Child Care Provider Regulations

A child care provider must be licensed as a registered family child care home if they: 

• Provide child care to more than three children, up to a total of ten (10) children at any one time (unless they are all from the same family)
• Provide child care on other than an occasional basis; or
• Receive payment from an agency that requires you to be registered. 

A child care provider must be certified if they: 

• Provide child care for up to 12 children, may be certified for up to 16 with prior approval from the Division
• Are located in a building constructed as a single-family dwelling. 

Some child care providers do not need registration or certification. Child care does not need this regulation if: 

• The provider cares for three or fewer children in addition to the provider’s own children
• The provider cares for any number of children from the same family
• The care is provided in the home of the child
• The care is provided by the child’s parent or guardian or a relative
• The care is provided on an occasional basis by someone who does not usually provide child care
• The facility provides a preschool program that operates for less than four hours per day and provides education to children from age 3 through school age
• The facility provides training on a specific subject such as dancing, drama, music etc.
• The facility is an organized club or hobby group providing short athletic or social activities, such as soccer, scouts etc.
• The facility is operated by a governmental agency