How to start a daycare in Alaska.
Alaska Department of Health licenses child care centers in Alaska. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
Opening a child care center in Alaska, step by step
Pick your program type
Choose the type of child care program you plan to run.
Source: Become a Child Care ProviderAttend orientation and pre-service training
If this training is offered within 60 road miles of your site, you must complete it.
Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities LicensingStart in AKCCIS
Begin the licensing process in the Alaska Child Care Information System, called AKCCIS.
Source: Become a Child Care ProviderInclude fire inspection reports
Include each fire safety inspection report your state or city requires.
Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities LicensingInclude your business license
Include a copy of your business license with your application.
Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities LicensingRequest criminal history checks
Send signed releases so the state can check everyone tied to your program.
Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities LicensingWrite a staffing plan
Describe who will work there, their duties and a schedule for supervising children.
Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities LicensingPass the pre-licensing inspection
Complete a pre-licensing inspection before you are licensed.
Source: Become a Child Care Provider
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Alaska Department of Health. Issues child care licenses. The Municipality of Anchorage also issues them.Source: Become a Child Care Provider
- Child care center
- 13 or more childrenSource: 7 AAC 57.990. Definitions.
- License needed for
- 5 or more children who are not your relatives, on a regular basisSource: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing
- Hours
- After 6 a.m. and before 10 p.m., unless nighttime care is approvedSource: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing
- License renewal
- Every two yearsSource: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing
Good to know
- In the Municipality of Anchorage, the Anchorage Health Department runs licensing.Source: Become a Child Care Provider
- Also include reports from any required food, waste, wastewater or drinking water inspections.Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing
Run a program in Alaska? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Alaska
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Alaska licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Alaska
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Alaska
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in Alaska?
The first step: Pick your program type. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Alaska?
Alaska Department of Health. Issues child care licenses. The Municipality of Anchorage also issues them.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in Alaska?
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