Pre-Licensing

If you’re looking to launch your own family child care business, our Family Child Care Navigators are here to help you get started. We offer personalized navigation services to guide you through the licensing process and ensure you maintain your license annually. Begin by examining the roadmap below and continue to explore the pre-licensing training requirements.

Step 1: Attend the Department of Early Childhood’s Pre-Licensing Orientation. To sign-up go to the Child Care Licensing and Administration | Colorado Department of Early Childhood webpage. You can find the sign-up form link and upcoming date under the Apply for a Child Care License section.

Step 2: Begin to read and familiarize yourself with the Colorado Rules and Regulations for Family Child Care Homes. There is much to know and not every rule is covered in the required training.

Step 3: Complete the Family Child Care Home Application. We highly recommend reading through the Family Child Care Home Application Submission Guide before you begin to fill out the application.

Step 4: Once you have submitted your Family Child Care Home Application, you will want to begin the required background checks. Visit the Department of Early Childhood’s Child Care Background Checks Resources webpage more information on that process.

Step 5: Begin working on the required training courses to become a licensed family childcare home provider. Here is a link to all the Pre-Licensing Training Requirements. Most of these training courses can be found on Colorado’s Professional Development Information System website or PDIS as it’s often referred to. If you don’t already have a PDIS account, you can create on by visiting The Colorado Shines PDIS website.

Step 6: Begin to prepare for the Home Inspection. Be sure to check out the Family Child Care Home Inspection Requirements for a full list of what the home inspection entails. You will schedule your inspection with your licensing specialist.

Step 7: Congratulations! Once you’ve passed your home inspection, you are now a licensed family childcare program. ECPAC is here to support you with any of your family childcare program needs. Check out our Family Child Care Home webpage for more information on how we can support.

House Bill 1222: Increasing Access to Licensed Family Child Care Homes (Zoning Resource)

Family Child Care Home Administrative Guide

Department of Early Childhood Supports, Resources, Guides Webpage

For any general or specific inquiries regarding licensing requirements or the process of obtaining a license, please reach out to the Division of Early Learning Licensing and Administration (DELLA) at the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. You can visit their website, call them at 1-800-799-5876 or 303-866-5948, or email.