Here, following the fact-finding hearing, a dispositional hearing was held, at which the court received no evidence and no witnesses were called to testify. The failure to hold a proper dispositional hearing is dispositive and requires remand of the matter to the Family Court to conduct a full dispositional hearing, sufficient to permit the court to make a reasoned decision as to the father’s present capability to care for the children (see, Matter of Debra VV., supra; Matter of Nassar v Santmire, 99 AD2d 377; Matter of Carmen, 37 AD2d 629).
The Commissioner contends that a remand would be unnecessary here since the initial placement period has expired and an extension of placement hearing has been scheduled. We disagree. This is not a proper or adequate substitute for the required dispositional hearing which was never held. Moreover, the considerations and ultimate determination at each are different and should be fully and timely developed at the appropriate stage, as required by the statute. Concur — Murphy, P. J., Ross, Carro and Kassal, JJ.