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As you begin the journey to making a difference in the lives of Indiana’s children, Child Care Answers is here to guide you through the process of starting your child care ministry. You have a number of options to consider when opening a ministry, which each include separate requirements. We’re here to hold your hand, every step of the way.
In order to be registered with the state of Indiana as a child care ministry, you must complete the following trainings. You will register for all trainings in Indiana Learning Paths, which you can access through the I-LEAD portal. All of these courses are available online 24/7 and some Orientation classes may be available in a face-to-face or live-virtual format.
Although not required to be registered, we highly recommend that you join one of our free emerging child care provider support groups. These cohorts are based on the individual needs of the people in your group, and we meet monthly.
We discuss resources for funding, food programs, furniture and materials, and professional development. We also bring in experts so you have an opportunity to ask questions. Presenters may include licensing consultants, current providers, marketing specialists, tax accountants, or attorneys.
You will learn more in Orientation II about what is required for an unlicensed registered child care ministry for building and zoning codes. You will also need to check with your local municipality. Prior to opening an unlicensed registered ministry, the building must pass on-site inspections for sanitation requirements and fire codes.
The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) mandates child care ministry rules and regulations and the application process from a state perspective. This includes requirements such as fingerprinting and drug testing for all staff. You’ll also need to ensure you abide by local regulations for your county, city, or town.
Although not required, our program engagement specialists can do a walkthrough of your ministry before your Voluntary Certification Program inspection. We can provide guidance on:
The application for unlicensed registered child care ministires includes items such as attestation forms stating your program represents the religious organization responsible for the ministry, IRS documentation, and other checks. You will learn more in your Orientation II class, but we are happy to offer free support as you are pulling together the information needed for your application. When you are ready, you will submit your licensing application in I-LEAD.
This video from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security highlights the paperwork you'll need to keep on file for your fire marshall inspection. You'll also learn some of the main violations that inspectors look for.