1. Check if you meet FCC licensing requirements

Review these basic requirements before starting your Family Child Care (FCC) provider license application.

Child care experience

You must be at least 18 years old and meet at least 1 of the following qualifications:

• 1 year of experience as a parent
• 1 year of full-time experience caring for children under 12 years old
• 6 months of full-time experience caring for children under 12 years old and 30 hours of Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)-approved training
• 9 months of full-time experience caring for children younger than 14 years old and 15 hours of EEC-approved training
• EEC teacher, lead teacher, or director certification

Note: Babysitting does not count as child care experience.

Certifications

To ensure the health and safety of your program, you will also need:

• First aid and infant and child CPR certification
• Confirmation from a healthcare professional that you're in good physical and mental health to care for children

Review first aid and infant and child CPR certification requirements

Download the Family Child Care Medical Form

Indoor and outdoor space

When considering if your home is a good fit for in-home child care, top requirements include:

• Your space must be a private residence
  FCC programs can open in a house, apartment, or condo.
• You must have permission to use the space for child care
  If you rent, you must have permission from your landlord. If you are part of a homeowner's association (HOA) or condo association, you may need their approval.
• Your space must have 2 separate exits
  The space you plan to use for child care must have at least 2 separate exits free of any hazards.
• You must have enough indoor and outdoor space
  Exact space requirements depend on your licensed capacity. Children who live with you or children who visit your home during child care hours may count toward your licensed capacity. You need at least:
  • Indoor space: 35 square feet per child
  • Outdoor space: 75 square feet per child
• Your outdoor space must be free of hazards
  Examples of hazards include busy streets, poisonous plants, bodies of water, pools, or dangerous machinery. If there are hazards in your outdoor space, you must have an enclosed area for child care.

You can find a full list of space requirements in this downloadable checklist and in Step 5: Prepare your space for child care.

EEC background record checks

You must complete a background record check (BRC) as part of your application. All household members and frequent visitors 15 years or older must also complete a BRC. This includes anyone who:

• Lives in your home. It doesn't matter if they help with child care or are present during child care hours.
• Frequently and predictably visits your home. This can include a family member, house cleaner, or friend.
• Helps run your program. It doesn't matter if they're paid, unpaid, or occasionally helping.

Learn more about what's included in the background check process in Step 4: Complete your FCC background record check.