How to start a home daycare in Nebraska.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) oversees home daycares in Nebraska. 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 Nebraska allows
Family Child Care Home I
Up to 8 children, plus 2 school-age children outside school hours
Care is in the provider's own home.
Source: Types of Child Care in NebraskaFamily Child Care Home II
Up to 12 children, with two providers
It may be in the provider's home or at another site.
Source: Types of Child Care in Nebraska
Starting a home daycare in Nebraska, step by step
Take the orientation training
Take the required licensing orientation training. It guides you through the application.
Source: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process OverviewFinish the required trainings
Finish the required trainings. Send the certificates with your application.
Source: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process OverviewCheck zoning
A Home II needs zoning approval wherever it is.
Source: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process OverviewSketch your home
Draw a sketch of your home's floor plan and outdoor play area.
Source: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process OverviewSend your application
Send the license application with all forms, documents and training certificates.
Source: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process OverviewClear background checks
Everyone 18 or older on your application needs a criminal history record check.
Source: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process OverviewPass the fire inspection
Local fire officials get a referral to inspect your home.
Source: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process OverviewPass the licensing inspection
Once your application and checks are complete, a Child Care Inspection Specialist inspects your home.
Source: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process Overview
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Children's Services Licensing. Its Children's Services Licensing unit reviews your program and issues your first license.Source: How to Apply for a Child Care or Preschool License
- License needed
- For 4 or more children from different familiesSource: Types of Child Care in Nebraska
- Liability insurance
- Proof needed before your license is issuedSource: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process Overview
- Proof of residence
- Two proofs, for a Home I onlySource: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process Overview
- Home I zoning
- Needed only in Blair, Grand Island, Holdrege or LincolnSource: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process Overview
- First license
- Provisional, for the first yearSource: How to Apply for a Child Care or Preschool License
Good to know
- Care for 3 or fewer children needs no license.Source: Types of Child Care in Nebraska
- Some places, including Omaha and Lincoln, require the licensee to live in the child care home.Source: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process Overview
- Do not set an opening date until your license is issued.Source: Provisional Family Child Care Home I and II Licensing Process Overview
Run a program in Nebraska? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Nebraska
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Nebraska licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Nebraska
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The first step: Take the orientation training. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Nebraska?
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Children's Services Licensing. Its Children's Services Licensing unit reviews your program and issues your first license.
How many children can a home daycare in Nebraska care for?
Family Child Care Home I: Up to 8 children, plus 2 school-age children outside school hours. Family Child Care Home II: Up to 12 children, with two providers.
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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