Illinois Childcare Licensing
Illinois Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
Illinois childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. 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).
Licensing Agency
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamIllinois Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
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)
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.
89 Ill
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.
89 Ill
Illinois Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | 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). |
|---|---|
| Annual training | 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). |
Go Deeper
Generate a Illinois-Compliant Handbook
TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your Illinois childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
Illinois Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does Illinois require?
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).
How many annual training hours does Illinois require?
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).
Does CPR/First Aid count toward Illinois training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services before relying on it for your annual total.
Illinois childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Illinois administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.