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


  • Additional Business Management Resources
  • Additional resources to help you manage budgets, staffing, marketing and run your business after you complete the licensing process.

  • 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.

  • Resources to help you create healthy environments and offer programming that supports children's growth and development.

  • A list of equipment and materials to consider for activity and interest areas in a child care facility.

  • An Excel worksheet to help you plan purchases of equipment and furnishings for a child care facility.