How to start a home daycare in Washington.
Washington State Department of Children oversees home daycares in Washington. 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 Washington allows
Family home early learning program
12 or fewer children
The provider lives in the home where the care takes place.
Source: Become a Licensed Child Care & Early Learning Provider
Starting a home daycare in Washington, step by step
Contact the Pre-licensing Team
Contact DCYF's Pre-licensing Team. It gives personal help through the licensing process.
Source: Pre-Licensing and the Licensing ProcessRegister for a STARS ID in MERIT
Register for a STARS ID in MERIT, DCYF's online workforce registry.
Source: Pre-Licensing and the Licensing ProcessComplete the licensing orientation
Take the online licensing orientation. Save your certificate, since it goes with your application.
Source: Pre-Licensing and the Licensing ProcessComplete background checks
Staff, volunteers and anyone 13 or older who lives in your home need a cleared background check.
Source: Family Home and Center Child Care License or Certification Application (DCYF 15-955)Apply in the WA Compass Provider Portal
Submit your licensing application online in the WA Compass Provider Portal.
Source: WA Compass Provider PortalPass the onsite inspection
A licensor inspects your program. DCYF checks that you meet the rules before it issues a license.
Source: Child Care Licensing Overview (LIC_0134)Finish the inspection items
Complete any items on the inspection report. Then DCYF issues your license.
Source: Pre-Licensing and the Licensing Process
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Licenses anyone who provides child care outside a child's home, unless they are exempt.Source: Child Care Licensing Overview (LIC_0134)
- Children allowed
- 12 or fewer, from birth to age 13Source: Become a Licensed Child Care & Early Learning Provider
- First license, less than 1 year of experience
- Up to 6 childrenSource: WAC 110-300-0355: Family home capacity, ratio, and group size
- Your own children
- Count toward the number you may care forSource: WAC 110-300-0355: Family home capacity, ratio, and group size
- Orientation
- Required before you applySource: Child Care Licensing Overview (LIC_0134)
- Drinking water
- Lead and copper test results go with your applicationSource: Family Home and Center Child Care License or Certification Application (DCYF 15-955)
Good to know
- Ask your city or county, and any homeowners association, about local codes that apply to your site.Source: Child Care Licensing Overview (LIC_0134)
- Programs in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston counties also need a lead or arsenic evaluation agreement.Source: Family Home and Center Child Care License or Certification Application (DCYF 15-955)
Run a program in Washington? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Washington
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Washington 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 Washington?
The first step: Contact the Pre-licensing Team. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Washington?
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Licenses anyone who provides child care outside a child's home, unless they are exempt.
How many children can a home daycare in Washington care for?
Family home early learning program: 12 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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