Voluntary Registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens
This site is for the voluntary registration of nonpublic nursery schools and kindergartens, which must comply with Commissioner's Regulations, Part 125. Registered nursery schools provide programs for preschool children between the ages of three and five years. Registered kindergarten programs must adhere to the age eligibility requirements established by the public school district where the child resides. Registered schools receive a certificate that is valid for a five year period.
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
About the Program
History
The ¿ìè³É°æÊÓƵ has operated a voluntary registration program for nonpublic nursery schools and kindergartens since 1957.Ìý It replaced a mandatory registration program in effect from 1939 to 1948 when mandatory registration was struck down by the New York State Court of Appeals.
Definition of School
Part 125.1(a) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education defines nonpublic nursery schools and kindergartens as schools that are:
- organized for the purpose of educating a group or groups of six or more children less than seven years old;
- under supervision of qualified teachers;
- providing an adequate program of learning activities; and
- maintaining good standards of health and safety.
Onsite Visits Required (CR 125.2 Revised by Regents in 2005)
- new applicants
- schools near end of certification period
- schools with new owners
- schools with new construction or major renovations
- follow-up on regulatory compliance issues
Typical Program Schedules
- part day/five days per week (no more than 3 hours per session per day)
- part day/split sessions (i.e., MWF or TuTh)
- full day/five days per week (if more than three consecutive hours per session per day, must be licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) upstate and by the Department of Health (DOH) in New York City
- extended day (more than three hours per session, per day, must be licensed by OCFS or DOH)
Program Variations
- nursery schools
- formal kindergartens (prepare students for first grade)
- parent cooperatives
- Montessori method
- mixed age groupings (3 - 5 year olds)
Becoming an Early Education Provider
To start a nursery school or kindergarten in New York State, please contact the Office of Nonpublic Schools at: (518) 474-6541 or visit the new schools page on their website.
Voluntary registered nonpublic nursery schools and kindergartens must comply with Commissioner's Regulations, Part 125. Registered nursery schools provide programs for preschool children between the ages of three and five years. Registered kindergarten programs must adhere to the age eligibility requirements established by the public school district where the child resides. Registered schools receive a certificate that is valid for a five year period.
Those wishing to register their nonpublic nursery school or kindergarten will begin by following the directions for the Registration Process, shown below.
Registration Process
The process for becoming a voluntary registered nonpublic nursery school and/or kindergarten begins with the submission of an application and required documentation.
After review and approval of the application, an onsite visit is conducted to (1) verify the contents of the application, (2) check indoor and outdoor facilities, (3) observe program operations, and (4) provide technical assistance as needed. Registration is valid for a period of five years. During the five year time period, schools must continue to comply with all regulations and submit documentation of such as requested by the Department.
Note: Incomplete applications will be returned for revision and resubmission.Ìý
Ìý
Registration Application:ÌýMicrosoft Word document format
Materials That Support the Application
This forms page contains some, but not all of the materials that must be included with the application. Please refer to the Materials That Support the Application shown on the application itself for a complete list.
All buildings which are owned, operated, or leased by a public school district or BOCES must be inspected for fire safety at least annually.ÌýÌýNo building which is owned, operated, or leased by a public school district or BOCES may be occupied or otherwise used unless the building has a valid Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Commissioner. Annual fire safety inspections may not commence earlier than 45 days prior to the school’s annual due date. Refer to the Annual Report and Fire Safety Report memo for further information.
Voluntary registered nursery schools and kindergartens must provide the education, training and professional experience of certified and noncertified staff members, including individuals certified in other countries and in States other than New York.
This form is to be completed for any Lead/Head Teacher not professionally/permanently certified in Early Childhood Education (B-2).
The Education Department’s policy is to use e -mail for all bulk correspondence to registered schools, so it is important that we have the correct email address for your school and all designated staff.
Voluntary registered nursery schools and kindergartens are required to provide the State Education Department with information about each child's most recent dental checkup. This form provides a template for requesting this information from families.
Fire drills must be conducted on a monthly basis and not dictated by weather. It is recommended thatÌý alternate exits be used and that times and days vary with each drill.Ìý New staff and children should receive orientation to these procedures on their first day of employment or enrollment.
Use this form to indicate that each child's medical records have been documented.
Construction - Renovation Form
All NYS registered nursery schools and kindergartens are required to disclose any planned indoor & outdoor construction or major renovation to the site.
Annual Report
All Nursery Schools and Kindergartens registered with the State of New York are required to submit the Annual Report by July 31st each year to the ¿ìè³É°æÊÓƵ's Office of Early Learning.
Annual Reports are due each year at the end of July.
Directory of Voluntary Registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens
The Directory of Voluntary Registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens is updated as changes are reported.Ìý To report changes, please use the Contact Information Update Form below.Ìý Refer questions to oel@nysed.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q.Ìý What is a voluntary registered nonpublic school?
- A voluntary registered nonpublic school is a nursery school and/or kindergarten that is defined in Commissioner’s Regulations Part 125 as:
- Organized for the purpose of educating a group or groups of six or more children less than seven years of age, under the supervision of qualified teachers, providing an adequate program of learning activities and maintaining good standards of health and safety.
- Registered by the Department upon the submission of satisfactory evidence that it meets the standards set forth in Commissioner’s Regulations. After approval of the application, an onsite visit is made to finalize the registration process.
Q.Ìý What are the basic requirements for becoming a registered nonpublic nursery school or kindergarten?
- Schools that seek voluntary registration must provide evidence that they:
- Comply with state and local fire, health, and building codes;
- Comply with Commissioner’s Regulations, Part 125, in regard to indoor and outdoor facilities; staff qualifications; adult-child ratios; staff health exams, tuberculin tests, CPR, and first aid training; student physical exams and immunizations; meals and snacks; educational program, equipment and materials; and emergency procedures; and
- Have met the requirements for licensing by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, if services for children under seven are provided for more than three hours per day, per child.
Q.Ìý What additional requirements exist for schools that are a corporation?
- The Purpose section of the Certificate of Incorporation must authorize the school to operate a "nonpublic nursery school and/or kindergarten." If not, a Certificate of Amendment, including this language, must be submitted with the application; and
- The ¿ìè³É°æÊÓƵ’s Office of Nonpublic Schools must be contacted to initiate the process for securing education corporation status.
Q.Ìý What happens after all state and local requirements have been met?
- A certificate of registration, valid for a five-year period, signed by the Commissioner of Education and with the embossed seal of the Board of Regents, will be issued to the nonpublic nursery school and/or kindergarten.
Q.Ìý If a registered nursery school and/or kindergarten operates less than 3 consecutive hours, does it need to be licensed?
- No. Schools that provide a program for children under 6 and operate less than 3 consecutive hours per day, per group are not required to be licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Regional offices license preschools and provide technical assistance and support. See list under Information.
Q.Ìý What is the age requirement for enrolling children in a registered nursery school and/or kindergarten?
- Children must reach their 3rd, 4th, or 5th birthday by December 1 or the date established by the public school district for entrance to kindergarten in which the child resides.
Q.Ìý Do group (lead or head) teachers in registered nursery schools and/or kindergartens need to be state certified?
- Part 125.6 (Staff Requirements) lists three options for teachers in registered schools:
- State certification in early childhood education or equivalent instruction and experience;
- Two year major in nursery education and three years experience; or
- Ten years experience and a minimum of 20 credit hours in early childhood education.
Q.Ìý What health information is required for children prior to their attendance/enrollment in a registered nursery school and/or kindergarten?
- Each child's health file must include (See Student Health Checklist under Forms): Ìý
- Up to date immunizations;
- Annual physical examination;
- Dental examination by a dentist; and
- Record of allergies or other special physical, mental, social or emotional needs.
Q.Ìý What information must be on file for staff of registered nursery schools and/or kindergartens?
- Each staff file must include: Ìý
- Annual physical examination;
- Tuberculin test results (biennial);
- Record of professional development including first aid and CPR training; and
- Staff Background Form (documentation of educational preparation, experience, and certification).
Q.Ìý What is the required adult-child ratio in registered nursery schools and/or kindergartens?
- In a registered school, at least two adults must be available to each group of children at all times. In addition, the following adult-child ratios must be adhered to (indoors and outside): Ìý
- Three Year Olds: 1-8
- Four year olds: 1-10
- Five year olds: 1-15
Q.Ìý Are registered nursery schools and/or kindergartens required to follow a state curriculum?
- No. New York State does not have a statewide curriculum for any grade level. However, curriculum guidance materials are available. Contact OEL@nysed.gov for more information.
Q.Ìý What other circumstances, in addition to submitting an Annual Report at the end of the school year, require directors to be in contact the Education Department?
- The Education Department must be contacted when there is a: Ìý
- Change of ownership of the school or corporation;
- Expansion or major renovation of indoor or outdoor facilities;
- Addition or elimination of a class, group or session;
- Change in educational director or group teacher.