How to start a daycare in Minnesota.
Minnesota Department of Children licenses child care centers in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota, step by step
Apply on the state's forms
Apply on the forms and in the way the commissioner sets.
Source: 142B.10 Application proceduresName your controlling individuals
List all controlling individuals. Name one of them as your authorized agent.
Source: 142B.10 Application proceduresStart background studies
If you apply as an organization, list each controlling individual and when their background study began.
Source: 142B.10 Application proceduresMeet building, fire, health and zoning rules
Show that you meet building, fire, health and zoning rules, or have a waiver.
Source: 142B.10 Application proceduresHave a health consultant review your policies
Get the health consultant's review before licensing. Send it with your application.
Source: 9503.0140 HealthPass the licensing inspection
The commissioner inspects your building, records and documents before issuing a license.
Source: 142B.10 Application proceduresKnow the rules
You must show competent knowledge of the laws and rules that apply to you.
Source: 142B.10 Application procedures
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). You need a license from its commissioner to run a child care center.Source: 142B.05 Who must be licensed
- Health consultant
- Required, to review and certify your health policiesSource: 9503.0140 Health
- Who can be your health consultant
- A physician, a licensed nurse or a community health boardSource: 9503.0005 Definitions
- Serving infants
- The health review happens every monthSource: 9503.0140 Health
- Zoning for 13 to 16 children
- Treated as a multifamily residential useSource: 142B.41 Special conditions for nonresidential programs
- Inspection results
- Posted on the department's websiteSource: 142B.10 Application procedures
Good to know
- Buying a licensed center? You still need to apply for your own license.Source: 142B.10 Application procedures
Run a program in Minnesota? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Minnesota
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Minnesota licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Minnesota
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The first step: Apply on the state's forms. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Minnesota?
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). You need a license from its commissioner to run a child care center.
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 Minnesota?
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