Indiana Childcare Licensing
Indiana Childcare Licensing Requirements (2026)
Indiana childcare licensing is administered by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care. A licensed Indiana center must maintain a parent handbook covering 13 state-mandated policy areas, each tied to a specific administrative-code citation. The division (FSSA/OECOSL) and the State Fire Marshal must make annual on-site inspections of each licensed child care center and keep written records of their monitoring (IC 12-17.2-4-15). The licensee must cooperate with announced and unannounced inspections (IC 12-17.2-4-16). The division investigates compliance at a reasonable time, in announced or unannounced visits, through onsite inspections, record reading, observation, and interviewing (IC 12-17.2-4-7). Licenses expire two (2) years after issuance unless revoked, modified to probationary/suspended status, or voluntarily returned (IC 12-17.2-4-12). Custodial parents/guardians may make unscheduled visits at any time the center is in operation (IC 12-17.2-4-17).
Licensing Agency
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamIndiana Licensing Requirements: The Specifics
Indiana childcare centers must include a written Hours of Operation section in the parent handbook (Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy.) per 470 IAC 3-4.7-149 (Extended hours of operation); 470 IAC 3-4.7-150 through -154 (night care: -150 Night care approval, -151 Night care staffing, -152 Night care, -153 Night care program and equipment, -154 Night care food service). The Indiana center licensing rules do not set routine daily operating hours; the only rule expressly governing hours is the extended-hours/night-care provision. Statutory basis: IC 12-17.2-4-12 (license display and operation)..
470 IAC 3-4.7-149 (Extended hours of operation); 470 IAC 3-4.7-150 through -154 (night care: -150 Night care approval, -151 Night care staffing, -152 Night care, -153 Night care program and equipment, -154 Night care food service). The Indiana center licensing rules do not set routine daily operating hours; the only rule expressly governing hours is the extended-hours/night-care provision. Statutory basis: IC 12-17.2-4-12 (license display and operation).
Indiana childcare centers must include a written Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy section in the parent handbook (Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps.) per 470 IAC 3-4.7-54 (Positive discipline); 470 IAC 3-4.7-55 (Inappropriate discipline); 470 IAC 3-4.7-56 (Discipline documentation).
470 IAC 3-4.7-54 (Positive discipline); 470 IAC 3-4.7-55 (Inappropriate discipline); 470 IAC 3-4.7-56 (Discipline documentation)
Indiana childcare centers must include a written Illness and Exclusion Policy section in the parent handbook (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per 470 IAC 3-4.7-87 (Ill child procedures); related: 470 IAC 3-4.7-89 (Communicable disease) and 470 IAC 3-4.7-155 (Ill child care space requirement).
470 IAC 3-4.7-87 (Ill child procedures); related: 470 IAC 3-4.7-89 (Communicable disease) and 470 IAC 3-4.7-155 (Ill child care space requirement)
Indiana childcare centers must include a written Medication Administration Policy section in the parent handbook (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per 470 IAC 3-4.7-88 (Medication); related recordkeeping: 470 IAC 3-4.7-40 (Children's medication records).
470 IAC 3-4.7-88 (Medication); related recordkeeping: 470 IAC 3-4.7-40 (Children's medication records)
Indiana childcare centers must include a written Emergency Procedures section in the parent handbook (Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.) per 470 IAC 3-4.7-91 (Emergency equipment and procedures); 470 IAC 3-4.7-92 (Evacuation procedures); 470 IAC 3-4.7-103 (Emergency drills); 470 IAC 3-4.7-42 (Emergency information file).
470 IAC 3-4.7-91 (Emergency equipment and procedures); 470 IAC 3-4.7-92 (Evacuation procedures); 470 IAC 3-4.7-103 (Emergency drills); 470 IAC 3-4.7-42 (Emergency information file)
Indiana childcare centers must include a written Arrival and Departure Procedures section in the parent handbook (Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees.) per 470 IAC 3-4.7-17 (Admission, discharge, arrival, and departure policies); related: 470 IAC 3-4.7-45 (Attendance records).
470 IAC 3-4.7-17 (Admission, discharge, arrival, and departure policies); related: 470 IAC 3-4.7-45 (Attendance records)
Indiana Licensing Requirements at a Glance
| Hours of Operation | 470 IAC 3-4.7-149 (Extended hours of operation); 470 IAC 3-4.7-150 through -154 (night care: -150 Night care approval, -151 Night care staffing, -152 Night care, -153 Night care program and equipment, -154 Night care food service). The Indiana center licensing rules do not set routine daily operating hours; the only rule expressly governing hours is the extended-hours/night-care provision. Statutory basis: IC 12-17.2-4-12 (license display and operation). |
|---|---|
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy | 470 IAC 3-4.7-54 (Positive discipline); 470 IAC 3-4.7-55 (Inappropriate discipline); 470 IAC 3-4.7-56 (Discipline documentation) |
| Illness and Exclusion Policy | 470 IAC 3-4.7-87 (Ill child procedures); related: 470 IAC 3-4.7-89 (Communicable disease) and 470 IAC 3-4.7-155 (Ill child care space requirement) |
| Medication Administration Policy | 470 IAC 3-4.7-88 (Medication); related recordkeeping: 470 IAC 3-4.7-40 (Children's medication records) |
| Emergency Procedures | 470 IAC 3-4.7-91 (Emergency equipment and procedures); 470 IAC 3-4.7-92 (Evacuation procedures); 470 IAC 3-4.7-103 (Emergency drills); 470 IAC 3-4.7-42 (Emergency information file) |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | 470 IAC 3-4.7-17 (Admission, discharge, arrival, and departure policies); related: 470 IAC 3-4.7-45 (Attendance records) |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | 470 IAC 3-4.7-75 (Food program); 470 IAC 3-4.7-76 (Menus); 470 IAC 3-4.7-77 (Meal times); 470 IAC 3-4.7-78 (Meal components); 470 IAC 3-4.7-79 (General meal guidelines); 470 IAC 3-4.7-82 (Special diets) [food program range 470 IAC 3-4.7-75 through -83] |
| Parent Communication Policy | 470 IAC 3-4.7-18 (Parent communication); related: 470 IAC 3-4.7-19 (Posted items) and statutory IC 12-17.2-4-17 (Unscheduled visits by parents and guardians) |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | IC 12-17.2-4-12(e) (licensee must publicly display a telephone number and Internet site where parents may obtain from the division the licensee's license status, complaints filed, and violations); enforcement/complaint handling at IC 12-17.2-4-19 (Notice of enforcement actions; informal meetings) and IC 12-17.2-4-20 (Administrative hearings). No standalone parent-grievance section exists in 470 IAC 3-4.7; this is the closest verified umbrella citation. |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | 470 IAC 3-4.7-13 (Reporting child abuse or neglect); statutory basis IC 12-17.2-4-36 (Investigation of abuse or neglect; child care center) and IC 31-33-5-1 (mandatory reporting duty) |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | 470 IAC 3-4.7-16 (Enrollment policies); related: 470 IAC 3-4.7-17 (Admission, discharge, arrival, and departure policies) and 470 IAC 3-4.7-36 (Children's admission records). Note: Indiana center licensing rule does NOT mandate a fee schedule or written fee policy; the required written disclosure items under 470 IAC 3-4.7-16 do not include fees. Fee terms are set by center policy, not by a specific rule section. 470 IAC 3-4.7-16 is the closest verified umbrella enrollment citation. |
| Health and Safety Policies | 470 IAC 3-4.7-84 (Health program); 470 IAC 3-4.7-86 (Child health requirements); 470 IAC 3-4.7-85 (Adult health requirements); 470 IAC 3-4.7-66 (Playground and outdoor safety); 470 IAC 3-4.7-99 through -118 (building maintenance and safety). Statutory basis: IC 12-17.2-4-2 (food, health, safety, and sanitation standards required for licensure). |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | 470 IAC 3-4.7-16 (Enrollment policies) and 470 IAC 3-4.7-148 (Special needs program) (umbrella). Indiana child care center licensing rules (470 IAC 3-4.7) contain no express standalone nondiscrimination section; nondiscrimination/equal-access obligations attach through the CCDF provider agreement and federal civil-rights law (Title VI, ADA, Section 504). 470 IAC 3-4.7-16 is the closest verified umbrella state code section. |
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Indiana Licensing Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
Which agency regulates childcare licensing in Indiana?
Childcare licensing in Indiana is regulated by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care. Official licensing information is published at https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/.
How many handbook policy sections does Indiana require?
Indiana requires at least 13 mandatory policy sections in a licensed center's parent handbook, each backed by a specific state regulatory citation.
How often does Indiana inspect licensed childcare centers?
The division (FSSA/OECOSL) and the State Fire Marshal must make annual on-site inspections of each licensed child care center and keep written records of their monitoring (IC 12-17.2-4-15). The licensee must cooperate with announced and unannounced inspections (IC 12-17.2-4-16). The division investigates compliance at a reasonable time, in announced or unannounced visits, through onsite inspections, record reading, observation, and interviewing (IC 12-17.2-4-7). Licenses expire two (2) years after issuance unless revoked, modified to probationary/suspended status, or voluntarily returned (IC 12-17.2-4-12). Custodial parents/guardians may make unscheduled visits at any time the center is in operation (IC 12-17.2-4-17).
What happens if a Indiana center is out of compliance?
General civil penalty: in addition to other penalties under the chapter, the division may impose a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for a violation of the article (IC 12-17.2-4-34); civil penalties are deposited in the division of family resources child care fund (IC 12-17.2-2-3). Safe-sleep escalating per-violation schedule (IC 12-17.2-4-4.1, applied per inspection within a licensure period): 1st inspection = formal warning letter + intent to take action + civil penalty; 2nd = $50 per violation; 3rd = $75 per violation; 4th = license probation up to 6 months + $100 per violation; 5th = license suspended or revoked for 1 year + $250 per violation; failure to pay may result in license revocation for up to 2 years (IC 12-17.2-4-4.1(c)). Operating without a license: civil penalty not to exceed $100 per day in a civil action, plus injunctive relief (IC 12-17.2-4-29); a knowing or intentional violation of the chapter is a Class B misdemeanor (IC 12-17.2-4-35). Additional sanctions: license suspension up to 6 months or revocation (IC 12-17.2-4-33), denial of license (IC 12-17.2-4-10), and emergency/temporary cease-operation order for violations posing an immediate threat to a child's life or well-being (IC 12-17.2-4-18.7).
Indiana childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Indiana administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.