You’re on the road to getting your child care business in Indiana going. Congrats! Whether you’re an Indiana preschool teacher or stay at home parent, your bound to be a great resource for your community. Wonderschool has helped hundreds of family child care owners with licensing and marketing goals.

We know that state sites can be difficult. So here is an easy 4 step guide on how to get certified. You can also find all the help you need with every aspect of your business here www.wonderschool.com/start.

How to use this guide

1. Keep this guide close and check things off as you go ✅
2. Make use of our library of resources for additional support
3. Join Wonderschool for additional community support

Step 1: Register and complete required orientations

• Create an account on I-LEAD to access the required trainings
• Locate your required online trainings through the I-LEAD Indiana Learning Paths
• Complete Orientation 1: Training for child care providers (start-up process and information).
• Complete Orientation 2: Training for child care home providers (preparation for licensure).

Step 2: Complete an application

• Your application can be found on I-LEAD
• Upload the required documents pertaining to your application (CPR, First Aid consent for drug testing certification)
• Provide information to complete a background check on you and any adults living in the home over the age of 18
• If you have any questions contact your local licensing consultant in your area

Step 3: Pass on-site inspection

• Someone from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning will schedule a time to inspect your space

Step 4: Success!

Pat yourself on the back, take a deep breath, and get some rest– the real work is just beginning!

Minimum Requirements

• The provider must reside in the home that they are looking to get licensed in
• The provider must be over the age of 18
• The provider is required to have a GED or a high school diploma at the time of the application
• The provider is required at times to be able to pass a random drug test
• The provider must successfully pass the background check across three indexes: Federal and Indiana state fingerprint databases, Indiana state sex offender registry, Child Protection Index – child abuse and neglect
• The provider must retake a background check every three years after the initial issuance of the license

Capacity Requirements

• Up to 6 unrelated children under your care for the Licensed Home application
• Any children the provider has of their own will count towards the total capacity of 6 children

Resources & Links

• Your application can be found on I-LEAD
• Within your I-LEAD Account, look for Indiana Learning Paths and register for the orientation online courses
• To learn more about regulations pertaining to your child care select License Home regulations from this list

Local state licensing consultant in your area

Start, run, and grow your child care business with Wonderschool

Join Wonderschool for support throughout the licensing process, setting up your environment, making critical business decisions, and running the day-to-day of your program. You don’t have to do this alone!