How to start a daycare in Louisiana.

Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) licenses child care centers in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana, step by step

Find a building that meets the rules
Pick a building that meets Bulletin 137 and State Fire Marshal and health rules.
Source: Initial Licensure Checklist
Check for lead hazards
A site that opens on or after August 1, 2026 must find and address lead hazards first.
Source: Initial Licensure Checklist
Get liability insurance
Get commercial liability insurance that includes medical coverage.
Source: Initial Licensure Checklist
Request fire and health inspections
Ask the Office of State Fire Marshal and the Department of Health to inspect.
Source: Initial Licensure Checklist
Find a qualified director
Your center needs a qualified director on site at least 32 hours a week.
Source: Initial Licensure Checklist
Get background checks
Each owner, director and director designee needs a child care criminal background check.
Source: Initial Licensure Checklist
Apply in EdLink
Submit your Application for Licensure online in EdLink.
Source: Initial Licensure Checklist
Set up your licensing inspection
Once your application is complete, you have 45 days to set up an on-site inspection.
Source: Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 28, Part CLXI: Bulletin 137, Louisiana Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations

Who licenses centers: Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Division of Licensing. Must approve a center before it starts operating.Source: Initial Licensure Checklist
Child day care center: 7 or more children not related to you, 12.5 or more hours a weekSource: RS 17:407.33 Definitions
Before you open: Your center must be licensedSource: Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 28, Part CLXI: Bulletin 137, Louisiana Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations
License types: Type I, Type II and Type IIISource: RS 17:407.33 Definitions
Type III: For centers that get state or federal funds beyond food programsSource: Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 28, Part CLXI: Bulletin 137, Louisiana Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations
Inspections: At least once a year, without noticeSource: Child Care Facility Licensing

Caring for 7 or more unrelated children, even at home, makes you a child day care center. That needs a license.Source: RS 17:407.33 Definitions
Some places also require zoning approval, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Monroe.Source: Initial Licensure Checklist
Centers in the New Orleans area also need city fire department approval.Source: Initial Licensure Checklist

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

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

The first step: Find a building that meets the rules. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.

Who licenses child care centers in Louisiana?

Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Division of Licensing. Must approve a center before it starts operating.

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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