Child Care Licensing in Illinois - post

Opening a child care program is exciting. But in Illinois, you usually need a child care license before you can care for children in your home or in a center. A license is not just “paperwork.” It helps keep children safe, and it helps families trust your program.

Why is a child care license required in Illinois?

A license is required because young children need a safe place to learn and grow. The state wants to make sure programs follow rules for:

• Safe buildings and play spaces

• Supervision (adults watching children)

• Health and sanitation

• Background checks for adults

• Emergency plans

When a program is licensed, it means Illinois has checked the program and it meets basic safety rules.

Also, if a program needs a license and runs without one, Illinois can investigate. It may lead to legal trouble and fines.
#IllinoisChildCare #ChildCareSafety

Do I need a license for a home daycare, a center, or both?

In Illinois, there are different types of child care programs, like:

• Day Care Home (child care in your own family home)

• Group Day Care Home (child care in your own family home, usually with more capacity and extra requirements)

• Day Care Center (child care in a separate site, like a building or suite)

Illinois guidance often says that if you care for more than three unrelated children (and this can include your own children under age 12), you may need a license. Rules can be detailed, so it’s smart to ask DCFS about your exact plan.

Some programs are license-exempt (not required to be licensed). Illinois uses Rule 377 to decide what is exempt and what is not. If you think you might be exempt, DCFS says to contact your local licensing office to check.

Helpful ChildCareEd resource (especially for home programs):
https://www.childcareed.com/r-00719-how-to-start-a-home-daycare.html

How do I start the Illinois licensing process?

Illinois child care licensing is handled by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). A good first step is to visit the DCFS Sunshine site and look at “Become Licensed,” because it explains what DCFS expects.

Here is a simple path that works for many people:

• Step 1: Talk to your local licensing office

  • Share your plan (home or center, ages, hours, location).

  • Ask what forms you need and what inspections are required.

• Step 2: Learn the rules before you spend money

  • DCFS warns it can be risky to sign a lease or spend big money before you know the building can meet the rules.

• Step 3: Complete orientation (if needed or recommended)

  • For home daycare, DCFS offers a free online orientation.

  • For centers, DCFS says orientation is highly recommended and you may work closely with a licensing rep.

#DaycareOwner #EarlyChildhoodEducation

What paperwork and checks does Illinois usually require?

Licensing includes forms and safety checks. The exact list depends on whether you are a home or a center.

For home-based licenses, DCFS lists items like:

• Background checks for people who live/work in the home (DCFS notes age 13+ are subject to checks; adults are fingerprinted for full checks)

• A medical exam (DCFS mentions vaccines/tests like TB, DPT, and MMR)

• Proof of high school diploma or GED

• Proof of required pre-service training hours (DCFS notes at least 15 hours for home-based applicants)

• Illinois Gateways Registry membership

For group homes, there may be extra items, like proof of liability insurance and some college coursework in early childhood.

Also, DCFS and CCR&R groups remind providers that the license itself may be free, but you can still have costs (like medicals, supplies, and inspections/testing).

What inspections and safety rules should I expect?

Illinois licensing looks closely at safety. For example, guidance for family child care homes often includes things like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, safe storage for harmful items, and safe play space.

If you want to prepare your space the smart way, these ChildCareEd trainings can help you build strong safety habits:

• Building and Physical Premises Safety (great for setting up a safe space and passing safety checks):
  https://www.childcareed.com/courses-building-and-physical-premises-safety.html

• Responding to Emergencies (helps you plan for fires, injuries, severe weather, and more):
  https://www.childcareed.com/courses-responding-to-emergencies.html

What happens after I submit my application?

Once your application is complete and DCFS has received background check results, DCFS can schedule an on-site visit.

For a home program, DCFS explains the home visit may include:

• A walk-through to look for safety hazards

• Setting your capacity (how many children you can care for)

• Confirming what areas you can use

• Reviewing record-keeping (child files, attendance, etc.)

For a center, DCFS describes a longer process. A center may receive a 6-month permit first, with monitoring visits during that time before a full license is recommended.

After I get licensed, what are my next steps?

Getting licensed is a big milestone—but it’s also the start of ongoing responsibility. Here are smart next steps:

• Post your license and keep it current

  • Many programs must display the license where families can see it.

• Set up strong daily systems

  • Child sign-in/out

  • Emergency contact info

  • Medication permission forms

  • Safe sleep and supervision plans

• Keep training your team

  • Use safety training to stay ready, not just to “pass licensing.”

  • (The two ChildCareEd courses above are a great starting point.)

• Consider joining Illinois’ quality system

  • ExceleRate Illinois is the state’s quality rating and improvement system. It helps programs build quality step-by-step.

  • Some programs may also qualify for quality add-ons through CCAP, depending on eligibility and funding.

• Plan your enrollment and business basics

  • Parent handbook and policies

  • Tuition plan and contracts

  • Staff schedules and substitutes

  • Marketing (website, flyers, referrals)

Want a Illinois-specific step-by-step guide for opening a program? Read:
https://www.childcareed.com/a/how-to-start-a-daycare-in-illinois.html

Where can I get ongoing support and tips?

Licensing can feel big—but you do not have to do it alone. Follow ChildCareEd for helpful videos and updates:

👉 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@childcareed

And remember: licensing is about safety, trust, and doing things the right way—whether you run care from your home or open a center. #ChildCareBusiness #IllinoisDaycare