How to start a daycare in Wyoming.
Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) licenses child care centers in Wyoming. 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 Wyoming, step by step
Get fire, sanitation and zoning approvals
Get inspections or approvals from fire, sanitation and zoning officials where they are required.
Source: Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2: Licensing Process (April 2026)Finish pre-service training
Every new director and staff member takes pre-service training.
Source: Child Care: Licensed Child Care ProvidersClear background checks
Providers, directors, staff, volunteers and substitutes all need background checks.
Source: Child Care: Licensed Child Care ProvidersList your owners and board
List your board members, owners and shareholders, with their contact information.
Source: Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2: Licensing Process (April 2026)Send your application
Send a complete, signed and dated application. Send the required items with it or within 30 days.
Source: Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2: Licensing Process (April 2026)Pass the scheduled inspection
A licenser does a scheduled inspection of your facility after you apply.
Source: Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2: Licensing Process (April 2026)Get your license
The licenser issues a one-year license or a provisional license, or denies the application.
Source: Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2: Licensing Process (April 2026)
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), Child Care Licensing. The certifying authority. It issues certificates, makes inspections and enforces the standards.Source: Wyoming Statutes Title 14: Children
- Child care center
- 16 or more children, with enough staff to meet ratiosSource: Child Care: Licensed Child Care Providers
- Licensing visits
- At least one announced and one unannounced visit each yearSource: Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2: Licensing Process (April 2026)
- Other inspections
- Fire, food safety and health inspections every yearSource: Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2: Licensing Process (April 2026)
- Ongoing training
- At least 12 training credits a year for caregiversSource: Child Care: Licensed Child Care Providers
- Provisional license
- Up to 6 monthsSource: Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2: Licensing Process (April 2026)
Good to know
- A child care facility that is not exempt must be licensed before it cares for any child.Source: Wyoming Statutes Title 14: Children
- Your town or county may require more inspections.Source: Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2: Licensing Process (April 2026)
Run a program in Wyoming? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Wyoming
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Wyoming licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Wyoming
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Wyoming
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 Wyoming?
The first step: Get fire, sanitation and zoning approvals. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Wyoming?
Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), Child Care Licensing. The certifying authority. It issues certificates, makes inspections and enforces the standards.
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 Wyoming?
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