Are you a child care worker or preschool teacher in Nevada wondering how to start your own child care business? 

First and foremost, congratulations. You’re taking an essential step in a much-needed direction. With 72% percent of the population living in cities and towns without early childhood programs, families with young children in Nevada are looking for quality child care more than ever.

Nevada child care licensing registration might be confusing, but we’re here to help.

Wonderschool has created a step-by-step guide on how to start to get started with the Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division. Click on this link to begin your simplified journey in opening a preschool, child care, or daycare program in Nevada. 

6 TYPES OF CHILD CARE IN NEVADA

1. Nevada Family Child Care Programs located within a person’s living home. With a license and curriculum, they can care for up to six children in their homes.
2. Nevada Group Child Care Programs located in a person’s home. They are permitted to care for up to 12 children, but they must have one other caregiver and a curriculum.
3. Nevada Child Care Accommodations Facilities located with a principal business open to the public that provides child care to customers. Customers must remain on the premises of said business for up to three hours.
4. Nevada Child Care Centers Self-contained programs that provide all-day curriculum child care.
5. Nevada Child Care Institutions Programs that care for and house at-risk adolescents. They give education, daily nutrition, shelter, and medical/dental treatment to the children who are under their care.
6. Nevada Child Care On-sites Facilities that only care for the children of employees of the company.

5 STEPS TO GET A CHILD CARE LICENSE IN NEVADA

Step 1: Take the online Licensed Application Process (LAP) training

• • To access the LAPS training, you must have a log-in for the NEATS system. If you do not have a log-in, click here for instructions to create one.
  • Access the online LAP training
  • If you are curious what the training will look like. This is the PDF presentation of what they have previously presented.
  • Here is a YouTube video of why providers should get licensed and the application process is from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.

Step 2: Apply for a NV Business Entity (SilverFlume) 

• • Before you submit your online application for child care licensing, you will need to have a business license which will be asked for in the online application.
  • Create an account in Nevada’s Silverflume business portal.
  • To determine what your business checklist will look like, preview it by selecting which type of business you are interested in.
  • Most child care providers are considered to be sole proprietors
    • “State Business License for a sole proprietor: any natural person who owns and operates a business where there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business. The owner receives all profits and has unlimited responsibility for all losses and debts.”
  • If you are interested in operating as a limited liability company (LLC) you can apply for it
  • You can apply for a sole proprietorship or LLC in here.

Step 3: Submit online application and required fee

• • Access application here (Note: Washoe County has a different process, and so please contact them at [email protected], washoecounty.us). 
  • Select “Child Care” then click on the side left side navigation bar for New Applicants Begin Here and select Apply for Child Care Facility License to begin registration of your program.
  • Instructions for new Online Licensing and Certification System

Step 4: Complete your background check

• • Complete the appropriate Consent and Release Form based on your location. Make sure to sign the third page of the document. Incomplete forms will not be accepted and will be returned.
  • Obtain the appropriate fingerprint referral from your employer where applicable.
  • Take the complete consent and release and referral to your local police jurisdiction for processing.
  • Contact Nevada Department of Public Safety at 775-684-6262 for payment and submission information. Mail the money order and the fingerprint card to:

Nevada Department of Public Safety

Criminal History Repository

333 West Nye Lane, Suite 100

Carson City, NV 89706

• • Upon completion of fingerprinting please send a copy of the Consent and Release form and applicable work card(s) to Child Care Licensing for audit purposes.
  • Once appropriate card(s) and/or reports are received, Child Care Licensing will notify the facility of the applicant’s background clearance status.

Step 4: Complete Licensing consultation 

• • Your licensing agency will contact you to schedule an initial licensing consultation

Step 5: Success!

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

NEVADA CHILD CARE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

The child care training requirements include:

• • Attending the online orientation and receiving the certification of completion
  • Obtaining a State of Nevada business license
  • Passing background checks
  • Passing health and safety inspections
  • Passing fire inspections
  • Completion of certain trainings (register online)
  • TB test, and new facility training 

NEVADA CHILD CARE SPACE REQUIREMENTS

• • You must have an outdoor space that is attached to the home
  • The outdoor space that is attached to the home must be fenced in at a minimum height of 6-feet
  • Any bodies of water like a pool or small ponds attached to the outdoor area of your home must also be fenced in with that height requirement
  • If you are renting, you must get written permission from a landlord that you are able to run a child care business out of that home and submit that as part of your application
  • If you own your home but have a governing body associated with it like a Homeowner’s Association (HOA), you must get written permission and submit that as part of your application 
  • If you lack an outdoor space in your home, e.g. renting an apartment, you are still eligible to become a listed Friends & Family Neighbor (FFN program). This would mean other requirements for you and capacity constraints. 

NEVADA CHILD CARE BUSINESS RESOURCES

• • Starting your Nevada business entity checklist (e.g. sole proprietorship or LLC)
  • Create your access to the Nevada business entity application portal (SilverFlume)
  • Start your business application on SilverFlume (e.g. sole proprietorship or LLC)
  • Licensing application process training video on YouTube
  • Online PDF of the LAP training power point
  • Instructions to create a log-in to access the above LAP training (PDF)
  • Instructions for new Online Licensing and Certification System
  • Submit online application and required fee

GROWING YOUR CHILD CARE BUSINESS

Whether you have completed your application or require additional assistance, now is a perfect moment to contact Wonderschool. We have a staff of licensing, marketing, and ECE professionals who can help you every step of the way.

Need more support? Email us at [email protected]

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