close

A short-term federal shutdown currently has no immediate impact on DCYF programs. Learn more

Title

Licensing

Intro

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families licenses child care centers, and works with counties to license family child care providers and foster families. Licensing helps keep children safe and healthy by making sure providers meet basic standards for care and a safe environment.

Banner
Toddlers playing blocks with a child care provider.
Sections

Child Care Centers

Licensed child care centers offer care and early learning in a nonresidential setting, such as a school or dedicated facility. These centers serve groups of children and are staffed by trained professionals who follow the state's health, safety and education standards.

Family Child Care

This type of care is usually provided in the caregiver's home for 10 or fewer children at a time. Counties perform most licensing functions for family child care programs.

Certified Centers

License-exempt child care centers that want to participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) are required to complete a certification process with DCYF before participating in the program.

Foster Care

When children cannot safely stay at home, they may be placed temporarily with a licensed foster care provider.