Are you an Oregon preschool teacher who wants to start your own child care program? Or someone new to child care but wants to start by getting licensed for a daycare or child care in Oregon?

Now is an excellent time to start a program because child care demand is high. All 36 Oregon counties are child care deserts. For every open slot in a funded, regulated program, there are seven infants & toddlers. 

There are 7 infants & toddlers for every funded, regulated infant/toddler slot. 

In this guide, you will find more about:

• • Types of Licensed Child Care Programs in Oregon
  • How to Get a Daycare license in Oregon
  • Oregon Child Care Rules 
  • Growing Your Child Care In Oregon

Whether you are experienced or simply looking to grow, we have created a simplified guide to getting your child care license in Oregon. 

Types of Family Child Care In Oregon

Registered Family Child Care (covered in this guide)

Programs with up to 10 children.

Certified Family Child Care (covered in this guide)

Programs with up to 16 children.

How To Use This Guide

First of all, congratulations on taking this exciting step in your licensing journey! Trust us, we know how confusing state websites can be. Hopefully, this guide will demystify some of the requirements.

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

Join Wonderschool for additional community support.

Note*

The licensing application is only provided to prospects who have attended an in-person or virtual training session through the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) service specific to your county in Oregon. 

Step 1: Review licensing requirements and attend training 

• • Review the different types of child care that Oregon oversees.
  • Select which path you would like to apply for.
  • In most cases, people start at the Home Based Child Care Residential, which can be up to 10 children for the small license. Capacity: up to 10 children in the home, but no more than 2 can be under the age of 24 months (including the provider’s own children) 
  • Attend Introduction to Registered Family Child Care class managed through your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R). This is where you will be given a license application.
  • Click here to find the CCR&R for your county. This training is free. Contact your CCR&R and find the next available training for this intro course.

Step 2: Complete classes and submit your licensing application 

• • Enroll all adults in the household in Central Background Registry (CBR) portal here.
  • Complete Overview for Family Child Care
  • Complete Safety Set training
    • Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
    • First Aid
    • Infant/Child CPR
    • Food Handlers
  • Complete testing for lead exposure in water - more guidance here.
  • Submit application by mail (consult your local CC&R for mailing address)
    • Include an application fee of $30. (You may qualify for a reduced application fee - consult your local CC&R for more information)

Step 3: Complete your Health & Safety Review with a licensing specialist

• • A licensing specialist will contact you to schedule and conduct a Health & Safety Review. During this visit, the licensing specialist will inspect your home and make sure it meets compliance requirements.
  • If the licensing specialist observes any non-compliance, you will be informed and given an opportunity to correct the issue(s).
  • If for whatever reason you do not pass on the first visit (such as corrections need to be made in order to be in compliance), the licensing specialist will conduct a second Health & Safety Review. 

Step 4: Success!

Pat yourself on the back, take a deep breath, and get some rest-- your journey is just beginning!

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!