How to start a daycare in Texas.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission licenses child care centers in Texas. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.

Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.

  • 9,600

    Licensed center programs

    1,130,177 spots

  • 666

    New centers

    Still on a first permit

  • 51

    Licensed spots per 100 children under 5

    Centers and home daycares

  • 1,992,611

    Children under 5

    The Census Bureau's estimate

Opening a child care center in Texas, step by step

  1. Attend a Licensed Center Orientation Class

    Sign up for the orientation class. It explains the application process.

    Source: Become a Child Care Center-Based Provider

  2. Check local rules for your building

    Your area may have zoning, building code or homeowner association rules for the location.

    Source: Become a Child Care Center-Based Provider

  3. Write your Plan of Operation

    Write a Plan of Operation with your policies and procedures. It is part of the application.

    Source: Become a Child Care Center-Based Provider

  4. Send in your application

    Send the application form and other required forms to your local Child Care Regulation office.

    Source: Become a Child Care Center-Based Provider

  5. Finish background checks

    Certain people at the center need background checks. These may include FBI and abuse registry checks.

    Source: Become a Child Care Center-Based Provider

  6. Get liability insurance

    Show proof of liability insurance. The state needs it before it issues your permit.

    Source: Become a Child Care Center-Based Provider

  7. Pass the inspection

    After you apply, state staff inspect your center against the minimum standards.

    Source: Become a Child Care Center-Based Provider

  8. Get your initial license

    Once your center meets the minimum standards, the state issues you an initial license.

    Source: Become a Child Care Center-Based Provider

At a glance

Who licenses centers
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation. Regulates child care offered in centers and in homes.Source: Become a Child Care Center-Based Provider
Application form
Form 2910Source: Become a Child Care Center-Based Provider
Children in care
7 or more, ages 13 or youngerSource: What are the Types of Child Care Operations?

Good to know

Where Texas has the fewest licensed spots per child

Licensed spots per 100 children under 5, lowest first, among counties with 20 or more center programs.

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

Plan your program

Questions, answered

How do I start a daycare in Texas?

The first step: Attend a Licensed Center Orientation Class. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.

Who licenses child care centers in Texas?

Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation. Regulates child care offered in centers and in homes.

How many licensed daycares are in Texas?

9,600 licensed center programs and 3,320 home daycares, as of November 3, 2026.

About this page

Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.

Every license count here comes from the state's license file, read November 3, 2026. Children under 5 are the Census Bureau's estimates.

This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.

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