Nevada Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Nevada (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Nevada means applying to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) program. (Statewide child care licensing is consolidated under DWSS; the last county program, Washoe, transferred to the state on July 1, 2024.), 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 Nevada's licensing statutes.

Nevada Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

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

Application fee
Per the State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide, child care licensing application fees are: Family Care home (up to 6 children) $20; Group Care home (up to 12 children) $60; and Centers (13 children or more) range from $100 up to $300 (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide; fee-setting authority NRS 432A.143/432A.146).
Annual renewal fee
Not published as a separate renewal dollar amount in Nevada's child care licensing materials; a Nevada child care license is effective for not more than 1 year and is renewed for 1-year terms (NRS 432A.141), and the State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide publishes only the schedule of application fees (Family Care $20, Group Care $60, Centers $100-$300).
Pre-service training
Nevada does not set a single named pre-service clock-hour total before unsupervised contact; instead, newly employed staff must be given a written and oral orientation within the first 2 weeks after commencing employment (NAC 432A.320), and the enumerated initial training topics (CPR, first aid, illness recognition, SIDS, shaken-baby/abusive-head-trauma prevention, medication administration, building/premises safety, emergency preparedness, child abuse recognition, wellness, etc.) must be completed within 90 days or 120 days of hire depending on the topic (NAC 432A.323).
Annual training
Each person employed in a child care facility, other than a facility that provides care for ill children, must complete 24 hours of training each year, of which 12 hours must be devoted to the care, education and safety of children specific to the age group served and 2 hours must address lifelong wellness, health and safety including childhood obesity, nutrition and physical activity (NRS 432A.1775); NAC 432A.326(1)(b) incorporates this NRS 432A.1775 figure by reference for facilities not caring for ill children, while facilities that do care for ill children must complete at least 24 hours (NAC 432A.326(1)(a)).
License-exempt threshold
A license is required once a person furnishes care for compensation to 5 or more children under 18 years of age (NRS 432A.024); care for not more than 4 unrelated children (those not related to the operator within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity) is a registrable "small child care establishment," not a licensed child care facility (NRS 432A.0295); and a home caring only for children related to the operator within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, or providing care for a friend's or neighbor's children for not more than 4 weeks where the person does not regularly do so, is fully exempt from the child care facility definition (NRS 432A.024).
Family child care capacity
A Nevada Family Care Home may care for up to 6 children total, with no more than 2 children under 1 year of age (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide, Family Care Homes group-size table); caring for up to 12 children makes it a Group Care Home, which requires one additional caregiver (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide; staffing ratios under NAC 432A.5205).
Indoor square footage
A facility must provide at least 35 square feet of indoor space for each child, exclusive of bathrooms, halls, kitchen, stairs, storage spaces, multipurpose rooms and gymnasiums that are not regularly used, plus at least 37 1/2 square feet of outdoor play space for each child based on the maximum number of children stated on the license (NAC 432A.250).
Inspection schedule
Inspections may be unannounced and must be made at least two times during the 12-month licensing period (i.e., approximately once every 6 months), per NAC 432A.190 (Inspections; investigations) and NRS 432A.180. Fire safety inspections by the State Fire Marshal (or designee) are conducted at least annually per NRS 432A.180 (Inspection of child care facilities and small child care establishments by Division, State Fire Marshal and Administrator; publication and availability of reports).

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Nevada

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

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in Nevada. A license is required once a person furnishes care for compensation to 5 or more children under 18 years of age (NRS 432A.024); care for not more than 4 unrelated children (those not related to the operator within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity) is a registrable "small child care establishment," not a licensed child care facility (NRS 432A.0295); and a home caring only for children related to the operator within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, or providing care for a friend's or neighbor's children for not more than 4 weeks where the person does not regularly do so, is fully exempt from the child care facility definition (NRS 432A.024).

    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. Nevada does not set a single named pre-service clock-hour total before unsupervised contact; instead, newly employed staff must be given a written and oral orientation within the first 2 weeks after commencing employment (NAC 432A.320), and the enumerated initial training topics (CPR, first aid, illness recognition, SIDS, shaken-baby/abusive-head-trauma prevention, medication administration, building/premises safety, emergency preparedness, child abuse recognition, wellness, etc.) must be completed within 90 days or 120 days of hire depending on the topic (NAC 432A.323).

    Plan for ongoing training too: Each person employed in a child care facility, other than a facility that provides care for ill children, must complete 24 hours of training each year, of which 12 hours must be devoted to the care, education and safety of children specific to the age group served and 2 hours must address lifelong wellness, health and safety including childhood obesity, nutrition and physical activity (NRS 432A.1775); NAC 432A.326(1)(b) incorporates this NRS 432A.1775 figure by reference for facilities not caring for ill children, while facilities that do care for ill children must complete at least 24 hours (NAC 432A.326(1)(a)).

  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 Nevada's facility standards. A facility must provide at least 35 square feet of indoor space for each child, exclusive of bathrooms, halls, kitchen, stairs, storage spaces, multipurpose rooms and gymnasiums that are not regularly used, plus at least 37 1/2 square feet of outdoor play space for each child based on the maximum number of children stated on the license (NAC 432A.250).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A Nevada Family Care Home may care for up to 6 children total, with no more than 2 children under 1 year of age (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide, Family Care Homes group-size table); caring for up to 12 children makes it a Group Care Home, which requires one additional caregiver (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide; staffing ratios under NAC 432A.5205).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) program. (Statewide child care licensing is consolidated under DWSS; the last county program, Washoe, transferred to the state on July 1, 2024.) and pay the licensing fee. Per the State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide, child care licensing application fees are: Family Care home (up to 6 children) $20; Group Care home (up to 12 children) $60; and Centers (13 children or more) range from $100 up to $300 (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide; fee-setting authority NRS 432A.143/432A.146).

    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. Inspections may be unannounced and must be made at least two times during the 12-month licensing period (i.e., approximately once every 6 months), per NAC 432A.190 (Inspections; investigations) and NRS 432A.180. Fire safety inspections by the State Fire Marshal (or designee) are conducted at least annually per NRS 432A.180 (Inspection of child care facilities and small child care establishments by Division, State Fire Marshal and Administrator; publication and availability of reports).

    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 Nevada rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Infants under 9 months (daytime 6:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) 1:4, 9 months to under 2 years (daytime) 1:6, 2 to under 3 years (daytime) 1:9, 3 to under 4 years (daytime) 1:12, 4 to under 5 years (daytime) 1:13, 5 years and older (daytime) 1:18, Under 3 years (night, 9:00 p.m.-6:30 a.m.) 1:6, 3 years and older (night) 1:10

    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, Nevada-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 Nevada

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

  • Consent and Release Form for Fingerprinting and Criminal/Child Abuse & Neglect Background Check (submitted via the Nevada Automated Backgrounds System, NABS)
  • Application for License to Operate a Child Care Facility (submitted via the CCL Online Licensing System)
  • Certificate of Immunization (required for each child prior to admission per NRS 432A.230)
  • State Immunization Exemption Form (medical or religious; provided by DPBH/Division, submitted to facility)
  • CCL Complaint Form
  • CCL Facility/Incident Report Form (e.g., for accidents/injuries/communicable disease per NAC 432A.378)
  • Written Emergency/Disaster Plan (required and posted under NAC 432A.280)

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Nevada requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) program. (Statewide child care licensing is consolidated under DWSS; the last county program, Washoe, transferred to the state on July 1, 2024.): Infants under 9 months (daytime 6:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) 1:4, 9 months to under 2 years (daytime) 1:6, 2 to under 3 years (daytime) 1:9, 3 to under 4 years (daytime) 1:12, 4 to under 5 years (daytime) 1:13, 5 years and older (daytime) 1:18, Under 3 years (night, 9:00 p.m.-6:30 a.m.) 1:6, 3 years and older (night) 1:10.

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your Nevada licensing kit

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

Starting a Daycare in Nevada: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Nevada?
A license is required once a person furnishes care for compensation to 5 or more children under 18 years of age (NRS 432A.024); care for not more than 4 unrelated children (those not related to the operator within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity) is a registrable "small child care establishment," not a licensed child care facility (NRS 432A.0295); and a home caring only for children related to the operator within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, or providing care for a friend's or neighbor's children for not more than 4 weeks where the person does not regularly do so, is fully exempt from the child care facility definition (NRS 432A.024).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Nevada?
Per the State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide, child care licensing application fees are: Family Care home (up to 6 children) $20; Group Care home (up to 12 children) $60; and Centers (13 children or more) range from $100 up to $300 (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide; fee-setting authority NRS 432A.143/432A.146). Renewal: Not published as a separate renewal dollar amount in Nevada's child care licensing materials; a Nevada child care license is effective for not more than 1 year and is renewed for 1-year terms (NRS 432A.141), and the State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide publishes only the schedule of application fees (Family Care $20, Group Care $60, Centers $100-$300).
Who issues daycare licenses in Nevada?
Childcare licensing in Nevada is handled by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) program. (Statewide child care licensing is consolidated under DWSS; the last county program, Washoe, transferred to the state on July 1, 2024.). 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 Nevada?
Nevada does not set a single named pre-service clock-hour total before unsupervised contact; instead, newly employed staff must be given a written and oral orientation within the first 2 weeks after commencing employment (NAC 432A.320), and the enumerated initial training topics (CPR, first aid, illness recognition, SIDS, shaken-baby/abusive-head-trauma prevention, medication administration, building/premises safety, emergency preparedness, child abuse recognition, wellness, etc.) must be completed within 90 days or 120 days of hire depending on the topic (NAC 432A.323).

Keep researching Nevada

Nevada Licensing Requirements

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

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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 Nevada statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) program. (Statewide child care licensing is consolidated under DWSS; the last county program, Washoe, transferred to the state on July 1, 2024.) before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.