§416.13(a)(4): Provider references
The provider, assistants and substitutes must give the state the names, addresses and daytime phone numbers of at least two acceptable references who are not relatives. One must be able to speak to employment history if the person has worked outside the home, and one to character and personal qualifications. The citation concerns that paperwork.
| State regulation (18 NYCRR) | §416.13(a)(4) |
| Type | Records |
| Cited in our records | 259 times at 235 NYC home-based programs |
| Marked open right now | 81 |
The state's wording
The provider, assistant(s), and substitutes must each meet the following qualifications: provide to the Office the names, addresses and daytime telephone numbers of at least two acceptable references, other than relatives. At least one of the references must be able to attest to the employment history, work record and qualifications, if the person had ever been employed outside the home. At least one of the references must be able to attest to the character, habits and personal qualifications to be a group family day care provider, assistant, or substitute; and
This is the text the state (OCFS) attaches to the citation. It is a template, so it can sound harsher or vaguer than the finding behind it.
Worth asking the provider
Are the required references on file for everyone who works with the children?
Reading it on a record
Look at whether the citation is marked open or corrected, how long ago it was cited, and whether the same section shows up on several inspections. One corrected citation is common. The same one on visit after visit is worth a direct question. Our guide to checking a daycare and methodology explain the rest.
Look up a home daycare and read its record
Related sections
- §416.15(b)(11)(ii)(a): Child abuse register check forms
- §416.15(c)(6): Children's health and consent files
- §416.15(c)(13): Caregiver arrival and departure schedule
- §416.15(b)(11)(ii)(b): Justice Center register check forms
- §416.15(b)(11)(ii)(d): Sworn statement on convictions
Counts are from the inspection records we hold, as of 2026-10-19. The plain-English note was written by NYC Daycare Check from the city's wording; the citation on each provider's page is the record.