Start Child Care
Start a Licensed School Age Child Care Program
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 before and after school and sometimes on school holidays and through the summer months.
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
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Required Documents for Licensing
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This link will take you to a list of forms that include the following documents you will need to complete your application for a Family Child Care License
☐ SFN 832 - Application to be Licensed
☐ SFN 845 - Child Information Sheet
☐ SFN 847 - Parent's Statement of Health
☐ SFN 969 - Orientation Certification
☐ SFN 16038 - Immunization Records, except for school age children/drop in or valid exception -
> Official Document verifying identification of the child
e.g. birth certificate or passport
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> Health care plan for individuals diagnosed with a special need
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This link will take you to a list of forms that include the following documents that you will need to complete your required Criminal Background Check
☐ SFN 829 - Personal Authorization for Criminal History Record Information Inquiry
☐ SFN 60688 - Criminal History Record Check Request Form
☐ SFN 836 - Fingerprint Identity Verification
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Additional Business Management Resources
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Additional resources to help you manage budgets, staffing, marketing and run your business after you complete the licensing process.
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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.
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Resources to help you create healthy environments and offer programming that supports children's growth and development.
