Maine Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Maine (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Maine means applying to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation Unit, 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 Maine's licensing statutes.

Maine Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

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

Application fee
Family child care home: the application fee for a provisional license is $80.00 and the fee for a full license or its biennial renewal is $160.00 (a temporary license is $10.00) (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §3.A.6, §3.A.7, §3.A.8). Child Care Facility / Center: the application fee for a provisional or temporary license is $120.00 (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §2.8, 'Application fee').
Annual renewal fee
Family child care home: $160.00 biennial renewal (same as the full-license fee) (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §3.A.8). Child Care Facility / Center: the biennial renewal fee is $240.00, assessed for a full or conditional license (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §2.8, 'Renewal fee').
Pre-service training
Family child care: either the provider or at least one staff member must hold current Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification and must have completed at least 6 hours of pre-licensing training in healthy/safe environments, child development and related topics (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §7.A.4.b); all staff must receive orientation training within the first 90 days of service, with fire/disaster/emergency procedures completed within the first week (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.A). Child Care Facilities must provide pre-service orientation to all new staff and volunteers prior to or during the first week of service (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14.1, 'Pre-service orientation'). Training is registered through Maine's Professional Development Network.
Annual training
Family child care providers and staff: 12 hours of ongoing training required annually (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.B). Small Child Care Facilities (3-12 children): 12 hours of ongoing training per year for all childcare staff (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §26.2). Larger Child Care Centers: staff scheduled to work 20 hours/week or less need 18 hours of training per year and staff scheduled to work more than 20 hours/week need 30 hours per year (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §27, 'Ongoing training,' applied to facilities licensed for 13-20, 21-49, and 50+ children).
License-exempt threshold
Under current Maine statute (22 M.R.S. §8301-A(1-A)(C), as amended by P.L. 2025, c. 135, §1, effective September 24, 2025), a person caring for children in their own home is not required to be licensed as a family child care provider if caring for no more than 3 other children (or 4 other children if at least 2 of the children are siblings), with no more than 3 of the total children in care under age 2; a family child care provider license is required when caring for 4 to 12 children under 13 (22 M.R.S. §8301-A(1-A)(C)). A 'child care center' means a program for 13 or more children, and a 'small child care facility' means a non-residence program for 3 to 12 children (22 M.R.S. §8301-A(1-A)). NOTE: The 2021 rule texts (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 Def. 29 'License-Exempt' = 'maximum of two children'; Ch. 32 def. of 'Child Care Facility' = '3 or more children') still reflect the pre-2025 threshold and are superseded by the amended statute.
Family child care capacity
A licensed family child care home may care for up to 12 children total: 1 provider may care for 4 children ages 6 weeks to 2 years (or 8 children ages 2-5, or 12 children over age 5); 2 providers may care for 8 children under 2; and 3 providers may care for 12 children, with no more than 9 children under age 2 at any time (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §7.C, Staff-Child ratios table).
Indoor square footage
A minimum net area of 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child is required for both family child care homes (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §18.G, 'Minimum Usable Space'; excludes hallways, cubbies, door swings, closets, supply cabinets, and bathrooms) and Child Care Facilities/Centers (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §18.4.1, 'Minimum usable space'; excludes hallways, lockers, cubbies, door swings, closets, supply cabinets, corridors, bathrooms, teachers' spaces, food preparation areas, and offices). The rules require access to an outdoor play area with 'sufficient space for safe play' but specify no per-child outdoor square-footage figure (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §18.5; Ch. 33 §18.H).
Inspection schedule
The Department generally conducts unannounced site inspections. Routine inspections occur annually after the date of initial licensure (10-148 C.M.R. ch. 32, § 4(A)(2)); inspections also occur upon application (§ 4(A)(1)), on capacity/service changes (§ 4(A)(3)), and to investigate complaints or suspected abuse/neglect (§ 4(A)(4)). The Department may conduct more frequent inspections at its discretion.

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Maine

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

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in Maine. Under current Maine statute (22 M.R.S. §8301-A(1-A)(C), as amended by P.L. 2025, c. 135, §1, effective September 24, 2025), a person caring for children in their own home is not required to be licensed as a family child care provider if caring for no more than 3 other children (or 4 other children if at least 2 of the children are siblings), with no more than 3 of the total children in care under age 2; a family child care provider license is required when caring for 4 to 12 children under 13 (22 M.R.S. §8301-A(1-A)(C)). A 'child care center' means a program for 13 or more children, and a 'small child care facility' means a non-residence program for 3 to 12 children (22 M.R.S. §8301-A(1-A)). NOTE: The 2021 rule texts (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 Def. 29 'License-Exempt' = 'maximum of two children'; Ch. 32 def. of 'Child Care Facility' = '3 or more children') still reflect the pre-2025 threshold and are superseded by the amended statute.

    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. Family child care: either the provider or at least one staff member must hold current Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification and must have completed at least 6 hours of pre-licensing training in healthy/safe environments, child development and related topics (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §7.A.4.b); all staff must receive orientation training within the first 90 days of service, with fire/disaster/emergency procedures completed within the first week (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.A). Child Care Facilities must provide pre-service orientation to all new staff and volunteers prior to or during the first week of service (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14.1, 'Pre-service orientation'). Training is registered through Maine's Professional Development Network.

    Plan for ongoing training too: Family child care providers and staff: 12 hours of ongoing training required annually (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.B). Small Child Care Facilities (3-12 children): 12 hours of ongoing training per year for all childcare staff (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §26.2). Larger Child Care Centers: staff scheduled to work 20 hours/week or less need 18 hours of training per year and staff scheduled to work more than 20 hours/week need 30 hours per year (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §27, 'Ongoing training,' applied to facilities licensed for 13-20, 21-49, and 50+ children).

  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 Maine's facility standards. A minimum net area of 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child is required for both family child care homes (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §18.G, 'Minimum Usable Space'; excludes hallways, cubbies, door swings, closets, supply cabinets, and bathrooms) and Child Care Facilities/Centers (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §18.4.1, 'Minimum usable space'; excludes hallways, lockers, cubbies, door swings, closets, supply cabinets, corridors, bathrooms, teachers' spaces, food preparation areas, and offices). The rules require access to an outdoor play area with 'sufficient space for safe play' but specify no per-child outdoor square-footage figure (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §18.5; Ch. 33 §18.H).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A licensed family child care home may care for up to 12 children total: 1 provider may care for 4 children ages 6 weeks to 2 years (or 8 children ages 2-5, or 12 children over age 5); 2 providers may care for 8 children under 2; and 3 providers may care for 12 children, with no more than 9 children under age 2 at any time (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §7.C, Staff-Child ratios table).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation Unit and pay the licensing fee. Family child care home: the application fee for a provisional license is $80.00 and the fee for a full license or its biennial renewal is $160.00 (a temporary license is $10.00) (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §3.A.6, §3.A.7, §3.A.8). Child Care Facility / Center: the application fee for a provisional or temporary license is $120.00 (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §2.8, 'Application fee').

    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. The Department generally conducts unannounced site inspections. Routine inspections occur annually after the date of initial licensure (10-148 C.M.R. ch. 32, § 4(A)(2)); inspections also occur upon application (§ 4(A)(1)), on capacity/service changes (§ 4(A)(3)), and to investigate complaints or suspected abuse/neglect (§ 4(A)(4)). The Department may conduct more frequent inspections at its discretion.

    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 Maine rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Infants (6 weeks to 1 year) 1:4 (max group size 8), Young toddlers (1 year to 2.5 years) 1:4 (max group 12) or 1:5 (max group 10), Older toddlers/young preschool (2.5 years to 3.5 years) 1:7 (max group 21), Preschool (3 years to under 5 years) 1:8 (max group 24) or 1:10 (max group 20), School-age (5 years to 12 years) 1:13

    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, Maine-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 Maine

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

  • License application submitted via the OCFS 'Baxter' online provider portal (create/submit/manage Child Care Licensing applications, inspections, action plans) - 10-148 C.M.R. ch. 32 § 2(C) (Application)
  • Center Pre-Licensing Checklist
  • Zoning and Code Compliance Letter
  • Authorization for Release of Personal History Information
  • Serious Injury and Illness Report
  • Sample Child Enrollment Form
  • Sample Child Care Contract
  • Sample Emergency Medical Treatment Release
  • Sample Medication Administration Permission Form and Medication Administration Record
  • Certificate of Immunization (per Maine Childcare Immunization Standards; on file within 30 days of admission, updated annually)
  • Immunization Medical Exemption documentation (physician statement that immunization is medically inadvisable)
  • Sample Health Care Consultant Agreement
  • Sample Accident / Incident Report
  • Provider (Parent) Handbook (required content under § 2(F))
  • Comprehensive Background Check request per 10-148 C.M.R. ch. 34 (Child Care Provider Background Check Licensing Rule), fingerprint-based, via OCFS Background Check Unit

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Maine requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation Unit: Infants (6 weeks to 1 year) 1:4 (max group size 8), Young toddlers (1 year to 2.5 years) 1:4 (max group 12) or 1:5 (max group 10), Older toddlers/young preschool (2.5 years to 3.5 years) 1:7 (max group 21), Preschool (3 years to under 5 years) 1:8 (max group 24) or 1:10 (max group 20), School-age (5 years to 12 years) 1:13.

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

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

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One-time purchase · Maine-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in Maine: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Maine?
Under current Maine statute (22 M.R.S. §8301-A(1-A)(C), as amended by P.L. 2025, c. 135, §1, effective September 24, 2025), a person caring for children in their own home is not required to be licensed as a family child care provider if caring for no more than 3 other children (or 4 other children if at least 2 of the children are siblings), with no more than 3 of the total children in care under age 2; a family child care provider license is required when caring for 4 to 12 children under 13 (22 M.R.S. §8301-A(1-A)(C)). A 'child care center' means a program for 13 or more children, and a 'small child care facility' means a non-residence program for 3 to 12 children (22 M.R.S. §8301-A(1-A)). NOTE: The 2021 rule texts (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 Def. 29 'License-Exempt' = 'maximum of two children'; Ch. 32 def. of 'Child Care Facility' = '3 or more children') still reflect the pre-2025 threshold and are superseded by the amended statute.
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Maine?
Family child care home: the application fee for a provisional license is $80.00 and the fee for a full license or its biennial renewal is $160.00 (a temporary license is $10.00) (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §3.A.6, §3.A.7, §3.A.8). Child Care Facility / Center: the application fee for a provisional or temporary license is $120.00 (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §2.8, 'Application fee'). Renewal: Family child care home: $160.00 biennial renewal (same as the full-license fee) (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §3.A.8). Child Care Facility / Center: the biennial renewal fee is $240.00, assessed for a full or conditional license (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §2.8, 'Renewal fee').
Who issues daycare licenses in Maine?
Childcare licensing in Maine is handled by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation Unit. 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 Maine?
Family child care: either the provider or at least one staff member must hold current Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification and must have completed at least 6 hours of pre-licensing training in healthy/safe environments, child development and related topics (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §7.A.4.b); all staff must receive orientation training within the first 90 days of service, with fire/disaster/emergency procedures completed within the first week (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.A). Child Care Facilities must provide pre-service orientation to all new staff and volunteers prior to or during the first week of service (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14.1, 'Pre-service orientation'). Training is registered through Maine's Professional Development Network.

Keep researching Maine

Maine Licensing Requirements

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

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How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

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

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License-Exemption Thresholds by State

Compare when a license is required across all 50 states.

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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 Maine statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation Unit before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.