Start Child Care

Start a Licensed Preschool Program

Preschools provide education and socialization experiences for children age 2 years to kindergarten and may operate sessions for no more than three hours per day.


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


  • 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.