How to start a daycare in Arkansas.

Arkansas Department of Education licenses child care centers in Arkansas. 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 Arkansas, step by step

Call Child Care Licensing
Call the Child Care Licensing main office to start.
Source: Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a Child Care License
Take the pre-licensing class
Licensing staff connect you with your area specialist. They explain how to schedule the required class.
Source: Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a Child Care License
Meet your licensing specialist
Talk through your plans with your area specialist. Together you decide if you are ready to apply.
Source: Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a Child Care License
Get fire, health and zoning approvals
Your application needs fire department, health department and zoning approvals.
Source: Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers
Start background checks
Start criminal record and child maltreatment registry checks for all owners and staff.
Source: Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers
Get liability insurance
Show your licensing specialist proof of child care liability insurance before approval.
Source: Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers
Apply online
Send a complete, signed application online once you are within 60 days of opening.
Source: Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a Child Care License
Pass the walk-through
Your specialist walks through the building and grounds to check for hazards to children.
Source: Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a Child Care License

Who licenses centers: Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC). Its Licensing Unit enforces the Child Care Licensing Act for homes and centers.Source: Child Care Licensing
Licensed child care center: 6 or more children from more than 1 familySource: Child Care Licensing
Short programs: Programs open less than 10 hours a week are exemptSource: Child Care Licensing
Budget plan: New centers send a proposed budgetSource: Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers
First license: New provisional, with more frequent visitsSource: Licensing 101: Six Critical Areas of Compliance
Visits after that: At least 3 a year for a full-year programSource: Licensing 101: Six Critical Areas of Compliance

Your specialist can review plans, visit possible sites and explain how to get approvals.Source: Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a Child Care License
A boiler inspection must be scheduled with the Department of Labor. This includes water heaters.Source: Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a Child Care License
Programs for school-age children only follow separate out-of-school-time rules.Source: Child Care Licensing

Run a program in Arkansas? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works

How to start a home daycare in Arkansas
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
Arkansas licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
Child care grants in Arkansas
Grants the state runs for providers.
Daycare startup costs in Arkansas
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.

How do I start a daycare in Arkansas?

The first step: Call Child Care Licensing. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.

Who licenses child care centers in Arkansas?

Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC). Its Licensing Unit enforces the Child Care Licensing Act for homes and centers.

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.

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