How to start a home daycare in Connecticut.

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) oversees home daycares in Connecticut. 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 Connecticut allows

Starting a home daycare in Connecticut, step by step

  1. Get the license forms

    Get the forms from the Office of Early Childhood. Apply on those forms.

    Source: Chapter 368a - Department of Public Health (Sections 19a-77, 19a-79, 19a-80 and 19a-87b)

  2. Agree to follow the rules

    State in writing that you follow the state's family child care rules.

    Source: Chapter 368a - Department of Public Health (Sections 19a-77, 19a-79, 19a-80 and 19a-87b)

  3. Get background checks for your household

    Every household member 18 or older gets state and national background checks.

    Source: Chapter 368a - Department of Public Health (Sections 19a-77, 19a-79, 19a-80 and 19a-87b)

  4. Get a medical statement

    Send a medical statement signed in the past 12 months by a doctor, PA or APRN.

    Source: Sec. 19a-87b-6. Qualifications of the Applicant and Provider

  5. Get first aid and CPR certified

    Get first aid and CPR certification from a hands-on course.

    Source: Sec. 19a-87b-6. Qualifications of the Applicant and Provider

  6. Gather three references

    Send at least three references from people who have known you for three years or more.

    Source: Sec. 19a-87b-6. Qualifications of the Applicant and Provider

  7. Pass the interview and inspection

    OEC staff interview you and inspect your entire home.

    Source: Sec. 19a-87b-3. Application for a License to Operate a Family Child Care Home

At a glance

Who oversees home daycares
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC). Issues the license every family child care home needs.Source: Chapter 368a - Department of Public Health (Sections 19a-77, 19a-79, 19a-80 and 19a-87b)
With an approved assistant
Up to 9 children, including your ownSource: Chapter 368a - Department of Public Health (Sections 19a-77, 19a-79, 19a-80 and 19a-87b)
Children under 18 months
No more than 2 at a time, unless an assistant is helpingSource: Sec. 19a-87b-5. Terms of the License
One license per home
Only one license is issued for each residenceSource: Sec. 19a-87b-3. Application for a License to Operate a Family Child Care Home
Lead check
The home inspection looks for sources of lead poisoningSource: Chapter 368a - Department of Public Health (Sections 19a-77, 19a-79, 19a-80 and 19a-87b)

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Questions, answered

How do I start a home daycare in Connecticut?

The first step: Get the license forms. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.

Who oversees home daycares in Connecticut?

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC). Issues the license every family child care home needs.

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

Family child care home: Up to 6 children, including your own not in school full time. Group child care home: 7 to 12 children.

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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