Illinois home child care licensing
A friendly, step-by-step guide to becoming a licensed in-home child care provider in Illinois—without getting lost in the paperwork.
Reviewed with official sources · August 15, 2026
Outside Illinois?
Choose your state for a clear starting roadmap and direct links to current licensing, regulations, background-check and inspection resources.
Your licensing roadmap
Start with the official packet and let your assigned representative guide the details. These steps help you see the whole journey.
Start here
Tell your local DCFS licensing representative that you want to open a child care home. Ask about orientation and how to receive the initial application packet before you spend money changing your home.
Open the official Illinois licensing hubChoose your path
Both licenses are for care in the home where you and your family live. A group home can serve a larger group, but it has additional staffing, education, insurance and home requirements. Your representative can help you choose.
Build your file
Plan for your medical exam and immunization records, diploma or degree, child-support certification, three unrelated adult references, Gateways membership, hazard protection plan, radon results and any lead testing required for your home.
Complete your training
Complete the required pre-service training before submitting your application packet. Keep every training certificate and make sure your education and training appear on your Gateways Professional Development Record.
Join the free Gateways RegistrySubmit everything together
Give your DCFS licensing representative the completed application, every required document and proof that your training is finished. Turn the paperwork and training certificates in together so your representative can review the complete packet.
Follow DCFS directions
After the complete packet is submitted, DCFS will guide the background-check process and tell you where to go for fingerprinting. While the checks and fingerprint results are being processed, make your home inspection-ready using Part 2007—the current rule formerly known as Rule 406—as your guide.
Read the official background-check processFinal review
After the application, training and background results are complete, your licensing representative schedules the home visit. The representative checks compliance, identifies approved care areas, sets capacity and reviews required records. Correct any remaining items promptly.
A helpful head start
Check each item you have looked at. This is a planning tool—not a replacement for Part 2007 or your licensing representative’s visit.
Build beyond the license
Talk with qualified professionals about an EIN, taxes, business structure and child care liability coverage. Group homes must provide proof of liability insurance; coverage is a wise planning topic for every provider.
Open the daycare insurance guideCreate a parent contract and handbook covering tuition, hours, absences, illness, discipline, termination, emergencies and communication.
Ask your local CCR&R about training, CCAP and the food program. Some areas also have a Home Child Care Network that may offer provider coaching, curriculum, supplies or licensing assistance. Services and eligibility vary by location.
Find your local CCR&RProvider resource center
Use free planning tools, organize the business side, and preview editable products only when you are ready.
Two complete forms you can personalize and print in your browser.
Open free resources →InteractiveBuild an estimate from local quotes without treating every item as required.
Plan startup costs →Planning guideCheck state requirements, your home policy, child-capacity limits, and provider options.
Compare coverage questions →RoadmapOrganize insurance, CACFP, subsidy, enrollment, records, and opening-day systems.
See the next steps →FreeUse a time-space estimator, expense organizer, and record checklist.
Open business tools →InteractiveEstimate revenue, occupancy, costs, break-even enrollment, and a weekly-rate target.
Test the numbers →Saves on your deviceTrack documents, training, safety, insurance, approvals, and opening systems.
Build my plan →Official contactsOpen the state and USDA food-program starting links for family child care homes.
Find CACFP contacts →Monthly routineOrganize receipts, income, expenses, mileage, meals, attendance, and home-use records.
Organize records →Supplier guideCompare sources and track verified equipment, quotes, purchases, donations, and recall checks.
Plan equipment purchases →After approvalBuild a clear program description and a responsible 30-day marketing and enrollment plan.
Open the marketing guide →Trusted links
Rules and forms can change. Use these sources—and your licensing representative—for the final word.
The state’s current home for child care licensing guidance, rules and official resources.
Official rulesThe current Illinois licensing standards for a day care home, formerly numbered Rule 406.
Larger home programsThe current Illinois standards for a group day care home, formerly numbered Rule 408.
Training recordCreate your free membership and track training and education.
FormsFind child information, health, consent and licensing-summary forms.
Local supportConnect with training, technical assistance and child care resources near you.
Child care assistanceLearn how the Child Care Assistance Program works for licensed and license-exempt providers.
Food programFind the current Illinois administering-agency contact and family day care home guidance.
Insurance regulatorUse the national regulator directory to verify a company or agent and find consumer assistance.
Questions providers ask
The state says the license itself is free. Expect other costs for medical records, vaccinations, testing or inspections, safety equipment, supplies, training, pet vaccinations and business setup.
Not with a day care home or group day care home license. Illinois issues these licenses only for the family home where the applicant lives. Care in another house, apartment, garage or outbuilding may require a day care center license.
IDEC summarizes licensed family child care as up to eight children for one provider or up to 12 with an assistant. Your actual capacity depends on children’s ages, your own children, staffing and the approved areas of your home. Your licensing representative sets the licensed capacity during review.
There is no single timeline. It depends on application completeness, background checks, inspections, local approvals and how quickly the home meets the rules. Starting with orientation and a licensing representative helps prevent delays.
Yes. Household members age 13 and older are included in the process. The type of check differs by age and role, and people age 18 and older are generally fingerprinted for a comprehensive check.
Ready for step one?