How to start a home daycare in Alaska.

Alaska Department of Health oversees home daycares in Alaska. 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 Alaska allows

Child care home
No more than 8 children
Care usually takes place in an occupied home.
Source: 7 AAC 57.990. Definitions.
Child care group home
9 to 12 children
It is the larger home program, usually in an occupied home.
Source: 7 AAC 57.990. Definitions.

Pick your program type
Choose the type of child care program you plan to run.
Source: Become a Child Care Provider
Attend orientation and pre-service training
If this training is offered within 60 road miles of your site, you must complete it.
Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing
Start in AKCCIS
Begin the licensing process in the Alaska Child Care Information System, called AKCCIS.
Source: Become a Child Care Provider
List your household
List every member of your household on the application, with each one's age.
Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing
Request criminal history checks
Send signed releases so the state can check everyone tied to your program.
Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing
Include fire inspection reports
Include each fire safety inspection report your state or city requires.
Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing
Get your home ready
Prepare your home to meet the licensing health and safety standards.
Source: Become a Child Care Provider
Pass the pre-licensing inspection
Complete a pre-licensing inspection before you are licensed.
Source: Become a Child Care Provider

Who oversees home daycares: Alaska Department of Health. Issues child care licenses. The Municipality of Anchorage also issues them.Source: Become a Child Care Provider
No license needed for: Up to 4 children who are not related to youSource: Become a Child Care Provider
Told to get a license: You may keep caring for children up to 30 days, with approvalSource: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing
Hours: After 6 a.m. and before 10 p.m., unless nighttime care is approvedSource: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing
License renewal: Every two yearsSource: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing

In the Municipality of Anchorage, the Anchorage Health Department runs licensing.Source: Become a Child Care Provider
Only the State of Alaska licenses child care group homes.Source: Become a Child Care Provider
Also include reports from any required food, waste, wastewater or drinking water inspections.Source: 7 AAC 57.010 to 7 AAC 57.250: Child Care Facilities Licensing

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

How to start a daycare in Alaska
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
Alaska licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
Child care grants in Alaska
Grants the state runs for providers.
Daycare startup costs in Alaska
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.

How do I start a home daycare in Alaska?

The first step: Pick your program type. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.

Who oversees home daycares in Alaska?

Alaska Department of Health. Issues child care licenses. The Municipality of Anchorage also issues them.

How many children can a home daycare in Alaska care for?

Child care home: No more than 8 children. Child care group home: 9 to 12 children.

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.