How to start a home daycare in District of Columbia.
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) oversees home daycares in District of Columbia. 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 District of Columbia allows
Child development home
Up to 6 children
Also called a family child care home. Care is in the provider's own home.
Source: Licensing Process for Child Care ProvidersExpanded child development home
Up to 12 children
For a home provider who wants to care for more than six children.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DC
Starting a home daycare in District of Columbia, step by step
Complete the home orientation
Complete the home licensing orientation, in person or online, before you apply.
Source: Licensing Process for Child Care ProvidersGet a Home Occupancy Permit
Get a Home Occupancy Permit for the home where you will give care.
Source: Licensing Orientation for New Child Development Homes and Expanded HomesPass a fire safety inspection
Get a fire safety inspection from Fire and Emergency Medical Services, called FEMS.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCGet a lead certification
Get a lead certification for your home.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCGet fingerprinted
You, your staff and every adult 18 or older in your home get fingerprinted through OSSE.
Source: Licensing Orientation for New Child Development Homes and Expanded HomesGet insurance
Get liability insurance and molestation and abuse insurance. Umbrella coverage is for centers only.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCApply to OSSE
Fill out the child care licensing application and send it to OSSE.
Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DCPass the inspections and validation visit
After your inspections, the licensing specialist and program manager make a final visit, called a validation visit.
Source: Licensing Process for Child Care Providers
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of Early Learning. Its Division of Early Learning issues every child development facility license in DC.Source: Licensing Orientation for New Child Development Homes and Expanded Homes
- Where you live
- You must live in the home and work thereSource: Licensing Orientation for New Child Development Homes and Expanded Homes
- Health exams
- Everyone who lives in the home, within the past 12 monthsSource: Licensing Orientation for New Child Development Homes and Expanded Homes
- Clean Hands Certificate
- Needed before you applySource: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DC
- Outdoor play space
- At least 60 square feet per child outdoors at one timeSource: Licensing Orientation for New Child Development Homes and Expanded Homes
- License length
- Three years, then you renewSource: Licensing Process for Child Care Providers
Good to know
- Your own children age 6 or older do not count toward the six.Source: Licensing Orientation for New Child Development Homes and Expanded Homes
- Children you are related to still count toward the limit.Source: Licensing Orientation for New Child Development Homes and Expanded Homes
- Almost all child care programs in DC need a license. OSSE lists the programs that do not.Source: Child Care Program Licensing Process: Steps for Getting Licensed in DC
Run a program in District of Columbia? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in District of Columbia
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- District of Columbia licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in District of Columbia
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The first step: Complete the home orientation. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in District of Columbia?
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of Early Learning. Its Division of Early Learning issues every child development facility license in DC.
How many children can a home daycare in District of Columbia care for?
Child development home: Up to 6 children. Expanded child development home: Up 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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