How to start a home daycare in Vermont.
Vermont Department for Children and Families oversees home daycares in Vermont. 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 Vermont allows
Registered family child care home
Up to 6 children under age 6, plus 4 school-age children
Six children may be under age six and four may be school age.
Source: Apply To Be A Child Care ProviderLicensed family child care home
More children than a registered home may care for
Care still happens in a private home.
Source: Apply To Be A Child Care Provider
Starting a home daycare in Vermont, step by step
Pick your program type
First, decide the kind of child care program you want to offer.
Source: Apply To Be A Child Care ProviderApply on the Division's forms
Apply for a license on the forms and in the way the Division sets.
Source: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care HomesGet fingerprinted
Send your Records Check Authorization form with your application. Then get fingerprinted where the Division says.
Source: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care HomesSend forms for your household
Everyone 16 or older who lives in your home sends a Records Check Authorization form.
Source: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care HomesRecord your training in BFIS
Before licensing, put proof of your education, training and experience in your BFIS account.
Source: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care HomesInspect your heating system
Have a qualified person inspect your heating system within six months before you apply.
Source: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care HomesGet liability insurance
Carry liability insurance that protects you and the children. Send proof to the Division.
Source: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care HomesHave your application reviewed
A Division representative reviews your application, talks with you and may inspect your home.
Source: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Vermont Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division (CDD). Registers and licenses family child care homes. You need its approval to run one.Source: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes
- Approval needed for
- Care for children from more than 2 families other than your ownSource: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes
- Children under 2, registered home
- No more than 2Source: Apply To Be A Child Care Provider
- Where
- Only your own legal residenceSource: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes
- Provider time, registered home
- Present and counted in ratio at least 60% of opening hoursSource: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes
- Full license
- Good for 3 yearsSource: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes
Good to know
- A home provider may not also run a center or an afterschool program.Source: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes
- A home built before 1978 must meet the Vermont Lead Law, unless found lead free.Source: Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes
Run a program in Vermont? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Vermont
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Vermont licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Vermont
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Vermont
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 Vermont?
The first step: Pick your program type. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Vermont?
Vermont Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division (CDD). Registers and licenses family child care homes. You need its approval to run one.
How many children can a home daycare in Vermont care for?
Registered family child care home: Up to 6 children under age 6, plus 4 school-age children. Licensed family child care home: More children than a registered home may care for.
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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