Before starting your home daycare you will need to look into licensing requirements & regulations in your area. Requirements & regulations differ depending on your province or state.
This aspect of the daycare business may seem overwhelming for some early childhood caregivers. An important point to keep in mind is that licensing requirements are not complex regulations but rules that will make your job easier.
There is a good chance that you have already met many licensing requirements in your home daycare. Common sense and good safety practices are evident in many requirements.
For example, one of the requirements is that the daycare has a form of communication to reach assistance in case of an emergency. In other words, you need a phone. Well of course, any quality caregiver would make sure she has a way to contact help in case of an emergency.
Another example has to do with child to teacher ratios. The younger the child, the more time and attention they require.
Requirements limit the number of babies a daycare can enroll. This rule serves the child and the caregiver.
No person with childcare experience would agree to care for a large number of babies and toddlers because they realize the task that it entails.
Once you enquire about the exact licensing requirements for your local area you will quickly realize that most regulations will be easy and straightforward. Some requirements will simply ask you to take a bit of time to put down on paper a procedure you already have in practice.
For example, you will need to draw up a standard fire drill plan. It is likely that you have considered the possibility of a fire and you have fire extinguishers in your home.
You probably already have emergency contact numbers for all your daycare clients. Draw up a fire escape plan and you will be on your way to meeting the fire requirements.
Before you request an initial site inspection (to determine if your space is appropriate) you will need to complete the application form.
Follow the link below to locate the licensing regulations in your geographical area. You will need to contact the local regional office to request an application package.
The task will seem a bit daunting at the beginning but as you proceed step-by-step it will get easier. My blog, How To Run A Home Daycare is here to make the process easier for you. Contact me if you need help!
Here is a list of links for each province in Canada and the states in the United States of America.
Canada
General links for all provinces:
Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF)
383 Parkdale Avenue
Suite 201
Ottawa, ON K1Y 4R4
Phone: 1-800-858-1412
(613) 729-5289
Fax: (613) 729-3159
Email: info@cccf-fcsge.ca
Web Address: www.cccf-fcsge.ca
The Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of child care services for Canadian children and families. CCCF includes 16 regional affiliate organizations, independent members, and other partner organizations. The CCCF website provides a wide range of information on child care.
Canadian Childcare Directory
Phone: 1-877-319-8941 toll-free
Email: info@childcaredirectory.com
Web Address: www.childcaredirectory.com
The Canadian Childcare Directory provides an online, searchable directory of child care providers. The website also provides information and resources on child care.
Provincial Child Care Licensing:
Alberta
www.child.alberta.ca/home/1159.cfm
Newfoundland
www.gov.nl.ca/cyfs/childcare/familychildcare.html
PEI
www.gov.pe.ca/eecd/index.php3?number=1027705&lang=E
British Columbia
www.gov.bc.ca/mcf
Nova Scotia
www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/paal/comserv/paal054.asp
Quebec
www.gouv.qc.ca/portail/quebec/international/general/quebec/mode_de_vie/garderies/?lang=en
Manitoba
www.direct.gov.mb.ca/cdchtml/html/internet/en/index.html
www.manitobaparentzone.ca/toddler-and-preschooler/child-care/
Saskatchewan
www.education.gov.sk.ca/child-care-regs/part2/9-application-home/
New Brunswick
www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.2736.Child_Day_Care_Services_Program.html#serviceDescription
Ontario
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/
Yukon
www.hss.gov.yk.ca/dayhome_steps.php
Nunavut
www.gov.nu.ca/files/Steps%20to%20help%20you%20Start%20your%20Business_eng.pdf
United States
General link for all States:
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
State Child Care Licensing:
Alabama Child Care Licensing
Alabama Department of Human Resources
Child Care Services Division
Gordon Persons Building, Suite 2130
50 North Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36130-1801
Phone: 334-242-1425
Toll Free: 866-528-1694
Web Site
Alaska Child Care Licensing
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
Child Care Program Office
619 E. Ship Creek Ave., Suite 230
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: 907-269-4500
Toll Free: 888-268-4632 (within state)
Web Site
Arizona Child Care Licensing
Arizona Department of Health Services
Division of Licensing Services
Office of Child Care Licensing
150 North 18th Avenue, Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-364-2539
Toll Free: 800-615-8555
Web Site
Arkansas Child Care Licensing
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education
Licensing and Accreditation
P.O. Box 1437, Slot S-150
Little Rock, AR 72203-1437
Phone: 501-682-8590
Toll Free: 800-445-3316
Web Site
California Child Care Licensing
California Department of Social Services
Community Care Licensing Division
Child Care Program Office
744 P Street, Mail Station #19-48
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-229-4500
Web Site
Colorado Child Care Licensing
Colorado Department of Human Services
Division of Child Care
1575 Sherman Street, First Floor
Denver, CO 80203-1714
Phone: 303-866-5958
Toll Free: 800-799-5876
Web Site
Commonwealth North Mariana Islands Child Care Licensing
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, CNMI
1341 Ascension Drive C/O Caller Box 10007
Capitol Hill
Saipan
Phone: 670-664-2576
Web Site
Connecticut Child Care Licensing
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Child Day Care Licensing Program
410 Capitol Avenue Mail Station 12 DAC
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Phone: 860-509-8045
Toll Free: 800-282-6063
Web Site
Delaware Child Care Licensing
Delaware Department of Services For Children, Youth And Their Families
Office of Child Care Licensing
1825 Faulkland Road
Wilmington, DE 19805-1121
Phone: 302-892-5800
Toll Free: 800-822-2236
Web Site
District of Columbia Child Care Licensing
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Child Care Licensing Unit
825 North Capitol Street, NE, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-442-5929
Web Site
Florida Child Care Licensing
Florida Department of Children & Families Child Care Services
Child Care Program Office
1317 Winewood Boulevard
Building 6, Floor 3
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
Phone: 850-488-4900
Web Site:
Georgia Child Care Licensing
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
Bright From The Start
10 Park Place South SE, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-657-5562
Toll Free: 888-442-7735
Web Site
Guam Child Care Licensing
Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services
Bureau of Social Services Administration
194 Hernan Cortez Avenue
Terlaje Professional Building,
3rd floor, Suite 309
Hagatna, GU 96910
Phone: 671-475-2672
Web Site
Hawaii Child Care Licensing
Hawaii Department of Human Services
Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606
Honolulu, HI 96813-2936
Phone: 808-586-7050
Web Site
Note: will refer family child care calls to local licensing agencies
Idaho Child Care Licensing
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Bureau Of Family and Community Services
211 Idaho Careline
450 Westgate Drive
Boise, ID 83720-0036
Phone: 2-1-1 (Idaho Careline)
Toll Free: 800-926-2588
Web Site
Note: will refer family child care calls to regional licensing agencies (TDD) 208-332-7205
Illinois Child Care Licensing
Illinois Department of Children & Family Services
Central Office of Licensing
406 East Monroe Street, Station 60
Springfield, IL 62701-1498
Phone: 217-785-2688
Toll Free: 877-746-0829
Web Site
Note: Will refer caller to appropriate county contact
Indiana Child Care Licensing
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
Division of Family Resources
Bureau of Child Care
402 West Washington Street, Room W-361
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-232-1144
Toll Free: 877-511-1144
Web Site
Iowa Child Care Licensing
Iowa Department of Human Services
Division of Adult and Children Family Services
Bureau of Child Care and Community Services
Hoover Bldg., 5th Floor
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0114
Phone: 515-281-0429
Web Site
Note: will refer to local licensing contacts
Kansas Child Care Licensing
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Bureau of Child Care and Health Facilities
Child Care Licensing and Registration Program
Curtis State Office Building
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
Phone: 785-296-1270
Web Site
Kentucky Child Care Licensing
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Office of the Inspector General
Division of Regulated Child Care
275 East Main Street 6E-B
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: 502-564-7962
Web Site
Louisiana Child Care Licensing
Louisiana Department of Social Services
Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education
Child Care Licensing & Regulatory Section
P.O. Box 3078
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3078
Phone: 225-342-9905
Web Site
Maine Child Care Licensing
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Licensing and Regulatory Services
Child Care Licensing Unit
State House Station #11
41 Anthony Avenue
Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: 207-287-9300
Toll Free: 800-791-4080
Web Site
Maryland Child Care Licensing
Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Early Childhood Development
Office of Child Care Licensing Branch
200 West Baltimore Street 10th floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-767-7805
Toll Free: 800-332-6347
Web Site
Massachusetts Child Care Licensing
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617-988-6600
Web Site
Note: Main #, will refer to regional offices
Michigan Child Care Licensing
Michigan Department of Human Services
Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing
Child Care Licensing Division
7109 West Saginaw, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 30650
Lansing, MI 48909-8150
Phone: 517-335-6124
Toll Free: 866-685-0006
Web Site
Minnesota Child Care Licensing
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Division of Licensing
P.O. Box 64242
St. Paul, MN 55164
Phone: 651-296-3971
Web Site
Mississippi Child Care Licensing
Mississippi State Department of Health
Child Care Facilities Licensure
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Phone: 601-364-2827
Toll Free: 866-489-8734 (complaint line)
Web Site
Note: Physical address: 143 B Lefleurs Square Jackson, MS 39211
Missouri Child Care Licensing
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Section for Child Care Regulation
3418 Knipp Drive, Suite F
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573-751-2450
Web Site
Note: Physical address: 3418 Knipp Drive, Suite F Jefferson City, MO 65109
Montana Child Care Licensing
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Quality Assurance Division
Child Care Licensing Program
P.O. Box 202953
Helena, MT 59620-2953
Phone: 406-444-2012
Web Site
Nebraska Child Care Licensing
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Public Health
Licensure Unit-Children’s Services Licensing
P.O. Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
Phone: 402-471-1802
Toll Free: 800-600-1289
Web Site
Note: Physical Address: Nebraska State Office Bldg., 301 Centennial Mall South, 14th & M St., 3rd Floor, Lincoln, NE
Nevada Child Care Licensing
Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Child and Family Services
Bureau of Services for Child Care
4126 Technology Way, 3rd Floor
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: 775-684-4463
Web Site
New Hampshire Child Care Licensing
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Program Support
Bureau of Child Care Licensing
129 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301-3852
Phone: 603-271-4624
Toll Free: 800-852-3345 ext. 4624
Web Site
Note: To contact us via email see “contact us” on website
New Jersey Child Care Licensing
New Jersey Department of Children & Families
Office of Licensing
P.O. Box 717
225 East State St., 4th Floor West
Trenton, NJ 08625-0717
Phone: 609-826-3980
Toll Free: 877-667-9845
Web Site
New Mexico Child Care Licensing
New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department
Early Childhood Services
PO Drawer 5160
Santa Fe, NM 87502
Phone: 505-771-5901
Toll Free: 800-832-1321
Web Site
Note: Physical Address: 1120 Paseo de Peralta Santa Fe, NM 87505
New York Child Care Licensing
New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Division of Child Care Services
South Building Room 309
52 Washington Street
Rensselaer, NY 12144-2796
Phone: 518-474-9454
Toll Free: 800-732-5207
Web Site
Note: Will refer to regional office
New York City Child Care Licensing
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Bureau of Child Care
2 Lafayette Street, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-280-9251
Toll Free: 311
Web Site
Note: For callers from the 5 boroughs of New York City: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island
North Carolina Child Care Licensing
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Child Development
Regulatory Services Section
2201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2201
Phone: 919-662-4499
Toll Free: 800-859-0829 (within state)
Web Site
Note: Physical Address: 319 Chapanoke Rd, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27603
North Dakota Child Care Licensing
North Dakota Department of Human Services
Children and Family Services
600 East Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325
State Capitol Building
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Phone: 701-328-3541
Toll Free: 800-472-2622
Web Site
Note: Will refer to County licensing office
Ohio Child Care Licensing
Ohio Department of Job & Family Services
Bureau of Child Care and Development
50 W Town Street
Columbus, OH 43215-5222
Phone: 614-752-0435
Toll Free: 866-886-3537 option 4
Web Site
Oklahoma Child Care Licensing
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Child Care Services Licensing Unit
P.O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352
Phone: 405-521-3561
Toll Free: 800-347-2276
Web Site
Note: Physical address: Sequoyah Memorial Office Bldg., 2400 N. Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Oregon Child Care Licensing
Oregon Employment Department
Child Care Division
875 Union Street NE
Salem, OR 97311
Phone: 503-947-1400
Toll Free: 800-556-6616
Web Site
Pennsylvania Child Care Licensing
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Office of Child Development and Early Learning
Bureau of Certification Services
333 Market Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717-346-9320
Web Site
Note: will refer to local county office
Puerto Rico Child Care Licensing
Puerto Rico Administracion para el Cuidado y Desarrolo Integral de la Niñez
Departamento de la Familia
Pda 2 Ave De la Constitucion
P.O. Box 15091
San Juan, PR 00902
Phone: 787-724-7474
Web Site
Note: Alternate Phone: 787-724-7534 could not contact to verify
Rhode Island Child Care Licensing
Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Child Care Licensing Unit
101 Friendship Street, 4th Floor
Providence, RI 02903-3716
Phone: 401-528-3624
Web Site
South Carolina Child Care Licensing
South Carolina Department of Social Services
Child Care Licensing Program
Division of Child Care Services
2638 Two Notch Road, Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29204
Phone: 803-898-9020
Toll Free: 800-556-7445
Web Site
South Dakota Child Care Licensing
South Dakota Department of Social Services
Division of Child Care Services
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-773-4766
Toll Free: 800-227-3020 (within state)
Web Site
Tennessee Child Care Licensing
Tennessee Department of Human Services
Child and Adult Care Licensing
400 Deaderick Street, 14th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: 615-313-4778
Toll Free: 800-462-8261 (complaint line)
Web Site
Texas Child Care Licensing
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Child Care Licensing
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, TX 78714-9030
Phone: 512-834-3195
Toll Free: 800-862-5252
Web Site
Note: Physical address: 701 W. 51st Street Austin, TX 78751
Utah Child Care Licensing
Utah Department of Health
Child Care Licensing Program
P.O. Box 142003
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2003
Phone: 801-273-2904
Fax: 801-274-0645
Web Site
Vermont Child Care Licensing
Vermont Agency of Human Services
Department for Children and Families
Child Development Division, 3 NORTH
Child Care Licensing Unit
103 South Main Street, A Building
Waterbury, VT 05671-5500
Phone: 802-241-3110
Toll Free: 800-649-2642 (within state)
Web Site
Virgin Islands Child Care Licensing
Virgin Islands Department of Human Services
Division of Children, Youth And Families
Knud Hansen Complex, Building A
1303 Hospital Ground
Charlotte Amalie, VI 00802
Phone: 340-774-0930
Web Site
Virginia Child Care Licensing
Virginia Department of Social Services
Division of Licensing Programs
801 E. Main Street 9th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219-2901
Phone: 804-726-7165
Toll Free: 800-543-7545
Web Site
Washington Child Care Licensing
Washington State Department of Early Learning
P.O. Box 40970
Olympia, WA 98504-0970
Phone: 360-725-4665
Toll Free: 866-482-4325
Web Site
Note: Physical address: 649 Woodland Sq. Loop SE, Lacey, WA 98503
West Virginia Child Care Licensing
West Virginia Department of Health And Human Resources
Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau for Children and Families
350 Capitol Street, Room B-18
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304-558-1885
Web Site
Wisconsin Child Care Licensing
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
201 E. Washington Ave. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 8916
Madison, WI 53708-8916
Phone: 608-266-9314
Web Site
Wyoming Child Care Licensing
Wyoming Department of Family Services
Division of Early Childhood
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building, 3rd Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 307-777-6595
Web Site
I’m a former elementary school teacher, and homeschool mother of two, who runs a Waldorf inspired home childcare/preschool. 
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I don’t have a website yet. My husband and I are moving to a new state in a couple of months. I’ve been interested in running an in-home day care for a long time! I wanted to thank you for all the great information you provide on this site! Keep up the amazing work!
Thank you Paula! I wish you all the best with your home daycare. 🙂
I’m looking into the possibility of opening a home-based afterschool care program. Have you heard of anyone doing this? Do you have any advice to offer?
Thank you for all the vital information on how to become a home base daycare provider… this site is so helpful…
Hi i had a few ?s in regards to what kind of certificates i need to open up a daycare? And so many more ?s is it still a home daycare if you build a separate building?
You have found the right blog post to answer your questions. Follow the link that corresponds to your state to read about what kind of certification is needed for your state regulations. In most areas it is not considered a home daycare if you operate out of a separate building. You need to reside at that same location as the home daycare HOWEVER this is not the case everywhere. You will need to spend a bit of time reading through your state regulations. Good luck and I wish you the best of luck.
Pretty good post. thanks so much for sharing.
I wanted to know if you can live on the second floor and run a registered home daycare out of your home if you do?
Yes, a home daycare means that you live on the premises. You can dedicate a whole floor to your daycare or just use certain rooms of your regular living space, the choice is up to you.