Do I need a license to start a daycare in Arkansas?

In Arkansas a person may care for fewer than six (6) children from more than one (1) family at the same time without a child care license; once six (6) or more children from more than one family are in care, a license is required, and a maximum of sixteen (16) children may be cared for under a Child Care Family Home license (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-202(2)(D)(v); DCCECE Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Family Homes, Section 102.4). A day care family home not required to be licensed (fewer than six children) may voluntarily register on the Division's voluntary registry (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-221).

How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Arkansas?

Arkansas charges no separate flat application fee; a grep of the statute and both Minimum Licensing Requirements documents returns no 'application fee.' The only fee is the statutory annual license fee, set by capacity and paid at the annual licensing or renewal date: $15.00/year for facilities serving fewer than 17 children (the rate for a Child Care Family Home), $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Child Care Center MLR 104.1.a-c). Renewal: The license fee is an annual fee charged at each annual licensing or renewal date, identical to the initial fee: $15.00/year for fewer than 17 children, $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Center MLR 104.1). There is no distinct renewal fee beyond this annual fee.

What training do I need before opening a daycare in Arkansas?

All new caregivers/staff who provide direct care must receive a basic orientation on policies, the Minimum Licensing Requirements, and emergency procedures before providing care, and must complete an eight (8) clock-hour Introduction orientation within three (3) months of employment (and every three years thereafter); they may not be left alone with children until the orientation is completed (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.7; Child Care Center MLR 303.3-303.4). Newly licensed family home caregivers must also attend Family Child Care Provider Training and the Business Administration Scale (BAS) training within six (6) months of being licensed (Family Home MLR 303.13).

Arkansas Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Arkansas (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Arkansas means applying to the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE), clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in Arkansas's licensing statutes.

Arkansas Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your Arkansas launch budget and timeline.

Application fee: Arkansas charges no separate flat application fee; a grep of the statute and both Minimum Licensing Requirements documents returns no 'application fee.' The only fee is the statutory annual license fee, set by capacity and paid at the annual licensing or renewal date: $15.00/year for facilities serving fewer than 17 children (the rate for a Child Care Family Home), $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Child Care Center MLR 104.1.a-c).
Annual renewal fee: The license fee is an annual fee charged at each annual licensing or renewal date, identical to the initial fee: $15.00/year for fewer than 17 children, $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Center MLR 104.1). There is no distinct renewal fee beyond this annual fee.
Pre-service training: All new caregivers/staff who provide direct care must receive a basic orientation on policies, the Minimum Licensing Requirements, and emergency procedures before providing care, and must complete an eight (8) clock-hour Introduction orientation within three (3) months of employment (and every three years thereafter); they may not be left alone with children until the orientation is completed (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.7; Child Care Center MLR 303.3-303.4). Newly licensed family home caregivers must also attend Family Child Care Provider Training and the Business Administration Scale (BAS) training within six (6) months of being licensed (Family Home MLR 303.13).
Annual training: All caregivers/staff who work directly with children must obtain at least fifteen (15) hours of continuing early childhood education training each year, registered with the DCCECE Professional Development Registry or other approved provider (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.6; Child Care Center MLR 301.4).
License-exempt threshold: In Arkansas a person may care for fewer than six (6) children from more than one (1) family at the same time without a child care license; once six (6) or more children from more than one family are in care, a license is required, and a maximum of sixteen (16) children may be cared for under a Child Care Family Home license (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-202(2)(D)(v); DCCECE Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Family Homes, Section 102.4). A day care family home not required to be licensed (fewer than six children) may voluntarily register on the Division's voluntary registry (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-221).
Family child care capacity: A Licensed Child Care Family Home serves six (6) to sixteen (16) children (Family Home MLR 102.4). With one (1) caregiver the home may care for up to 10 children (e.g., up to 8 with no more than 1 under age 2; up to 10 if all are age 3 and up); with two (2) caregivers up to 14 children (no more than 4 under age 2), rising to 15-16 only when no more than 2 children are under age 2; homes specializing in infant care must maintain a 1:3 ratio (DCCECE Family Home MLR 301.1, 301.2, 302.1).
Indoor square footage: At least thirty-five (35) square feet of usable indoor floor space is required per child, excluding kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and closets (DCCECE Family Home MLR 801.3; Child Care Center MLR 801.5), plus at least seventy-five (75) square feet per child of outdoor play/learning area present on the playground at any time (Family Home MLR 901.4; Center MLR 901 playground requirement). School-age children in centers require 25 square feet of floor space each (Center MLR 1501).
Inspection schedule: Unannounced on-site monitoring visits at least three (3) times per year for child care centers; family/registered homes one to three times annually depending on program type. Conducted by the Office of Early Childhood Child Care Licensing Unit (Licensing Specialists). Statutory inspection/investigation authority: Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-214 (Investigating child care facilities) and MLR Section 108 Licensing Investigations. NOTE: the 'three times per year' frequency is the Division's stated monitoring policy (per DESE/ADE), not a number fixed in § 20-78-214.

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Arkansas

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in Arkansas's childcare licensing rules.

Research your state's rules
Confirm whether your program needs a license in Arkansas. In Arkansas a person may care for fewer than six (6) children from more than one (1) family at the same time without a child care license; once six (6) or more children from more than one family are in care, a license is required, and a maximum of sixteen (16) children may be cared for under a Child Care Family Home license (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-202(2)(D)(v); DCCECE Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Family Homes, Section 102.4). A day care family home not required to be licensed (fewer than six children) may voluntarily register on the Division's voluntary registry (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-221).
Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.
Complete pre-service training & CPR
Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. All new caregivers/staff who provide direct care must receive a basic orientation on policies, the Minimum Licensing Requirements, and emergency procedures before providing care, and must complete an eight (8) clock-hour Introduction orientation within three (3) months of employment (and every three years thereafter); they may not be left alone with children until the orientation is completed (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.7; Child Care Center MLR 303.3-303.4). Newly licensed family home caregivers must also attend Family Child Care Provider Training and the Business Administration Scale (BAS) training within six (6) months of being licensed (Family Home MLR 303.13).
Plan for ongoing training too: All caregivers/staff who work directly with children must obtain at least fifteen (15) hours of continuing early childhood education training each year, registered with the DCCECE Professional Development Registry or other approved provider (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.6; Child Care Center MLR 301.4).
Pass background checks
Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.
Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.
Prepare your facility
Set up a space that meets Arkansas's facility standards. At least thirty-five (35) square feet of usable indoor floor space is required per child, excluding kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and closets (DCCECE Family Home MLR 801.3; Child Care Center MLR 801.5), plus at least seventy-five (75) square feet per child of outdoor play/learning area present on the playground at any time (Family Home MLR 901.4; Center MLR 901 playground requirement). School-age children in centers require 25 square feet of floor space each (Center MLR 1501).
Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A Licensed Child Care Family Home serves six (6) to sixteen (16) children (Family Home MLR 102.4). With one (1) caregiver the home may care for up to 10 children (e.g., up to 8 with no more than 1 under age 2; up to 10 if all are age 3 and up); with two (2) caregivers up to 14 children (no more than 4 under age 2), rising to 15-16 only when no more than 2 children are under age 2; homes specializing in infant care must maintain a 1:3 ratio (DCCECE Family Home MLR 301.1, 301.2, 302.1).
Submit your license application & fee
File your application with the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE) and pay the licensing fee. Arkansas charges no separate flat application fee; a grep of the statute and both Minimum Licensing Requirements documents returns no 'application fee.' The only fee is the statutory annual license fee, set by capacity and paid at the annual licensing or renewal date: $15.00/year for facilities serving fewer than 17 children (the rate for a Child Care Family Home), $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Child Care Center MLR 104.1.a-c).
Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.
Pass the licensing inspection
Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. Unannounced on-site monitoring visits at least three (3) times per year for child care centers; family/registered homes one to three times annually depending on program type. Conducted by the Office of Early Childhood Child Care Licensing Unit (Licensing Specialists). Statutory inspection/investigation authority: Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-214 (Investigating child care facilities) and MLR Section 108 Licensing Investigations. NOTE: the 'three times per year' frequency is the Division's stated monitoring policy (per DESE/ADE), not a number fixed in § 20-78-214.
The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.
Open your doors
Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Arkansas rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Birth – 18 months (infants) 1:5, 18 months – 36 months (toddlers) 1:8, 2½ – 3 years 1:12, 4 years 1:15, 5 years to Kindergarten 1:18, Kindergarten and above (school age) 1:18 (also 1:18 for transporting children kindergarten and above only; driver may be counted)
Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.
Enroll families
Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, Arkansas-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.
Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in Arkansas

Arkansas licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers — publication PUB-002 (the governing standards document; Rev. 12/01/2020)
Signed Application for a Child Care Facility License with a designated person assuming legal responsibility (MLR Section 103), submitted to the Office of Early Childhood (Child Care Licensing Unit)
Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check request — DHS Division of Children and Family Services (MLR Section 109; required at application/employment and every two (2) years thereafter)
Arkansas State Police statewide criminal records check plus nationwide FBI fingerprint criminal background check, applied through the Identification Bureau of the Arkansas State Police (MLR Sections 109/110; individual bears the cost of the nationwide check)
Staff current health card or licensed physician's statement (MLR Section 603 staff records; physician's statement may be required by Child Care Licensing)
Child enrollment/children's record including emergency contacts and written parental authorization for emergency medical care and for transportation/field trips (MLR Section 604)
Authorized record of up-to-date immunizations, or documentation of a religious or medical exemption (MLR Section 604, item h)

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Arkansas requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE): Birth – 18 months (infants) 1:5, 18 months – 36 months (toddlers) 1:8, 2½ – 3 years 1:12, 4 years 1:15, 5 years to Kindergarten 1:18, Kindergarten and above (school age) 1:18 (also 1:18 for transporting children kindergarten and above only; driver may be counted).

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your Arkansas licensing kit

The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all Arkansas-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

See the Startup Bundle →

One-time purchase · Arkansas-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in Arkansas: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Arkansas?: In Arkansas a person may care for fewer than six (6) children from more than one (1) family at the same time without a child care license; once six (6) or more children from more than one family are in care, a license is required, and a maximum of sixteen (16) children may be cared for under a Child Care Family Home license (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-202(2)(D)(v); DCCECE Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Family Homes, Section 102.4). A day care family home not required to be licensed (fewer than six children) may voluntarily register on the Division's voluntary registry (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-221).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Arkansas?: Arkansas charges no separate flat application fee; a grep of the statute and both Minimum Licensing Requirements documents returns no 'application fee.' The only fee is the statutory annual license fee, set by capacity and paid at the annual licensing or renewal date: $15.00/year for facilities serving fewer than 17 children (the rate for a Child Care Family Home), $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Child Care Center MLR 104.1.a-c). Renewal: The license fee is an annual fee charged at each annual licensing or renewal date, identical to the initial fee: $15.00/year for fewer than 17 children, $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Center MLR 104.1). There is no distinct renewal fee beyond this annual fee.
Who issues daycare licenses in Arkansas?: Childcare licensing in Arkansas is handled by the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE). You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in Arkansas?: All new caregivers/staff who provide direct care must receive a basic orientation on policies, the Minimum Licensing Requirements, and emergency procedures before providing care, and must complete an eight (8) clock-hour Introduction orientation within three (3) months of employment (and every three years thereafter); they may not be left alone with children until the orientation is completed (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.7; Child Care Center MLR 303.3-303.4). Newly licensed family home caregivers must also attend Family Child Care Provider Training and the Business Administration Scale (BAS) training within six (6) months of being licensed (Family Home MLR 303.13).

Keep researching Arkansas

Arkansas Licensing Requirements

Full handbook sections, ratios, immunization rules, and penalties for Arkansas.

How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

The cross-state playbook, from choosing a program type to opening day.

License-Exemption Thresholds by State

Compare when a license is required across all 50 states.

Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Arkansas statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE) before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.

How to Start a Daycare in Arkansas (2026)

Arkansas Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Arkansas

Research your state's rules

Complete pre-service training & CPR

Pass background checks

Prepare your facility

Submit your license application & fee

Pass the licensing inspection

Open your doors

Enroll families

What You Need to Apply in Arkansas

Get your Arkansas licensing kit

Starting a Daycare in Arkansas: FAQs

Keep researching Arkansas