Idaho Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Idaho (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Idaho means applying to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Welfare (Self-Reliance) — daycare licensing; IdahoSTARS Customer Support Specialists collect documentation and assist applicants through the state licensing process on behalf of the Department, 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 Idaho's licensing statutes.

Idaho Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

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

Application fee
Idaho's total daycare license fee shall not exceed $100 for all other daycare facilities (family/group), $250 for a daycare center with thirteen (13) to twenty-five (25) children, and $325 for a daycare center with more than twenty-five (25) children, plus criminal history background-check fees at actual cost; no other fees shall be charged per license period (Idaho Code 39-1107(1)).
Annual renewal fee
The basic daycare license is valid for two (2) years and is renewed by submitting the renewal application with "the required renewal fee" and a criminal history check; Idaho sets no separate higher renewal amount, and "no other fees shall be charged for each license period," so the same fee cap ($100 family/group; $250 center 13-25; $325 center 25+) applies (Idaho Code 39-1106(1)-(2) and 39-1107(1)).
Pre-service training
Contact your Idaho licensing office to confirm.
Annual training
The owner or operator of a daycare center must ensure each employee receives four (4) hours of ongoing training in child development areas related to daycare every twelve (12) months after the employee's hire date (Idaho Code 39-1119).
License-exempt threshold
In Idaho a "family daycare home" providing daycare for six (6) or fewer children ("child" = person under thirteen (13)) is exempt from the basic daycare license; any person providing daycare for four (4) or more children in a family daycare home is not required to be licensed but must complete a criminal history/background check, and a license-required "daycare facility" begins at seven (7) or more children not related to the provider, with a "group daycare facility" defined as seven (7) to twelve (12) children (Idaho Code 39-1102(2),(5),(8),(9) and 39-1114(1)).
Family child care capacity
A "family daycare home" provides daycare for six (6) or fewer children and a "group daycare facility" for seven (7) to twelve (12) children; capacity is governed by a maximum allowable child:staff ratio of twelve (12) points per staff member (each child under twenty-four (24) months = 2 points), so a single provider may serve up to six (6) infants or twelve (12) points' worth of older children (Idaho Code 39-1102(8),(9) and 39-1109(4)).
Indoor square footage
Contact your Idaho licensing office to confirm.
Inspection schedule
Health and safety inspections are conducted annually by a qualified inspector designated by the Department and are unannounced (IDAPA 16.06.03.380). Fire safety inspections are completed by the local fire official or designee (a fire department or fire district official) at application/renewal (IDAPA 16.06.03.360.01; Idaho Code § 39-1104). A daycare license must be renewed every two (2) years (IDAPA 16.06.03.121.10). The Department may access the premises and records for reinspection at any time during the licensing period (IDAPA 16.06.03.420.01). Immunization-compliance inspections may be conducted with at least 30 days' notice (Idaho Code § 39-1118(5)).

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Idaho

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

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in Idaho. In Idaho a "family daycare home" providing daycare for six (6) or fewer children ("child" = person under thirteen (13)) is exempt from the basic daycare license; any person providing daycare for four (4) or more children in a family daycare home is not required to be licensed but must complete a criminal history/background check, and a license-required "daycare facility" begins at seven (7) or more children not related to the provider, with a "group daycare facility" defined as seven (7) to twelve (12) children (Idaho Code 39-1102(2),(5),(8),(9) and 39-1114(1)).

    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.

  2. Complete pre-service training & CPR

    Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. Contact your Idaho licensing office to confirm.

    Plan for ongoing training too: The owner or operator of a daycare center must ensure each employee receives four (4) hours of ongoing training in child development areas related to daycare every twelve (12) months after the employee's hire date (Idaho Code 39-1119).

  3. 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.

  4. Prepare your facility

    Set up a space that meets Idaho's facility standards. Contact your Idaho licensing office to confirm.

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A "family daycare home" provides daycare for six (6) or fewer children and a "group daycare facility" for seven (7) to twelve (12) children; capacity is governed by a maximum allowable child:staff ratio of twelve (12) points per staff member (each child under twenty-four (24) months = 2 points), so a single provider may serve up to six (6) infants or twelve (12) points' worth of older children (Idaho Code 39-1102(8),(9) and 39-1109(4)).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Welfare (Self-Reliance) — daycare licensing; IdahoSTARS Customer Support Specialists collect documentation and assist applicants through the state licensing process on behalf of the Department and pay the licensing fee. Idaho's total daycare license fee shall not exceed $100 for all other daycare facilities (family/group), $250 for a daycare center with thirteen (13) to twenty-five (25) children, and $325 for a daycare center with more than twenty-five (25) children, plus criminal history background-check fees at actual cost; no other fees shall be charged per license period (Idaho Code 39-1107(1)).

    Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.

  6. Pass the licensing inspection

    Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. Health and safety inspections are conducted annually by a qualified inspector designated by the Department and are unannounced (IDAPA 16.06.03.380). Fire safety inspections are completed by the local fire official or designee (a fire department or fire district official) at application/renewal (IDAPA 16.06.03.360.01; Idaho Code § 39-1104). A daycare license must be renewed every two (2) years (IDAPA 16.06.03.121.10). The Department may access the premises and records for reinspection at any time during the licensing period (IDAPA 16.06.03.420.01). Immunization-compliance inspections may be conducted with at least 30 days' notice (Idaho Code § 39-1118(5)).

    The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.

  7. Open your doors

    Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Idaho rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Under 24 months 2 points per child; max 12 points per staff member = up to 6 infants per staff (Idaho Code § 39-1109(4)), 24 months to under 36 months 1.33 points per child; max 12 points per staff = up to ~9 children per staff (Idaho Code § 39-1109(4)), 36 months to under 5 years 0.923 of a point per child; max 12 points per staff = up to 13 children per staff (Idaho Code § 39-1109(4)), 5 years to under 13 years 0.48 of a point per child; max 12 points per staff = up to 25 children per staff (Idaho Code § 39-1109(4)), All ages (minimum staffing floor) At least one adult employee must be present at all times when any child is in attendance (Idaho Code § 39-1109(3)); maximum 12 points per staff member overall (§ 39-1109(4))

    Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.

  8. Enroll families

    Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, Idaho-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 Idaho

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

  • Completed Licensing Application for a daycare license (collected by IdahoSTARS Customer Support Specialists; apply via idahostars.org/Child-Care-Providers/Child-Care-Licensing or Idaho CareLine / 2-1-1; IDAPA 16.06.03.121.01)
  • Fire safety / fire inspection report by a fire department or fire district official (IDAPA 16.06.03.360.01 and Idaho Code § 39-1104)
  • Health and safety inspection report ordered by the Department once application is complete and fee paid (IDAPA 16.06.03.121.09 / 16.06.03.380; Idaho Code § 39-1104)
  • Inspection reports per IDAPA 16.06.03.121.03 (building code IDAPA 24.39.30 where required; electrical code IDAPA 24.39.10 where required; fire code per Idaho Code § 41-253 where required; local planning & zoning compliance)
  • Proof of current fire and liability insurance (IDAPA 16.06.03.121.04)
  • Department enhanced background check clearance (IDAPA 16.06.03.121.05 and 16.06.03.009; conducted under IDAPA 16.05.06; Idaho Code §§ 39-1105, 39-1113)
  • Statement to Comply, including 45 CFR 98.41 maltreatment certification (IDAPA 16.06.03.121.06)
  • Statement Disclosing Revocation or Disciplinary Actions (IDAPA 16.06.03.121.07)
  • Child immunization record or waiver/exemption form or statement (Idaho Code § 39-1118; IDAPA 16.06.03.201.05.a)

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Idaho requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Welfare (Self-Reliance) — daycare licensing; IdahoSTARS Customer Support Specialists collect documentation and assist applicants through the state licensing process on behalf of the Department: Under 24 months 2 points per child; max 12 points per staff member = up to 6 infants per staff (Idaho Code § 39-1109(4)), 24 months to under 36 months 1.33 points per child; max 12 points per staff = up to ~9 children per staff (Idaho Code § 39-1109(4)), 36 months to under 5 years 0.923 of a point per child; max 12 points per staff = up to 13 children per staff (Idaho Code § 39-1109(4)), 5 years to under 13 years 0.48 of a point per child; max 12 points per staff = up to 25 children per staff (Idaho Code § 39-1109(4)), All ages (minimum staffing floor) At least one adult employee must be present at all times when any child is in attendance (Idaho Code § 39-1109(3)); maximum 12 points per staff member overall (§ 39-1109(4)).

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your Idaho licensing kit

The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all Idaho-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 · Idaho-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in Idaho: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Idaho?
In Idaho a "family daycare home" providing daycare for six (6) or fewer children ("child" = person under thirteen (13)) is exempt from the basic daycare license; any person providing daycare for four (4) or more children in a family daycare home is not required to be licensed but must complete a criminal history/background check, and a license-required "daycare facility" begins at seven (7) or more children not related to the provider, with a "group daycare facility" defined as seven (7) to twelve (12) children (Idaho Code 39-1102(2),(5),(8),(9) and 39-1114(1)).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Idaho?
Idaho's total daycare license fee shall not exceed $100 for all other daycare facilities (family/group), $250 for a daycare center with thirteen (13) to twenty-five (25) children, and $325 for a daycare center with more than twenty-five (25) children, plus criminal history background-check fees at actual cost; no other fees shall be charged per license period (Idaho Code 39-1107(1)). Renewal: The basic daycare license is valid for two (2) years and is renewed by submitting the renewal application with "the required renewal fee" and a criminal history check; Idaho sets no separate higher renewal amount, and "no other fees shall be charged for each license period," so the same fee cap ($100 family/group; $250 center 13-25; $325 center 25+) applies (Idaho Code 39-1106(1)-(2) and 39-1107(1)).
Who issues daycare licenses in Idaho?
Childcare licensing in Idaho is handled by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Welfare (Self-Reliance) — daycare licensing; IdahoSTARS Customer Support Specialists collect documentation and assist applicants through the state licensing process on behalf of the Department. 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 Idaho?
Contact your Idaho licensing office to confirm.

Keep researching Idaho

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License-Exemption Thresholds by State

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Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

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Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Idaho statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Welfare (Self-Reliance) — daycare licensing; IdahoSTARS Customer Support Specialists collect documentation and assist applicants through the state licensing process on behalf of the Department before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.