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Child Care Licensing and Regulations

Child Care Provider
Health and Safety Opening and Running a Child Care Business

Understand regulations for your child care business

While your heart is with children, administering child care licensing and regulations for your program is also crucial. You should continually work to ensure you child care business operates within state and local guidelines for safety and stability. Although the requirements vary depending on the type of care you provide, these resources can give you a place to start to understand what to do or who to contact.

Rules and Policies

Indiana State Regulations

The Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning establishes rules and guidelines for child cares that participate in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), as well as additional requirements based on child care type.

All child care providers (including all applicants, staff, and volunteers) are required to get a national criminal history check. You must go through OECOSL’s preferred provider, IdentoGO, for fingerprinting. Learn more…

Staff and household members may also be required to complete a drug screen. Rule of thumb – screenings need to be dated within 60 days of submitting your licensing application. Find a testing facility near you.

 

early childhood education
Laws and Rules

Child Care Homes

  • Regulations
  • Rules for Child Care Homes
  • Rules for Infant and Toddler Services in a Child Care Home
  • Rules for Class II Child Care Homes
  • Rules for Temporary Closure
  • Interpretive Guide
  • Interpretive Guide Changes
Laws and Rules

Ministries

  • Regulations
  • 2020 Legislation changes
  • Rules for Registered Day Care Ministries
  • Retail Food Establishment Sanitation Requirements
  • Intepretive Guide for Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministries
  • Interpretive Guide for Voluntary Certification Program
  • Voluntary Certification Program standards
child care center
Laws and Rules

Child Care Centers

  • Regulations
  • Licensing Rules
  • Rules for Temporary Closure
  • Retail Food Establishment Sanitation Requirements
  • Interpretive Guide
clock
Requirements and Rules

School Age Care

  • Requirements for School Age Child Care Project Fund
  • Rules for School Age Programs
licensing consultant

Contact your licensing consultant

If you have specific questions about any of these requirements, contact your licensing consultant. Not sure who your consultant is? Contact us and we'll help you find out.
Licensing Consultants
Featured Resource

CPR and First Aid Resources

Staying up to date on your CPR certifications is an important health and safety requirement for child care businesses. Looking for a place to update your training? Check out this list of local organizations.
View PDF Download
cpr thumbnail

Local Zoning and Permit Requirements

Check with your local zoning board to ensure that your program meets all the necessary requirements for your county, city, or town.

All CCDF programs must also provide documentation that their program is legally allowed to operate as a business in the county, city, or town in which the program is located. The Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning requires the following you apply for or renew your license:

  • Provide proof of the business permit or business license to the OECOSL OR
  • Provide a signed statement from the county, city, or town stating that a business permit or business license is not required for their program to operate be submitted

Zoning and permit requirements by county

See below for contacts for local child care permits.

Indianapolis does not require a business permit or license. However, many of Marion County’s other incorporated cities and towns do. See below for specifics for your city or town.

Beech Grove

  • Requires a vendor permit. Cost is $50.
  • 317.788.4977
  • buildingcommissioner@beechgrove.com

Indianapolis

  • Does NOT require a general business license. For certain businesses outlined in Title IV of the Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County, the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services does provide licensure services. All providers must follow all zoning standards outlined in Chapter 740 of the Revised Code.
  • 317.327.4316
  • licensing@indy.gov

Lawrence

  • Requires a child care permit. Annual cost is $20.
  • 317.545.5566

Southport

  • Under review
  • 317.786.3585

Speedway

  • Child care providers require a business license.
  • 317.246.4112
  • sadams@speedway.in.gov

Most cities and towns in Hamilton County do not require a business permit or license. However, some do. See below for specifics for your city or town, or contact the Hamilton County Planning Department at 317.776.8490 or planning.dept@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.

Arcadia

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license.
  • 317.695.1892
  • tracey.million@arcadia.in.gov

Carmel

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license.
  • 317.571.2417
  • vmusunuri@carmel.in.gov

Cicero

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license.
  • 317.984.5845
  • ctaylor@townofcicero.in.gov

Fishers

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license.
  • 317.595.3422
  • stottsk@fishers.in.us

Noblesville

  • Non-residential settings must have a certificate of occupancy on file. Residential settings (homes) are required to complete the home occupation permit each year. Cost is $40.
  • 317.773.4614
  • administrator@noblesville.in.us

Sheridan

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license.
  • 317.758.5293
  • David Kincaid

Westfield

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license.
  • Email community@westfield.in.gov to obtain letter.
  • 317.804.3170

Most cities and towns in Hendricks County do not require a business permit or license. However, some do. See below for specifics for your city or town.

Avon

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license.
  • 317.272.0948
  • jdickey@avongov.org

Brownsburg

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license. Child care centers are only allowed in specific zoning districts as a permitted use or special exception. Child care homes are allowed in any residential district in full compliance with Indiana Code.
  • 317.852.1120
  • townmanager@brownsburg.org

Clayton

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license. Contact Administration & Public Affairs of Hendricks County for letter.
  • 317.539.2333
  • slattery@ameritech.net

Danville

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license. Contact city office for letter.
    317.745.4180 x1101
    lparker@danvilleindiana.org

Lizton

  • Under review
  • 317.994.5500
  • ltownhall@gmail.com

North Salem

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license.
  • 765.676.6210
  • info@north-salem.com

Pittsboro

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license.
  • 317.892.7661
  • sdmaple@live.com

Plainfield

  • Does NOT require a business permit or license.
  • 317.852.2245
Featured Resource

Fire Department Notification for Homes

Use this fillable PDF to populate information about your child care and then send to your local fire department.
View PDF Download
fire department thumbnail
cacfp rules

Food Program Rules & Regulations

Child care providers who choose to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) must also follow certain policies and regulations.
Learn More
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Count on our newsletters to get you the most important early care and education news, when you need it. We send a different newsletter each month to either families, child care professionals, or communities/employers. Sign up for one or all today!
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Phone: 317.636.5727 Toll Free: 800.272.2937
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