lICENSING

Do I Need a Child Care License?

Click the button below to determine if the child care you provide in your home requires a Colorado child care license.
Do I need a license?

Steps to Becoming a Licensed Home Child Care Provider

  1. Print a Licensing Application Packet from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. Read page six titled "Instructions forCompleting the Application Packet" to see an overview of the process. Read through the three Rule Sections that apply to home providers: 7.701 (GeneralRules for Child Care Facilities), 7.707 (Rules Regulating Family Child CareHomes) and 7.719 (Rules Regulating Special Activities).
  2. Contact your local entities to make sure you are complying with local zoningcodes, ordinances, homeowner's associations, etc.
  3. Complete the application and submit it online via the CDEC Provider Hub or mail it to CO Division of Early Care and Learning with the payment fee. Detailed instructions on everything that must be included in your application are explained on the sheet called Instructions for Completing the Application Packet.
    ‍Can be done before or after Step 4 .
  4. Sign up to take the required trainings (see Required Trainings on back of this page). This can often take time and planning because it depends on the availability of these trainings in your area. You should be very close to completing all the trainings before your Initial Licensing Visit.
    Can be done before or after Step 3.
  5. Continue to attend required trainings & ask the early childhood council about child care grant opportunities to assist with licensing costs.
  6. A Licensing Specialist will conduct an "Initial Licensing Visit" at your home 60-90 days after your license application is submitted. The exact time will be a surprise, but you will be notified to expect one within a certain range of days.
  7. Complete the required trainings. You should have all trainings completed by the time of your initial licensing visit.
CKLECC can support your licensing journey in many ways:
Stipends, Scholarships, Trainings and More!
Contact Julie Witt, CKLECC Coordinator at 719-775-8622
or email Julie.cklecc@gmail.com

Pre-Licensing

(15 Hours, usually split into 2 days)
Required: Before license is issued
Renew: Never
Find It: Offered in-person by CKLECC (FREE once PDIS training iscomplete), or from approved training vendors

Medication Administration

(4 hours)
Required: Before license is issued
Renew: Every 3 years
Find It: Offered in-person by CKLECC; Part I is free online via PDIS

Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome & Use of Safe SleepPractices

Required: Before license is issued
Renew: Annually
Find It: Offered free online via PDIS or from approved training vendors

Child Care and Preschool Immunizations

Required: Before license is issued
Renew: Annually
Find It: Offered free online via PDIS

Recognition & Reporting of Child Abuse & Neglect

Required: Before license is issued
Renew: Annually
Find It: Offered free online via PDIS and local County Department of Human Services

Introduction to the Early Intervention and preschool Special Education Programs

Required: Within 90 Calendar Days of Caring for Children
Renew: One Time
Find It: Offered free online via PDIS

Recognizing the Impact of Bias on Early Childhood Professionals

Required: Within 90 Calendar Days of Caring for Children
Renew: One Time
Find It: Offered free online via PDIS

Standard Precautions w/ Prevention and Control of InfectiousDisease and Immunization

(1.5 Hours)
Required: Before license is issued
Renew: Annually
Find It: Offered in-person by CKLECC, or offered on line via PDIS.

Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome & Abusive Head Trauma

Required: Before license is issued
Renew: Every 2 years
Find It: Offered free online via PDIS or from approved training vendors

Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response

Required: Before license is issued
Renew: One Time
Find It: Offered free online via PDIS

CPR & First Aid Certification

Required: Before license is issued
Renew: As listed on certificate
Find It: Offered through approved training vendors (with assistance from CKLECC)

Playground Safety for Homes

Required: Within 30 Calendar Days of Caring for Children
Renew: One Time
Find It: Offered free online via PDIS

Injury Prevention for Homes

Required: Within 90 Calendar Days of Caring for Children
Renew: One Time
Find It: Offered free online via PDIS

Working with an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Required: Within 90 Calendar Days of Caring for Children
Renew: One Time
Find It: Offered free online via PDIS

FAQ

  • How much space must I have in my home for each child? You must have 35 square feet of indoor play space and 75 square feet of outdoor space per child.
  • Must I have a fenced-in yard? Yes. Fences (or another natural barrier, such a thick hedge) must be at least 42 inches high.
  • Can I become licensed if I live in an apartment? Yes, as long as you have the required square footage and meet the requirements for the outdoor play space and other safety standards.
  • Once licensed, are there other trainings I must take? Once licensed, you must complete 15 hours of professionaldevelopment per year. Trainings are available through a variety of agencies, and now online through PDIS. Subjects include:nutrition, health & safety, guidance, etc.
  • How much money does a Home Child Care program make? Daily rates depend on regional need.
Register for your FREE PDIS Account Here:
www.coloradoshinespdis.com/login
More Questions?
Contact Julie Witt, CKLECC Coordinator at 719-775-8622 or email Julie.cklecc@gmail.com
For more information on how to become a licensed home child care provider and to review state rules and regulations visit the Colorado Office of Early Childhood website.

Contact CKLECC to arrange assistance with the required training and to find out more about Child Care Mini Grants that are available to assist with cost!