How to start a home daycare in New Jersey.
New Jersey Department of Human Services oversees home daycares in New Jersey. 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 3, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare New Jersey allows
Family child care home
5 or fewer children
Care takes place in the provider's own home.
Source: Office of Licensing
Starting a home daycare in New Jersey, step by step
Read the Manual of Requirements
Before you start, read the Manual of Requirements for Family Child Care Registration.
Source: Registered Family Child Care ProviderContact your CCR&R
Tell your local CCR&R agency you want to become a registered family child care provider.
Source: Registered Family Child Care ProviderCreate an NJCCIS account
Create an account in NJCCIS, the New Jersey Child Care Information System. You apply and sign up for training there.
Source: Registered Family Child Care ProviderComplete the orientation
Take the required two-hour orientation from your local CCR&R.
Source: Registered Family Child Care ProviderSubmit your application
Submit your application in NJCCIS.
Source: Registered Family Child Care ProviderComplete background checks
You, your staff and your household members must finish background checks before you can be registered.
Source: Registered Family Child Care ProviderComplete the pre-service trainings
You and anyone who cares for the children finish the required trainings before care starts.
Source: Registered Family Child Care ProviderPass the home inspection
Your CCR&R inspects your home before it issues your Certificate of Registration.
Source: Registered Family Child Care Provider
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- New Jersey Department of Human Services. Its county Child Care Resource and Referral agencies register family child care providers who choose to register.Source: Office of Licensing
- Children allowed
- Up to 5 children who do not live with you, at one timeSource: Registered Family Child Care Provider
- Registration
- Your choice, through your local CCR&RSource: Registered Family Child Care Provider
- Substitute
- Required, age 18 or olderSource: Registered Family Child Care Provider
- Also required
- Character references, a medical exam and a TB skin testSource: Registered Family Child Care Provider
- Registration length
- Three yearsSource: N.J.A.C. 3A:54, Manual of Requirements for Family Child Care Registration
Good to know
- State rules call the agency that registers homes a sponsoring organization. It works under contract with the Department of Human Services.Source: N.J.A.C. 3A:54, Manual of Requirements for Family Child Care Registration
- Each county has a CCR&R agency under state contract. It checks on registered homes.Source: Licensing
- Children under 6 who live with you can add up to 3 more, for 8 in all.Source: N.J.A.C. 3A:54, Manual of Requirements for Family Child Care Registration
Run a program in New Jersey? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in New Jersey
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- New Jersey licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- 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 New Jersey?
The first step: Read the Manual of Requirements. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in New Jersey?
New Jersey Department of Human Services. Its county Child Care Resource and Referral agencies register family child care providers who choose to register.
How many children can a home daycare in New Jersey care for?
Family child care home: 5 or fewer children.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
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