Legally Enrolled Services

Legally Exempt Child Care is when a parent chooses a family member, friend, or neighbor to care for their child(ren). Only two (2) non-related and/or eight (8) related children are allowed to be cared for. Legally exempt programs are not subject to health, safety, and training standards unless they care for children who receive government child care subsidies. 

Legally exempt care is a great option for parents who have special transportation, schedule, or budget needs.

To start the process, the parent of the child must go downtown to the Day Care Unit of Erie County’s Department of Social Services, located at 95 Franklin Street, Room 449, Buffalo, NY 14202. They may be reached at 716-858-8953, and are open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. If the parent is looking to receive assistance for legally exempt care, a child care assistance program case MUST be established with the Department of Social Services (DSS).

The parent must then choose their provider; this can be a family member, close friend, or neighbor they know.

Once the provider is chosen, the parent and the provider must complete an application together. It may be mailed to Child Care Resource Network or delivered in person at 1000 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216. Our Legally Exempt department may be reached at 716-877-6666 ext. 2594. A Legally Exempt Specialist from our staff will go over the application with you.

Once your application has been accepted and approved, it will take approximately 6-8 weeks to begin receiving payment.

Do you have more questions on the Legally Exempt process, and what is involved? See our complete guide to Legally Exempt Care HERE.