How to start a home daycare in Oregon.
Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) oversees home daycares in Oregon. 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 Oregon allows
Registered Family Child Care Home
Up to 10 children
Care happens in the provider's own home.
Source: Registered FamilyCertified Family Child Care Home
Up to 16 children
Runs in a building built as a single family home.
Source: Certified Family Child Care Home
Starting a home daycare in Oregon, step by step
Take the introduction class
Attend both parts of the Introduction to Registered Family Child Care class. Part one is online, part two in person.
Source: Registered FamilyFinish the Safety Set trainings
Complete first aid and CPR, food handler, child abuse reporting, health and safety, and safe sleep trainings.
Source: Registered FamilyEnroll in the Central Background Registry
You and each adult 18 or older living in your home must enroll before you are licensed.
Source: Registered FamilyTest your water for lead
Test the faucets used for drinking, cooking or baby formula for lead.
Source: Registered FamilyApply at least 45 days ahead
Send your signed application at least 45 days before you plan to open.
Source: Registered FamilyPass the Health and Safety Review
When your application is complete, a licensing specialist contacts you for a Health and Safety Review.
Source: Registered Family
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). Its Child Care Licensing Division issues Registered Family and Certified Family licenses.Source: Registered Family
- Where care happens
- In the home where the provider livesSource: Registered Family
- Provider age
- 18 or olderSource: Registered Family
- License length
- Two yearsSource: Registered Family
- Visits
- At least two unannounced visits in two yearsSource: Registered Family
- Rules for homes
- Oregon Administrative Rules 414-205Source: Registered Family
Good to know
- Home caregivers who care for three or fewer children do not need a license.Source: Become a Provider
- After one year as a Registered Family provider, you may be able to change license type.Source: Registered Family
- A Certified Family home in a residential zone needs no zoning action.Source: Certified Family Child Care Home
Run a program in Oregon? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Oregon
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Oregon licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Oregon
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The first step: Take the introduction class. All 6 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Oregon?
Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). Its Child Care Licensing Division issues Registered Family and Certified Family licenses.
How many children can a home daycare in Oregon care for?
Registered Family Child Care Home: Up to 10 children. Certified Family Child Care Home: 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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