Starting Licensed Home Daycare

Here is a toll free number to 4c's they will help you get started and could tell you what to do depending on what county you live in. 1-800-848-8727. Just listen to the selections and then go from there.
B. Davis

I had an in home licensed day care. It was not as hard to get like I thought it would be. I put my license on hold because I was on bed rest for a while. I did not want to keep up the monthly paperwork when I did not have any kids in my care.

I live in Lake County. I needed to take a course at the local YWCA called How to get started. (I think that is close to what it is called.) You will get tons of information at this meeting. I think it is either free or around $6.00, I don't remember.

I would recommend giving them a call and setting up a class with them to get started. You can always call your local DCFS office and they can point you in the right direction.

This is a link to the Illinois licensing standards you will get from DCFS. You will need to follow everything on there in order to be certified. It is not as bad as it looks.

If you are going to use your basement, you need to make sure it follows the guidelines. There has to be a certain amount of exits and windows can only be so high. Not many potential providers take this in consideration.

You will need a current infant/child CPR and First aid courses. You will also need a TB test. I would not get the TB test until it is requested. I think it has to be turned in within a month of taking it. If too much time has passed, they may have you retake it. The insurance I have through my husbands work covered this. Oh- everyone in the house over the age of 12 needs to get a TB test done. (I don't remember the exact age). Everyone living in the household over a certain age will need to get fingerprinted and have a background check run on them.

All pets need to be up to date on rabies. Snakes, mice, rats and other small pets are not allowed. This should be stated somewhere in the licensing procedures.

I believe you will need to take 15 hours of child care courses - or classes each calender year to keep your license. DCFS and your local YWCA will have all the info you need on this. Also, once you are licensed, you will receive info from seminars that will be near you that can be put towards your yearly hours. You will get certificates to show this to your DCFS rep.

Start by giving them a call. Look over the paperwork. Everything will fall into place.

Let me know if you have any questions I can help with.

Good luck,

M.

Illinois home daycare licensing standards direct link:
http://www.state.il.us/DCFS/docs/406.pdf

Illinois DCFS website:

http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/index.shtml

http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/policy/pr_policy_rules.shtml

YWCA - click on Find YWs and you can find your nearest location to contact for info:

http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=djISI6PIKpG&b=284783

You do not have to be licensed, but you may have more children in your care if you are licensed. If you aren't licensed, you can only have three children in your care at one time (including your own children). I do recommend you have a current child CPR/First Aid certification. Most parents at least want you to have that.

This website below is the agency I used in the southwest suburb area. I live in Aurora and it was who I had to go through when I looked into licensing. It's a lot of work, and takes anywhere from a couple of months to six months depending on how long it takes you to do the steps and paperwork. For instance, everyone in the household has to have a physical/TB test that is current, background check, etc. Your home has to be inspected. It's a very step-by-step process.

You first call them and they'll send you one packet outlining what will have to happen for you to get you licensed. Then you sign that, send that back, and they'll send you the whole packet with all the forms to complete. Often you have to call back as their hours aren't the most convenient at times and things didn't get taken care of the first time, so I had to do lots of follow up. I left messages sometimes and never got called back so I had to do a lot of phone calling back to get things rolling.

http://www.childcarehelp.com/

Send me a private message with your email if you'd like a copy of a daycare contract and forms to use. Prices will vary, but I can give you an average. I called several around the area when I started to get a ballpark idea. I did daycare for awhile but I was not licensed, other than being a licensed teacher now SAHM. I was CPR/First Aid certified only. I just had two other children since I have one at home.

Start by calling DCFS and they will get you all the info that you need. It's really not hard. You will need to have 15 hours a year of training but not to start. I have been doing it for 17 years and still love it. Can't imagine doing anything else.

Your first step is to contact dcfs to get the licensing packet started. there are a few hoops to jump through that seem like a pain but are really for the safty of everyone involved. its a rewarding job and a wonderful way to work and stay at home with your own kids also.
S.

I ran a licensed home daycare in one of my former lives. You need to contact your local DCFS licensing agent. They send out a packet of information and a list of things you need to do in order to be ready for your inspection by DCFS. You will need to do quite a few things. It took about 3 months for me to get my license, but you can start watching 1-3 kids (including your own in that number) without a license.

I hope this helps get you started. Send me a message if you need anything else.

A.

A friend of mine went through this a few years ago. DCFS is the right channel to go through. You have to have separate sleeping areas, play and changing areas especially for infants as well as an eating area. You can have it setup in your basement if you have escape routes and you must have fire extinguishers. She had it setup for play in her basement, and she had an extra bedroom on the first floor she setup with a crib (only one infant) and a bed for sleeping. She has a guest room on the second floor she uses for changing and quiet time. And they eat in the dining room. It sounds a lot worse than it is but they are strict to guidelines. She took about a year and a half to get it done and they visit 2 times a year if no complaints. You also have to show proof of additional liability insurance.

First of all, thank you so much for being willing to take the time to get licensed. Though it is important for a number of reasons, many do not take this step. You may have already received the information you need from others, but just in case, I'll add my two cents. I've been operating a successful family childcare business for over 13 years now. Recently I taught a short class at Harper about this, so I'll just include one of the handouts. As for taking classes, we are required to have 15 hours of continuing education per year. There are many ways of acquiring the hours, though classes offered by area CCR and Rs, local associations or on line. If you live in a different area, I would still give Linda Waycie (see handout) a call. She could probably give you the number for resources in your area. If I can be of any help, just get in touch.

K.
Family Child Care Licensing Procedure information
ECE 140 Family Child Care Management
September, 08

Though not officially a first step in becoming licensed, I would highly recommend contacting Linda Waycie at CHA as you begin this process. She has been an invaluable support for many through this process. Contact info:
Linda Waycie
Outreach Coordinator
Children's Home + Aid
2045 S. Arlington Heights Rd. #113
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Phone: ###-###-####
Fax: ###-###-####
____@____.com

If you would be interested in having an experienced family childcare provider as a mentor, Linda is the person to talk to about this as well.

.
1. Call DCFS and get assigned to an Orientation. The number is ###-###-####.
2. Attend the orientation, which is at a downtown Chicago location. You will receive a package of paperwork and instructions on how to fill out the paperwork involved.
3. Fill out the paperwork* received at the Orientation. You will need physicals (on forms provided) for all family members. Family members over 18 must be fingerprinted at DCFS approved sites after DSFS has signed the forms that the provider fills out.
4. Prepare home and arrange for visit of DCFS representative. Your rep will require you to prepare the following documentation:
Contract and policies, include in this is summarized discipline policy from licensing standards
Sample one week meal plan
Toy list grouped into general categories
Sample day’s schedule
Emergency exit evacuation plan with floor plan drawing
List of indoor and outdoor activities, active and quiet activities, winter and summer activities
Emergency plan ( this the one about what we do if the parents are late rather an emergency plan in case of fire, storms, etc right?

5. DCFS rep visits home
6. Make any changes required by visiting DCFS rep
7. License is renewed through paperwork and DCFS rep visit once every 3 years. Expect annual unannounced monitoring visits.

While the initial licensing process is supposed to take 90 days, it has been taking 6 to 9 months.

* Very important! Be sure to put your name and phone number and address on each piece of paper that goes to DCFS.
Make copies of everything.

Hi there...Marianne had some good info. I currently run a licensed home daycare and the process is not hard, but can take a little time. Marianne told you all the important points and all that info will be in the DCFS packet. DCFS will visit you about 3-4 times a year (almost always unannounced) and you will also be in a food program, which is a re-imbursement program, so you do get money back for food. It is not a HUGE amount, but does help...that rep will visit you about every trimester or so and is also unannounced. It's not scary as long as you are following the rules.

I recommend taking a "starting your own daycare" class (in rockford, it is offered through the YWCA and they are a wonderful resource) Also, licensing your basement can be costly but there are state grants offered in January (at least in my area...not sure where you are from) and while they can be very tough...many people never get them...I have gotten all four I have written for and this has helped me license my basement, put in a tremendous playground area, and buy new equipment. I had to put in an egress window w/ steps and a sprinkler system (luckily, my basement was already finished and hubby is handy and did all the work!)

I will say that doing daycare is exhausting, time consuming and the hardest job I have ever done, but I would not change a thing!!! I love my little guys who make me laugh (and sometimes want to cry...LOL) and the respect I get from their parents for doing a good job and taking good care of their precious babies! Best of luck to you and let me know if you need any help or have any questions! You won't regret doing this.

you need to contact the DCFS in your area and they can send you all the paperwork that you need.

Good Luck
J.

It is a pretty long process.
DCFS has the right to come to your home any time thatthey want with out any notice.They will make sure that every child has seprate sleeping quarters,seperate areas for play & changing, and how meals are prepared. It will take up to 2 years for you get a license. And yes there are classes that you will be required to take.

Hello! Welcome to the club! I started my home daycare last January so I am pretty recent with the info. Contact DCFS first and they will send you to an orientation class. Usually there is a wait for the class so be patient. Before the class date you will get a packet with useful info, rules and guidelines. Nothing has to be completed beforehand. Take it all to the class with you and they will walk you through every little step. To have a home daycare is simpler and requires less classes. You need 15 hours a year (i believe, I would need to double check) of classes of your choosing to keep your licence active. This can be Potty Training classes, Childcare, Discipline, etc. These are usually offered at YMCA's. A licenced commercial daycare requires much more hours per year and additional classes through DCFS. While I do love what I am doing and wouldn't change a thing, time do get a bit tough. I chose not to get my license since I am renting my apartment and wanted a bigger space. (I am rethinking this now...)However parents back out on you and sometimes many parents wont consider you since you are new to the business even though you may have years of experience. Let me know how things go. I am always looking for a support team of fellow home daycarers. Its good to have friends who know what your going through and may be able to refer people to and from. If anyone else here is interested in sharing tips, help, or ideas please contact me.
Thanks and good luck!! Please let me know how everything goes!!

I'm not sure where some of these people got their information. You need to have seperate places to sleep them but that means each child has their own bedding and cot or pack and play, not a seperate room for each kid. And you can do all the daycare in one room if you want, bringing out pack and plays/cots for nap time, you don't need seperate rooms for every little thing.

They also only come once a year to visit you, it's not a big deal.

You have to get the licensing packet and read through it. There will be paperwork to fill out, plus a physical, a background check, the Starting Point class and some other little things. NOTHING is that big of a deal and it takes about 5 months usually from the time you get your stuff done until they come out and inspect you.

If you are in the Plainfield area you are welcome to come tour my daycare, I run a quality program and don't mind sharing my tips, menu, contract, etc. I will also point you to bulletin boards of other home daycare providers that can help you. Just ask!

There is a grant in Will county area (and other counties, the ones around Joliet) that will give you funds to get started. Contact your Child Care Resource and Referral and find out how you can get in a grant writing class for the Quality Counts grant. This can give you a thousand dollars to get you started!

N.