How to Start a Daycare in Illinois (2026)

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Illinois

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

1. 1

   Research your state's rules

   Confirm whether your program needs a license in Illinois. Family homes that care for no more than 3 children under age 12, or that receive only children from a single household, for less than 24 hours per day, are exempt from licensure as day care homes; the 3 children include the operator's own natural or adopted children and any other persons under 12, whether related or unrelated to the operator (89 Ill. Adm. Code 377; 225 ILCS 10/2.09(a)(ii)).

   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. 2

   Complete pre-service training & CPR

   Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. Day care home applicants and assistants must complete at least 15 hours of pre-service training listed in Appendix D not more than one year prior to the application date (which includes Mandated Reporter Training and, for infant caregivers, SIDS/SUID/safe-sleep/Shaken Baby topics); the package includes the DCFS Day Care Home Licensing Orientation, a 3-contact-hour course per DCFS training (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.4 and Appendix D).

   Plan for ongoing training too: Day care home caregivers must complete 15 clock hours of in-service training per licensing year in accordance with Appendix D, with up to 5 excess hours carried forward to the next year (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.9 / Appendix D).

3. 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. 4

   Prepare your facility

   Set up a space that meets Illinois's facility standards. When a day care home's licensed capacity exceeds 8 children, there must be a minimum of 35 square feet of floor space per child in care, plus an additional 20 square feet per child under 30 months of age; the rule sets no outdoor square-footage minimum per child (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.8).

   Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A caregiver alone may care for up to 8 children under age 12, of which up to 5 may be under age 5 with up to 3 of those under 24 months (alternatively up to 6 under age 5 with up to 2 under 30 months); with a qualified assistant the home may add up to 4 full-time school-age children, reaching the statutory maximum of 12 children (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.13; 225 ILCS 10/2.18).

5. 5

   Submit your license application & fee

   File your application with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and pay the licensing fee. There is no application/license fee in Illinois: the day care home rule states "There shall be no fee or charge for the license" (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.6) and "There shall be no fee or charge for the permit" (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.7); day care centers are likewise fee-free under 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.

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

6. 6

   Pass the licensing inspection

   Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. Annual; complaint investigations as needed

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

7. 7

   Open your doors

   Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Illinois rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Infant (0-12 months) 1:4, Toddler (13-23 months) 1:5, Toddler (24-30 months) 1:8, Preschool (31 months-5 years) 1:10, School Age (5+ years) 1:20

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

8. 8

   Enroll families

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

Keep researching Illinois

Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Illinois statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.