Build Capacity in Child Care Programs

Child Care Provider

Business and Employer Resources Opening and Running a Child Care Business

Take steps to provide quality care for more children

There are a lot of questions about child care in Indiana, but we know one thing: we need more high quality child care seats to serve Indiana’s children. As a child care provider or business owner, there are a number of ways that you can do your part and expand your business as well.

Build Capacity in

Family Child Care Homes

Class I family child care home providers have a capacity limit of 12 children who are not related to them. If you have the ability and desire to increase your capacity to 16 children, consider applying for a Class II license.

Learn more about the rules for Class II homes, and then contact your licensing consultant to inquire about eligibility and next steps.

Before your inspection, contact us in English or Spanish for a free onsite or virtual mock inspection.

Build capacity in

Centers and Ministries

Centers and ministries both have a wide number of opportunities to expand the number of children in their care. You might consider opening a new classroom, adding on to your building, or making improvements to an existing building to qualify for increased capacity. Connect with your consultant to understand the requirements and complexities involved.

If you’re looking for a little extra support before your inspection, we’re here to help! Contact us in English or Spanish for a free onsite or virtual mock inspection.

Build capacity in

Public or private schools

If you’re an administrator at a public or private K-12 school, you might consider expanding into pre-K. In order to be eligible to accept voucher funding, you must complete the Provider Eligibility Standards for CCDF. You might also consider applying to be a provider of the On My Way Pre-K program, which offers scholarships to Indiana four-year-olds in low-income families.

Need a little hand-holding to make this leap? We’re happy to provide free assistance, whether it’s just a chat to explore the idea or someone to do a mock inspection when you’re ready to open. Let us know in English or Spanish.

We should ensure that everyone has a quality pre-K learning environment for their children. However, we need also to increase access to the early learning centers and provide the resources for parents to make informed decisions about where they send their children. Indeed, we have lots of work to do. However, I honestly believe we are headed in the right direction, but our work is not complete until every child, everywhere, asks for access to quality pre-K.

Dr. John Kuykendall

Associate Professor & Dean at the University of Indianapolis, School of Education

Find, hire, and onboard staff

Whether you own a family child care home with one other caregiver or manage a staff of dozens in a child care center, it’s important to consider how staffing affects your program, and ultimately, the children you serve. These resources will help you consider everything from finding the right staff, to hiring, to onboarding, and then retaining the staff you currently have.