How to start a home daycare in Indiana.
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration oversees home daycares in Indiana. 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 Indiana allows
Class I child care home
Up to 12 children, plus 3 enrolled in at least full-day kindergarten
It may care for any mix of full-time and part-time children.
Source: 2026 Indiana Code, Title 12Class II child care home
More than 12 and up to 16 children
It may also care for any mix of full-time and part-time children.
Source: 2026 Indiana Code, Title 12
Starting a home daycare in Indiana, step by step
Fill out the referral form
Fill out the Emerging Provider Referral Form. A specialist will answer questions and guide you.
Source: Become a Child Care ProviderTake Orientation 1
Take Orientation 1 in I-LEAD. It covers the start-up process.
Source: Become a Child Care ProviderTake Orientation 2 for homes
Take Orientation 2 for child care home providers. It prepares you for licensing.
Source: Become a Child Care ProviderGet background checks
You and every household member 18 or older need background checks.
Source: Background Check RequirementsApply in I-LEAD
Send your application online through I-LEAD.
Source: Become a Child Care ProviderPass the pre-licensing inspection
OECOSL inspects your home at least once before it issues a license. The visit is set by appointment.
Source: The Monitoring Process for Child Care Programs in Indiana
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL). Regulates child care in Indiana, including licensed child care homes.Source: Laws Rules and Related Policies
- Counts as a child care home
- 8 or more children, or 4 or more under 12 months, not counting your relativesSource: 2026 Indiana Code, Title 12
- License
- Required to run a child care homeSource: 2026 Indiana Code, Title 12
- Inspections
- At least one unannounced visit each yearSource: The Monitoring Process for Child Care Programs in Indiana
- Fingerprint checks
- Done again every 3 yearsSource: Background Check Requirements
Good to know
- Think your program may not need a license? Read the Indiana Code on licensing exemptions.Source: Become a Child Care Provider
Run a program in Indiana? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Indiana
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Indiana licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Indiana
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The first step: Fill out the referral form. All 6 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Indiana?
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL). Regulates child care in Indiana, including licensed child care homes.
How many children can a home daycare in Indiana care for?
Class I child care home: Up to 12 children, plus 3 enrolled in at least full-day kindergarten. Class II child care home: More than 12 and up to 16 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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