Start Child Care
Start a Licensed Child Care Center for 19 Children or More
Have a Question?
Contact a Child Care Aware® Start-Up Consultant
800-997-8515; press option 3
✉ StartChildCare@ndchildcare.org
Interested in FREE monthly virtual and in-person support with an expert on child care business topics? Learn More ➜
✓Understand License Requirements
• Contact Your Child Care Licensing Specialist ➜
• Director Qualifications and Staff Requirements
• Facility Requirements
• Policy, Procedure and Contract Requirements
• Business File Requirements
✓Determine Business Type
✓Create a Budget
✓Find the Right Facility
✓Write a Business Plan
✓Purchase Furnishings
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Required Documents for Licensing
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This link will take you to a list of forms that you will need to complete your application for a Child Care Center License
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This link will take you to a list of forms that you will need to complete your required Criminal Background Check
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Additional Business Management Resources
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Additional resources to help you manage budgets, staffing, marketing and run your business after you complete the licensing process.
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Hiring and retaining staff is crucial to a child care business. We've gathered these resources to help you meet licensing requirements, fulfill legal requirements and develop a good working relationship with staff.
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Resources to help you create healthy environments and offer programming that supports children's growth and development.
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A list of equipment and materials to consider for activity and interest areas in a child care facility.
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An Excel worksheet to help you plan purchases of equipment and furnishings for a child care facility.
