Home daycare licensing guides

How to Get a Home Daycare License, Step by Step

A calm, plain-English walkthrough of getting a home daycare license: orientation, application, background checks, training, and your home inspection.

Home Daycare Ratios Explained (and Why They Vary by State)

A plain-English guide to home daycare ratios and capacity limits: what they mean, why your own kids often count, and why the numbers change by state.

How Much Does a Home Daycare License Cost?

An honest, plain-English breakdown of what a home daycare license really costs: application fees, background checks, CPR, training, and safety gear, and why it varies by state.

Family vs. Group Child Care Home: Which License Should You Apply For?

Family child care home or group/large home license? Learn how capacity limits and assistant rules differ by state, and how to pick the right one for you.

Safe Sleep Requirements for Home Daycares

A plain-English guide to safe sleep rules for home daycares: infants on their backs, firm surfaces, no soft bedding, room-sharing, and required training by state.

What a Home Daycare Inspector Actually Checks

A calm, plain-English walkthrough of the home daycare safety inspection: detectors, locked meds, outlet covers, safe sleep, exits, and first aid you can prep in advance.

CPR and First Aid Requirements for a Home Daycare

Pediatric CPR and first aid are near-universal home daycare licensing requirements. Learn why it must be pediatric, how often you renew, and how to check your state.

Home Daycare Background Checks: Who, What, and How Long

Opening a home daycare? Learn who gets background-checked, what fingerprint and registry checks are required, and why to start this slow step first.

How to Write a Parent Handbook for Your Home Daycare

A calm, practical guide to writing a parent handbook for your home daycare: hours, fees, sick and safe-sleep policies, discipline, emergencies, and termination.

Required Postings and Records for a Home Daycare

A calm, plain-English guide to what a home daycare must post on the wall and keep on file — license, emergency info, evacuation plan, child records, and attendance.

Can You Run a Home Daycare in a Rented Home or Apartment?

Yes, you can often run a licensed home daycare in a rented house or apartment—but you usually need landlord permission, plus zoning, HOA, and safety checks.

Do Your Own Children Count Toward Your Daycare Ratio?

In most states, your own young children count toward your family daycare capacity. Here's why, the age cutoff that varies by state, and how to find your real open slots.

Home Daycare Annual Training Requirements, Explained

A calm, plain-English guide to home daycare annual training requirements: why states require continuing-education hours, common topics, and why CPR may not count.

How to Prepare Your Home to Pass the Safety Inspection

A calm, room-by-room checklist to prepare your home for a family child care safety inspection: detectors, safe sleep, locked storage, water, exits, and more.