You’re ready to act on starting a child care business in Illinois. For families in Chicago to Springfield to Marion, there is so much need. So congrats on your journey with a purpose! To help you get on the right foot we created this 8-step guide on how to get your child care license in Illinois.

We have loads of greater support on our website for anyone who wants to start a program so visit 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: Day Care Home Licensing Orientation – *Time Needed: 2 hours* 

• Complete the online Day Care Home Licensing Orientation here

• Print a copy or take a screenshot of your Certificate of Completion
• Print a copy or take a screenshot of your Quiz Results
• Familiarize yourself with the local child care resource and referral service (CCR&R). These CCR&Rs can answer many state specific questions. Search here.
• Select which capacity path you would like to go through, Day Care Home License (small) or Group Day Care Home (large, with more requirements)

Step 2: Register for health and safety courses – *Time Needed: 15 minutes* 

• Register for approved Pediatric CPR & First Aid Training. Find classes here
• Print a copy or take a screenshot of your Registration Confirmation (not your receipt)
• Register for approved Health, Safety, and Nutrition Training here
• Print a copy or take a screenshot of your Registration Confirmation (not your receipt)
• Note, your total hours of training should be a minimum of 15 hours or more for licensing, you will need to register for an account for these trainings

Step 3: Obtain documentation related to your background and business

• Proof of high school diploma, GED, or other degree from an accredited university or vocational school
• If applicable, an affidavit that you are current with any child support owed
• Proof of at least 15 hours of required pre-service training on specific topics
• Illinois Gateways Registry membership – You will need to create an account
• *Proof of liability insurance (group day care homes only)
• *Proof of 6 hours of college coursework in early childhood or child development (group day care homes only)

* Group day care homes are considered large licenses because they can care up to 12 children, whereas, most providers start with the Day Care Home Licensing which is the small license up to 8 children total.

Minimum Requirements

• Call your doctor to obtain these records, and schedule a checkup to fill in any necessary gaps. 

For yourself and all adults living in your home:

• Medical checkup 
• Proof of a negative TB test from the past year

For yourself and anyone who will be at home when the children are there:

• Proof of MMR (measles)
• Proof of TDap (Pertussis / whooping cough)
• Optional: proof of flu shot from the past year. If you choose not to get a flu shot you will need to include a letter saying you declined it

Capacity Requirements 

• Day Care Home License (Up to 8 children)
  • Up to a total of eight children under 12 years of age, with no more than five under five years and no more than three under 24 months;  or 
  • Up to a total of eight children under 12 years of age, with no more than six under five years and no more than two under 30 months
• Group Day Care Home License (Up  to 12 children)
  • Up to a total of eight children under 12 years of age, with no more than five under five years old and no more than three under 24 months; or 
  • Up to a total of eight children under 12 years of age, with no more than six under five years and no more than two under 30 months, o

Resources & Links

• Summary of Licensing Standards for Day Care Homes
• Summary of Licensing Standards for Group Day Care Homes
• Application for Day Care Home Licensing here
• Find your local CCR&R
• Background check authorization form found here
• Complete the online Day Care Home Licensing Orientation here
• Register for approved Pediatric CPR & First Aid Training, Health & Safety, Nutrition. Find approved classes here
• Affidavit that you are current with any child support owed
• Illinois Gateways Registry membership
• Adult Medical Form 

Online Mandated Reporter training here

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!