality, childcare businesses with vital resources. The demand is high to have enough slots in NY to satisfy childcare needs.

Since NY State recognizes the need for quality childcare and its value, the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) website publicizes training programs, food programs, grants, state childcare industry info and other services. If you are a registered or licensed childcare provider, you have already worked with OCFS to establish your business. If not, there are resources you may want to refer to at the OCFS website.