Rules & Regulations for Starting a Daycare

Most American households have either dual parent incomes or a working single parent, and childcare is essential for such families. Opening a childcare facility can be rewarding, but before starting your daycare, you need to know what specific childcare licensure regulations and rules your state requires to ensure child safety. Here are basic requirements for starting a daycare that apply in all 50 states.

Things You'll Need

• License/Certification Clientele Staff

Instructions

1. Allow an investigation into your background and of all daycare provider staff. All staff and individual service providers are obligated to undergo criminal and child abuse background checks. This includes fingerprinting.

2. Get licensed or certified. Apply for a license with Health and Social Services, Division of Childcare or the Department of Health, depending on the state.

3. Submit your application, proof of identification and other required documentation along with your background check forms. Your state will grant your daycare license, certification or special permit after your application review and approval.

4. Provide the ages and amount of children that you anticipate will attend your daycare. Additionally, provide the days and hours of your daycare operation, the facility type, and up-to-date information on the staff and location.

5. Have a fire protection professional who is educated in fire safety inspect the premises. Have a health inspector check conditions at the daycare to ensure there are no threats to the health or safety of the children. This may include a water supply inspection for contaminants. Display notification of passing inspections in a visible location. Your facility may be subject to random inspections from the department that grants your daycare license.

6. Have the location and structure verified as properly zoned as a business suited for childcare. Facilities have to operate in compliance with local planning and zoning requirements.

7. Adhere to the number of children permitted in the facility. Your license indicates the maximum amount of children allowable. Make certain to provide proper supervision of all children at all times with a reasonable staff-to-child ratio.

Tips & Warnings

• For specific rules and regulations based on a particular state, please see the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education website (see Resources below).

• In some states, violations may result in fines assessed to a maximum of $10,000, license revocation and possible imprisonment.

Resources

• Individual States' Child Care Licensure Regulations