Start Child Care
We’re here to help you navigate opening, running, or expanding a child-care business. Our experts offer support on childcare topics that can be customized to wherever you are in the planning process.
License Types
The location of your business and the number of children you want to care for determines the type of childcare license you will need. Learn about each licensing type below:
Family Child Care
- Family providers may care for up to seven children with no more than three children who are under the age of 24 months, plus two additional school-age children. The provider’s own children under the age of 12 must be included in the total.
- Family Child Care programs are monitored by the HHS Early Childhood licensing unit and must meet regulations per North Dakota Century Code 50-11.1 and North Dakota Family Child Care Administrative Rule 75-03-08
Group Child Care
Group child care programs may be licensed in a home (group home license) or a facility(group facility license). Groups may be licensed for up to 30 children, with the actual license capacity determined by available space, staff-to-child ratios, and sometimes local ordinances. The provider’s own children under the age of 12 must be included in the total.
Group Child Care programs are monitored by the HHS Early Childhood licensing unit and must meet regulations per North Dakota Century Code 50-11.1 and North Dakota Group Child Care Administrative Rule 75-03-09
Center Child Care
- Child care centers are licensed for at least 19 children in a facility with the actual license capacity determined by available space, staff-to-child ratios, and sometimes local ordinances.
- Child Care Centers are monitored by the HHS Early Childhood licensing unit and must meet regulations per North Dakota Century Code 50-11.1 and North Dakota Child Care Centers Administrative Rule 75-03-10
Preschool Programs
- DHHS preschools provide education and socialization experiences for children ages two through five years old and may operate sessions for no more than three hours per day.
- Preschool Programs are monitored by the HHS Early Childhood licensing unit and must meet regulations per North Dakota Century Code 50-11.1 and North Dakota Family Child Care Administrative Rule 75-03-11
School-Age Child Care
- School-age programs are licensed for at least 19 children in a facility, with the actual license capacity determined by available space, staff to child ratio, and sometimes local ordinances. School-age programs offer services for children ages 5 years through 11 years. School-Aged programs may offer care before and after school and sometimes on school holidays and through the summer months.
- School-Aged Child Care programs are monitored by the HHS Early Childhood licensing unit and must meet regulations per North Dakota Century Code 50-11.1 and North Dakota School-Aged Child Care Administrative Rule 75-03-11.1
- ND Afterschool Network
Getting Started
Finding a Location
- We recommend contacting a realtor.
- Things to keep in mind when looking for a property
- Budget
- Square footage requirements
- City zoning regulations
- Our start up coordinators are available to look at properties with you
*Before finalizing any purchases or lease agreements it is recommended to contact your licensing specialist to walk through the space to make sure it is a good fit for child care.
Contact Early Childhood Licensing Specialist
Complete the Licensing Process
Contracts & Policies
- Licensing requires written policies for all licensed Child Care programs. Required policies can be found in the North Dakota Early Childhood Services Rules book.
- Below you will find templates to guide you through writing your contracts and policies.
Setting Up Your Environment and Materials
- Contact Child Care Aware® to have some one come out and help set up your space
Budgeting
- Child Care Aware® at startchildcare@ndchildcare.org
- Small Business Center
- The Women’s Business Center
Ratios and Group Sizes
The number of children a provider can care for is determined by their license type, the size of their facility, and the ages of the children.
Contact your Licensing Specialist if you want more information about specific rules, special licensing, provisions, or restrictions.
Staff Management
- Sample Job Descriptions
- Staff Orientation Checklist
- Staff Handbook Template
Business Essentials
Business Structure
- Sole Proprietorship
- Partnerships
- Limited Liability Companies (LLC)
- Corporations
Insurance
- Insurance protects you when emergencies or disasters occur. There are a variety of insurance types that you will want to explore, even if they are not required for your child care license. North Dakota rule requires liability insurance in facility based programs. You must carry liability insurance to insure against bodily injury and property damage for the child care center.
- When transportation is provided by a child care program, children must be protected by adequate staff member supervision, safety precautions, and liability insurance.
- Child Care Aware® recommends that you consult an Insurance Agent to discuss the insurance policy that will best fit your program.
- Insurance Considerations:
Establishing Your Business
Guide for Communities
Access to Child Care is an important component of a community’s infrastructure and Child Care Aware® of North Dakota and Vision West ND, with funding support from the Bush Foundation, created a Child Care in Your Community Guide to assist individuals and organizations as they consider child care options in their communities. Topics include strategies to build capacity, child care models, financing options and more.
Not finding what you are looking for?
Check out our resource page or contact us at startchildcare@ndchildcare.org or call 1-800-997-8515 (Option 3)
