Niagara Countys
Legally Exempt Child Care Program
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Who we are:
Our Legally Exempt Enrollment Department assists individuals who are interested in becoming legally exempt child care providers in Niagara County. Our team guides the enrollment process, including documentation guidance, eligibility determination, and information about required health, safety, and background requirements. Legally Exempt Child Care offers families a flexible child care option by allowing trusted relatives, friends, neighbors, or other dependable individuals to provide care for children receiving child care assistance. Enrolled providers may be eligible to receive subsidy payments through the county where they provide care while meeting the requirements established by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
What is Legally Exempt (LE) Child Care?
Legally Exempt Child Care is an option for families. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Division of Child Care, allows parents/caretakers to hire individuals to care for their child(ren). A legally exempt child care provider is not required to be licensed or registered to provide child care. Families eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can choose this type of care; however, the legally exempt provider/program must enroll with their enrollment agency in order to be paid. The Community Child Care Clearinghouse of Niagara is the enrollment agency for Niagara County.
Who Can Provide Care?
A legally exempt provider can be someone that the parent/caretaker is familiar with, like a friend, neighbor, family member, or someone else known to the family. Relatives, friends, or trusted neighbors can provide care for children receiving child care assistance while meeting basic health, safety, and background check requirements.
Where Can Care Take Place?
Care can be provided in the child(ren)’s home, the provider’s home, or in another residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Legally Exempt Provider is one adult caring for no more than 2 unrelated children in his/her home for more than 3 hours a day.
The amount paid by the county (in instances where subsidy is present) and/or by the parent(s) depends on a number of factors. Please contact our Legally Exempt department for more information.
Legally Exempt providers care for children in a residence or home.
Need More Information?
Contact our Legally Exempt department for guidance on enrolling as a legally exempt provider.
For Legally Exempt child care providers:
Legally exempt group, family, and in-home providers, caregivers, employees, and volunteers with the potential for regular and substantial contact with children are required to complete Foundations in Health and Safety e-learning. The training must be completed before enrollment.
The only exception to this is that a grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling (if living in a separate residence), aunt, or uncle who provides care for ONLY a child(ren) related to them will not be required to complete this requirement.
