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
Childcare that has no regular pattern
Situation 2
Caring for children related to the provider and from one other family
Situation 3
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:
- How Do I know if My Child Care Provider Needs a License?
- ¿Cómo puedo saber si mi proveedor de cuidado infantil necesita una licencia?
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:
- Family Child Care Homes (Colorado Office of Early Childhood)
- Becoming a Licensed Family Child Care Home Provider (Early Childhood Council of Boulder County)
- Training (Colorado Department of Early Childhood)
- State policies for early childhood education (Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition)
Early Childhood Education Survey
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