One of the highest priorities for relocating families is locating a new school for their children and providing a smooth transition so learning can continue and new friendships can be formed. This chapter will provide an overview about many of the education resources available in New York City (NYC) and the surrounding area. You’ll also find information about private schools, a list of recommended immunizations for children up to 18 and data about the NYC school districts.
The NYC region is rich in education and childcare opportunities, from early childcare to graduate school. With approximately 2,500 public and private schools within the city, the NYC Department of Education educates more than 1.1 million children in the five NYC boroughs. The NYC Department of Education is the largest school system in the United States.
Parents can select from around 800 private pre-K–12 schools, which include institutions rooted in religious traditions, schools that provide intensive academic experiences or reflect a particular pedagogy and schools that specialize in specific populations. This diversity of schools helps fulfill the American ideal of educational pluralism and collectively contributes to teaching, nurturing and inspiring young minds.
CHILDCARE
Upon arrival to the NYC, a priority for parents is choosing childcare, especially for children under the age of 6. Many couples are professional, dual-income earners and may not have close or extended family nearby to help. Luckily, the area offers many options and resources, including licensed facilities, independent childcare homes and in-home professionals.
DEFINING CHILDCARE TERMS
The many different types of childcare programs in New York City vary in location, age allowance, number of children and staff qualifications. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Bureau of Childcare registers all childcare centers, family daycare homes, group family daycare homes and after-school childcare programs in the area, but there are still unregulated informal childcare options, which are usually too small (three children or fewer) to be licensed or are run by nonprofit organizations, such as churches.
According to the Bureau of Childcare, childcare can be broken down into the following types of operations:
Informal Childcare
Usually located in a home
For children of all ages
Less than three children allowed in addition to provider’s own children
Not required to register because they are legally exempt
Center-Based (Group) Childcare
Not located in a home
For children from birth to 6 years old
Three or more children allowed
Must have an educational director
Teachers degreed in early childhood education or related studies or the required minimum childcare training
Regulated by NYC Health Code Article 47
Family Daycare
Located in a home
For children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old
Three to eight children allowed
Must have at least two years of experience caring for children under 6 years old OR one year experience plus six hours of training in early childhood development
Regulated by New York State (NYS) Social Services Law Section 390 Part 417
Group Family Daycare
Located in a home
For children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old
Seven to 16 children allowed
Must have at least two years of experience caring for children under 6 years old OR one year experience plus six hours of training in early childhood development
Must have an assistant present with the same qualifications stated above
Regulated by NYS Social Services Law Section 390 Part 416
School-Age Childcare (After School)
Located in a school or commercial facility
For children from kindergarten through 12 years old
Seven or more children allowed
Must have a director and staff with at least a high school diploma and two years of experience working with children under 13 years old
Regulated by NYS Social Services Law Section 390 Part 414
For more information about New York State’s daycare operations, including search directories of licensed childcare sites in your neighborhood and for help with choosing or paying for childcare, visit www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/dc/dc-find.shtml.
OTHER CHILDCARE OPTIONS
Nannies
Nannies are employed by the family and can be live-in, live-out, part-time or full-time to undertake all tasks related to the care of the children. Duties generally are restricted to childcare and the domestic related tasks. Nannies may or may not have had formal training although they often have extensive childcare experience and a background in early childhood education. Typically, full-time employed nannies will work 40–60 hours per week and usually is unsupervised.