How to start a daycare in Idaho.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare licenses child care centers in Idaho. 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 Idaho, step by step

Check local zoning first
Ask your city or county planning and zoning office if local rules could stop you.
Source: Becoming a Child Care Provider
Apply through IdahoSTARS
Send your license application to IdahoSTARS. It processes every state child care license application.
Source: Becoming a Child Care Provider
Clear background checks
Operators, staff and everyone 13 or older who is often on site must clear a background check.
Source: Becoming a Child Care Provider
Send insurance and a fire inspection
Send proof of liability and fire insurance. Add a copy of your approved fire safety inspection.
Source: Becoming a Child Care Provider
Show you meet local rules
Send proof that you follow your city and county rules.
Source: Becoming a Child Care Provider
Send CPR and first aid cards
Send your pediatric rescue breathing, infant and child CPR, and first aid certifications.
Source: Becoming a Child Care Provider
Pass the health inspection
When you are ready, your public health district contacts you to do the health inspection.
Source: Becoming a Child Care Provider
Get your basic daycare license
Once everything is in and you meet the standards, the department issues a basic daycare license.
Source: Idaho Code 39-1106: Issuance of license, renewal

Who licenses centers: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Issues state child care licenses. IdahoSTARS staff collect your papers and help you through the process.Source: Becoming a Child Care Provider
Daycare center: Paid care for 13 or more childrenSource: Idaho Code 39-1102: Definitions
Who needs a license: Care for 7 or more children, with pay for at least oneSource: Becoming a Child Care Provider
Finish applying: Within 6 months, or the application endsSource: Idaho Code 39-1104: Application for license, fire safety and health inspections
License length: Two yearsSource: Idaho Code 39-1106: Issuance of license, renewal
Training: 4 hours every 12 months for each staff memberSource: Becoming a Child Care Provider

Cities and counties may make their own child care rules on top of state law.Source: Becoming a Child Care Provider
Local rules may cover building, electrical, and planning and zoning codes.Source: Becoming a Child Care Provider

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

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

The first step: Check local zoning first. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.

Who licenses child care centers in Idaho?

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Issues state child care licenses. IdahoSTARS staff collect your papers and help you through the process.

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.

Tell us what you run or plan to open. A person on our team answers.