How to start a home daycare in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) oversees home daycares in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island allows
Family child care home
Up to 6 children, or up to 12 with approved assistants, based on enrollment
Care happens in a licensed residence where you live.
Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for LicensureGroup family child care home
8 to 12 children, with one or more approved assistants
The home must meet local zoning rules.
Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for Licensure
Starting a home daycare in Rhode Island, step by step
Sign up for orientation
Contact DHS to enroll in its licensing orientation.
Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for LicensureFinish pre-service training
Complete the orientation and pre-service training before you apply.
Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for LicensureGet CPR and first aid certified
Get pediatric CPR and first aid certification. Your first CPR course must be in person.
Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for LicensureClear background checks
You, every adult in your home and any assistant must clear a full background check.
Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for LicensureSet up RISES profiles
You, your household members and any assistants each need an approved RISES profile.
Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for LicensureApply in RISES
Apply online in RISES. Include documents about your home, yourself and at least one assistant.
Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for LicensureHave a home visit
DHS visits to confirm you live there, check the rules and measure your space.
Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for Licensure
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Care Licensing. Its licensing unit issues child care licenses and checks that programs follow the rules.Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for Licensure
- License needed for
- 4 or more children who are not your relatives, at the same timeSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12.5-2. Definitions.
- One assistant on site
- No more than 8 children at a timeSource: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for Licensure
- Babies with no assistant
- No more than 2 under 18 monthsSource: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for Licensure
- Your own children
- Those not yet in kindergarten count toward capacitySource: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for Licensure
- Certificate length
- Two yearsSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12.5-5. General licensing provisions.
Good to know
- State law says no one may provide child daycare services without a license.Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12.5-4. License required.
- The provider must live in the home and is responsible for the whole program.Source: 218-RICR-70-00-2: Family Child Care Home Regulations for Licensure
Run a program in Rhode Island? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Rhode Island
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Rhode Island licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Rhode Island
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The first step: Sign up for orientation. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Care Licensing. Its licensing unit issues child care licenses and checks that programs follow the rules.
How many children can a home daycare in Rhode Island care for?
Family child care home: Up to 6 children, or up to 12 with approved assistants, based on enrollment. Group family child care home: 8 to 12 children, with one or more approved assistants.
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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