Open a Child Care Business

Child Care Provider

Business & Employer Resources Opening a Child Care Business Professional Development

Becoming a Child Care Provider

You know one thing – you have a passion for children and want to make a career of it. We’re here to help you figure out what comes next.

First: determine the type of care you want to provide

In Indiana, you can provide quality care through a number of different avenues. The Orientation I course will introduce you to those different types of care and will help you determine if you’re ready for the responsibilities of running a child care. The course provides the information you need to get on the right path for you and the children you plan to serve. This includes:

Health and safety information
The basics of building a child care business
Resources to help you make the decision of which type of care you would like to provide

Completion of Orientation I is required for those planning to open a licensed home or center in Indiana. It is strongly encouraged, although not required, for those opening an unlicensed registered ministry. Online Orientation I trainings are available 24/7 on I-LEAD through Indiana Learning Paths.

How to Register Español

Next: build your skills to become the best provider in your chosen care type

Once you determine whether you want to open a licensed child care home, a licensed center, or an unlicensed registered ministry, your path will be slightly different. A number of courses are available through I-LEAD to help you on your road to success.

Provider Options

Licensed Family Child Care Home

A licensed child care home is a residential structure in which at least six children at any time receive child care from a provider:

While unattended by a parent, legal guardian, or custodian
For regular compensation; and
For more than four hours but less than twenty-four hours in each of ten consecutive days per year, excluding intervening Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

The number of children listed above does not include the children for whom the provider is a parent, stepparent, guardian, custodian, or other relative.

Provider Options

Licensed Centers

A licensed child care center is a nonresidential building where at least one child receives child care:

While unattended by a parent, legal guardian, or custodian;
For regular compensation; and
For more than four hours but less than twenty-four hours in each of ten consecutive days per year, excluding intervening Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Provider Options

Unlicensed Registered Ministry

Although child care ministries are not required to be licensed, they must register with the state of Indiana and meet a minimum set of criteria. Child care ministries can also participate in the Voluntary Certification Program (VCP). The VCP is available to all Indiana unlicensed registered child care ministry providers who want to ensure that they are meeting all basic health and safety needs of the children they serve.

Knowing that there was an opportunity to have an advocate, or someone that could kind of navigate me through the steps and processes of what needed to be done in order to obtain my license...for me, it was being able to make that bridge and those connections - that was really important to me.

Terika

New Child Care Business Owner

https://childcareanswers.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/780-x-500-Featured-Video-4-1.png

Join a Free Support Group

Child Care Answers offers free support groups for those interested in opening a child care business. Why should you join? Hear it straight from the source - these women are newly licensed, thanks to the support they received from Child Care Answers' emerging provider support groups.

In these groups, you can hear from guest speakers on business topics, owning a child care, and licensing; support each other; and, get resources for getting up and running.

Featured Resource

Support for New Child Care Providers

Child Care Answers offers a number of free services for those interested in opening their own child care business, including emerging provider learning communities, onsite or virtual inspection support, and I-LEAD and Application Support.

We grow with your program

Our team of program specialists are in your corner, every step of the way. If you need help starting a new program, navigating the I-LEAD online licensing portal, or building your child care business, call on one of these caring experts. Fill out our Provider Information Form in English or Spanish or call 317.636.5727 and press 3 or 4 to get connected.