Senior Staff: At least 20 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent or successful completion of courses for credit from accredited college or university; and 6 semester hours or 90 clock hours of approved training or CDA and either 1 year supervised work experience in group program for preschoolers or as a registered family child care provider, or 1 year of college or equivalent combination of college and experience; or at least 19 years old and hold AA degree in early childhood education or recreation. Persons approved or certified by State Department of Education as teacher for grades nursery through third grade are also considered qualified as senior staff. 

To become a child care provider you first need to decide if you want to open a business in your home or if you want to create a center-based business. Below is a definition of each type of business: 

• Family Dayare – You may provide care for up to 8 children in your home
• Large Family Dayare – You may care for up to 12 children in your home
• Dayare Center – You may provide care in a facility outside of your home that is zoned to be used as a child care center.  The number of children you serve is dependent upon the square footage of the building.

Anyone who is interested in starting a child care business in a home or center is required to take the face-to-face orientation training. Please contact the Office of Child Care Regional Licensing Office to schedule the Orientation Training.

To prepare for your orientation session, you may wish to view the on-line orientation preview. This does not replace the face-to-face orientation session you are required to attend at your Regional Office of Child Care.