How to start a daycare in District of Columbia.
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) licenses child care centers in District of Columbia. 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 District of Columbia, step by step
Complete the orientation and quiz
Complete the licensing orientation and quiz for a child development center.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCGet a Certificate of Occupancy
Get a Certificate of Occupancy for your site.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCPass a fire safety inspection
Get a fire safety inspection from Fire and Emergency Medical Services, called FEMS.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCGet a lead certification
Get a lead certification for your building.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCGet a Clean Hands Certificate
Get a Clean Hands Certificate before you apply.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCGet insurance
Get liability insurance and molestation and abuse insurance. Centers also need umbrella coverage.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCApply to OSSE
Fill out the child care licensing application and send it to OSSE.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCPass the inspections and validation visit
After your inspections, the licensing specialist and program manager make a final visit, called a validation visit.
Source: Licensing Process for Child Care Providers
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of Early Learning. Licenses every child development facility in DC, centers and homes alike.Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DC
- Child development center
- More than 12 children, not in the operator's homeSource: Licensing Orientation for New Child Development Centers
- License length
- Three years, then you renewSource: Licensing Process for Child Care Providers
- Orientation certificate
- From an OSSE orientation in the last 12 monthsSource: Licensing and Compliance
- Background checks
- Fingerprints and a criminal history check for staff, through OSSESource: Licensing Orientation for New Child Development Centers
- Problems found
- Listed on a Statement of Deficiency for you to fixSource: Licensing Process for Child Care Providers
Good to know
- Almost all child care programs in DC need a license. OSSE lists the programs that do not.Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DC
Run a program in District of Columbia? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in District of Columbia
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- District of Columbia licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in District of Columbia
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The first step: Complete the orientation and quiz. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in District of Columbia?
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of Early Learning. Licenses every child development facility in DC, centers and homes alike.
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 District of Columbia?
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