Do you need a child care license?

A child is creating a brightly-colored drawing with markers

Do you need a child care license?

In Colorado, if you regularly care for children who are not your own, you may need a license. This page will help you determine if you do. If so, it also offers information on licensing (including training), background checks and Colorado’s safety and care standards.

Three types of child care do not require a license

Situation 1 illustration of a calendar

Childcare that has no regular pattern

Situation 2 an illustration shows two adults, a child and an infant

Caring for children related to the provider and from one other family

Situation 3 An illustration shows three children sitting on the floor and a fourth standing with their hands raised

Care for up to four children, regardless of their relationship to the provider or each other, provided that no more than two children are under age 2. (The total of four children includes the provider’s own children.)

Any situation that differs from these situations will require a license. Colorado’s licensing rules are designed to keep children safe. The Colorado Department of Early Childhood offers these two resources:

Support and Training for Those Needing a License

In Colorado, childcare providers must fulfill specific licensing and registration requirements to ensure high standards of safety, quality, and professional care. This process includes completing pre-service and orientation training, adhering to annual training requirements, and undergoing background checks and inspections. These requirements, detailed in Colorado Revised Statutes and Child Care Facility Licensing Rules, are essential for ensuring safe, nurturing, and educational environments for children.

Resources and information about licensing and registration required to become a formal provider are provided below:

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