How to Become a Licensed or Registered Child Care Provider in Indiana

In Indiana, there are three types of child care providers – Child Care Center, Child Care Home and Child Care Ministry. Child Care Center sand Child Care Homes should be licensed whereas Child Care Ministries has to be registered prior to operation.

The abovementioned providers need to follow the necessary procedure before they become licensed or registered.

Licensed Child Care Center is defined as a non-residential building where at least one child receives child care from a provider for more than four hours but less than 24 hours in each of ten consecutive days per year while unattended by a parent, legal guardian or a custodian for regular compensation. To become a licensed child care center, the provider should attend two orientation training session. Thereafter, a check for local zoning and building code will be done to ensure that the structure is meeting the standards. Then, the provider needs to send the complete application packet including a written plan on food service and health program to the Division of Family Resources. Before a license will be issued, the provider has to pass all the inspections and reviews done by the Division of Family Resources, Department of Homeland Security and Fire and Building Safety Division.

Licensed Child Care Home is defined as a residential structure in which at least six children at anytime receive child care from a provider for more than four hours but less than 24 hours in each of ten consecutive days while unattended by a parent, legal guardian or a custodian for a regular compensation. Similar to Child Care Centers, for a Child Care Home to be licensed, the provider should attend two orientation training session. The home must also be prepared for inspection on health and safety. Once the onsite inspection was passed, a license will be issued and the licensed child care home can accept children.

On the other hand, Child Care Ministries does not need a license before operating. It is defined as a child care operated by a church or religious ministry that is a religious organization exempt from federal income taxation.

For further information on acquiring a license for new child care providers on Indiana, you may visit the Family and Social Services Administration website.

Source: Indiana Family and Social Services Administration