How to start a home daycare in Alabama.
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) oversees home daycares in Alabama. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare Alabama allows
Family day care home
Up to 6 children during the day
A family home that cares for children during the day.
Source: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Family Day Care Homes, Family Nighttime Homes, Group Day Care Homes and Group Nighttime HomesGroup day care home
7 to 12 children
At least 2 adults must be there and supervising.
Source: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Family Day Care Homes, Family Nighttime Homes, Group Day Care Homes and Group Nighttime HomesFamily nighttime home
Up to 6 children at night
A family home that cares for children after 7 p.m.
Source: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Family Day Care Homes, Family Nighttime Homes, Group Day Care Homes and Group Nighttime HomesGroup nighttime home
7 to 12 children at night
At least 2 adults must be there and supervising.
Source: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Family Day Care Homes, Family Nighttime Homes, Group Day Care Homes and Group Nighttime Homes
Starting a home daycare in Alabama, step by step
Contact licensing intake
Call or email Child Care Licensing Intake. They point you to the online system.
Source: Child Care Services Division Licensing ProcessApply online
Send your application in the online system. DHR assigns you a consultant.
Source: Child Care Services Division Licensing ProcessFill out form DHR-CDC-712
Find the application form on the ARISE provider portal. Upload it with its attachments.
Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day/Group Care Home Is LicensedPass a fire inspection
Get a written fire inspection report with no violations cited.
Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day/Group Care Home Is LicensedShow you meet zoning rules
Send a written statement that your home meets local zoning rules.
Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day/Group Care Home Is LicensedComplete background checks
You and each adult who lives in your home need a criminal history check.
Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day/Group Care Home Is LicensedGet medical exams
You and everyone who lives in your home need a medical exam report with a TB test.
Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day/Group Care Home Is LicensedHave your pre-licensing visit
Once your consultant has every required item, they set up a visit to your site.
Source: Child Care Services Division Licensing Process
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division. Licenses day care homes and nighttime homes.Source: Licensing Overview
- Education
- A high school diploma or GEDSource: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day/Group Care Home Is Licensed
- Training
- At least 24 clock hours in child care and developmentSource: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day/Group Care Home Is Licensed
- CPR and first aid
- Current certificates for bothSource: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day/Group Care Home Is Licensed
- Your own children
- Those under school age count when they are homeSource: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Family Day Care Homes, Family Nighttime Homes, Group Day Care Homes and Group Nighttime Homes
Good to know
- A home needs a license to care for even 1 child who is not related to you. This covers care over 4 hours a day.Source: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Family Day Care Homes, Family Nighttime Homes, Group Day Care Homes and Group Nighttime Homes
- If you rent your home, you need written permission from the owner.Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day/Group Care Home Is Licensed
- Staff need a background check before they are hired. They need a new one at least every 5 years.Source: Instructions for Child Care Licensing Comprehensive Background Checks
- A license application cannot move to another person or another location.Source: Licensing Process
Run a program in Alabama? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Alabama
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Alabama licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Alabama
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Alabama
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 home daycare in Alabama?
The first step: Contact licensing intake. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Alabama?
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division. Licenses day care homes and nighttime homes.
How many children can a home daycare in Alabama care for?
Family day care home: Up to 6 children during the day. Group day care home: 7 to 12 children. Family nighttime home: Up to 6 children at night. Group nighttime home: 7 to 12 children at night.
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.
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