How to start a daycare in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) licenses child care centers in Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma, step by step
Contact your county licensing specialist
Contact the child care licensing specialist at your county Oklahoma Human Services office.
Source: Frequently Asked Questions for Providers or ParentsContact your resource and referral agency
Your local child care resource and referral agency can help with training and support.
Source: Frequently Asked Questions for Providers or ParentsCheck city license and zoning
Some cities and towns also require a local city license or zoning approval.
Source: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and ResponsibilitiesSubmit your request for license
Send a completed request for license to your licensing staff. You are then on application status.
Source: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and ResponsibilitiesHave the on-site visit
Licensing staff visit to check that your program meets all the minimum requirements.
Source: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and ResponsibilitiesGet background checks
Get the background checks that licensing requires.
Source: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and ResponsibilitiesGet fire and health approvals
Local fire and health officials approve your program, when that applies.
Source: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and ResponsibilitiesGet a six-month permit
Most programs get a six-month permit once they meet the minimum requirements.
Source: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and Responsibilities
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS), Child Care Services. Licenses anyone who provides child care on a regular basis.Source: Frequently Asked Questions for Providers or Parents
- Child care center
- A program open 30 or more hours a weekSource: Licensing Requirements for Child Care Programs
- During the permit
- At least 3 unannounced visits from licensing staffSource: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and Responsibilities
- To get a license
- At least 3 monitoring visits, all required training and meeting the rulesSource: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and Responsibilities
- License length
- It does not expireSource: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and Responsibilities
Good to know
- A license does not pass to a new owner. A new owner must apply for a new license.Source: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and Responsibilities
- Licensing staff keep visiting after you are licensed, at different times of day.Source: Understanding the Licensing Process: Rights and Responsibilities
Run a program in Oklahoma? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Oklahoma
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Oklahoma licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Oklahoma
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma?
The first step: Contact your county licensing specialist. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS), Child Care Services. Licenses anyone who provides child care on a regular basis.
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 Oklahoma?
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