Are you dreaming of owning your own in-home base business? Wondering how to become a family childcare teacher, but not sure where to begin? Before you start, join your local association — the D.C. Family Child Care Association. Once you do, you'll need to obtain a license to operate your family child care school or facility. The District of Columbia has a licensing process on how to become an in-home base family child care teacher/provider.
You must have a child care license if you are preparing to provide care for less than 24 hours a day, on a routine basis and for more than two children. The Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) provides information and guidance for those interested in becoming a Family Childcare Teacher/Provider.
You must have a child care license if you are preparing to provide care for less than 24 hours a day, on a routine basis and for more than two children. The Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) provides information and guidance for those interested in becoming a Family Childcare Teacher/Provider.
types of licenses
Unless specifically exempted, every Caregiver and Child Development Facility, whether an in-home base or in a building, must be licensed. In D.C., there are two types of licenses: Child Development Home and Expanded Child Development Home.
child development home
A Child Development Home may be licensed to provide care for up to six children. This does not include those of the caregiver who are six years or older — provided that the total number of the caregiver’s children between the ages of 6 to 15 does not exceed three. Of those (3) children, no more than two shall be 10 years old or younger.
The restrictions on the number of children cared for in a child development home shall also include care given to a child by a caregiver related to the child. The term “related” means any of the following relationships by marriage, blood, or adoption: grandparent, parent, brother, sister, step-sister, step-brother, uncle, or aunt.
The restrictions on the number of children cared for in a child development home shall also include care given to a child by a caregiver related to the child. The term “related” means any of the following relationships by marriage, blood, or adoption: grandparent, parent, brother, sister, step-sister, step-brother, uncle, or aunt.
licensee qualifications
Age: At least 18 years old
Education: Have a high school diploma or GED-equivalent
CDA Credential: Must earn a Child Development Associate credential by December 2020
Annual Training: Attend at least four, D.C. government approved, child development-related training courses a year — for a total of at least 12 hours of professional development annually (See planning guide)
Health and Safety Training: Pass and complete all health and safety training requirements (See planning guide)
Education: Have a high school diploma or GED-equivalent
CDA Credential: Must earn a Child Development Associate credential by December 2020
Annual Training: Attend at least four, D.C. government approved, child development-related training courses a year — for a total of at least 12 hours of professional development annually (See planning guide)
Health and Safety Training: Pass and complete all health and safety training requirements (See planning guide)
expanded child development home
In an Expanded Child Development Home, child care is provided by two or more caregivers for up to 12 children.
An Expanded Home may provide care for more than two children who are non-ambulatory or under 2 years old — provided that the number of such children does not exceed one of the following:
An Expanded Home may provide care for more than two children who are non-ambulatory or under 2 years old — provided that the number of such children does not exceed one of the following:
- (4) children, if there are two or more caregivers present
- (6) children, if there are three or more caregivers present
- Each Expanded Home must have at least two caregivers, in compliance with adult-to-child ratios
- Each Home or Expanded Home shall provide a minimum of thirty-five square feet of unencumbered program space per child
Licensee Qualifications
Age: At least 18 years old
Education: Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in early childhood education (ECE) or an A.A. with at least 24 credit hours in ECE by December 2020
Experience: Complete one of the following:
Education: Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in early childhood education (ECE) or an A.A. with at least 24 credit hours in ECE by December 2020
Experience: Complete one of the following:
- At least one year of operating as a caregiver in a licensed, D.C. Child Development Home or its equivalent in another jurisdiction
- At least one year of supervised, occupational experience as a Center Director or Teacher in a licensed Child Development Center or its equivalent in another jurisdiction
licensing process
Once you figure out which license is right for you, it's time to apply. Follow these steps for the initial licensing process:
Step #1 Orientation:
Step #1 Orientation:
- Complete the online Homes and Expanded Homes licensing orientation webinar and quiz
- Print the orientation completion certificate to submit with the initial license application. Due to COVID-19, in-person licensing orientations are not being conducted at this time
Step #2 Obtain permits and certificates:
- Home Occupancy Permit (HOP): Homes and expanded homes must obtain a HOP. A HOP or other succeeding form of equivalent proof is required to verify the premise complies with all applicable D.C. and federal building, fire-safety, construction, and zoning laws, regulations and codes and that the premise(s) are fit and suitable for the operation of a Child Development Facility, issued by the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). You can read more about how to get a home occupation permit.
- Attach a copy of your HOP to your child development facility licensing application. A HOP can be obtained from:
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Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)
1100 4th St. SW, Second Floor Washington, DC 20024 |
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- Fire Safety Inspection Certificate: The fire safety inspection certificate must be obtained from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), Fire Protection Branch, and Building and Land Regulation Administration.
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1100 Fourth St. SW, Second Floor
Washington, DC 20024 |
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A DCRA representative will contact you to schedule a full, on-site fire prevention inspection and fire evacuation plan review. Attach a copy of your final inspection approval and fire evacuation plan to your child development facility licensing application.
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- Lead Certificate: A certification or clearance report issued by a D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) certified lead-based paint inspector, risk assessor, or dust sampling technician confirming that the facility does not contain any lead-based paint hazards — issued no more than 30 days before the date of application. Attach a copy of your Lead Certification to your child development facility licensing application. A list of Certified Lead Risk Assessors can be found at:
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District Department of the Energy and Environment
1200 First Street NE, Fifth Floor Washington, DC 20002 |
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- Clean Hands Certificate: This certificate verifies that the applicant does not owe the District of Columbia taxes or funds more than $100. Also, it satisfies the requirements that must be met to obtain a license or permit from the D.C. government, set out in D.C. Official Code § 47-2862. It must be issued by the District’s Office of Tax and Revenue within 30 days of the date the application is submitted. Attach a copy of your Clean Hands certification to your child development facility licensing application.
- Proof of Insurance: Proof of insurance — which includes a reasonable coverage amount — as determined by the District’s Office of Risk Management, for the following types of coverage:
- Commercial General Liability
- Umbrella “Follow Form” Liability
- Sexual Abuse & Molestation Liability
- Vehicle liability coverage needed for every vehicle used for transportation services for the children at the facility.
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Attach a copy of your Insurance certification to your child development facility licensing application.
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- Building Use Agreement: A current, valid, and notarized building use agreement that identifies a contingency location that may be used if the primary location of operation ceases to be available. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Contact information for the owner of the building
- The purpose of the use
- General guideline and requirements
- Proof of appropriate insurance coverage
- Proof of valid certificate of occupancy
- Proof of updated, safety inspections are required — specifically for a child development facility
- User responsibilities
- User restrictions
- Facility usage fee, if any.
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Instead of the building use agreement, an applicant may opt to close their facility in the event of an emergency lasting more than 24 hours by attaching a facility closure statement to the “Safe Evacuation Site” form with their application. Attach a copy of your building use agreement to your child development facility licensing application.
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Step #3 Submit Application and Fees: Initial application submission should include the following:
- Completed Child Development Home License Application Form
- Copy of orientation completion certificate
- Original home occupancy permit
- Original fire inspection certificate
- Original lead inspection certificate or report
- Clean hands act certification
- Certification of Immunization Compliance
- Proof of current liability insurance coverage
- Commercial general liability
- Umbrella “Follow Form“ liability
- Sexual abuse and molestation liability
- Vehicle liability
- Original certificate of good standing (if incorporated)
- Criminal background checks and histories for applicants, including:
- Federal Bureau of Investigations check results for applicant
- Criminal History (MPD) check results for applicant
- Child Protection Registry (CPR) checks results or notarized affidavits for applicant — pending receipt of the CPR results
- Staff credentials (if hired at this point)
- Fees: Initial application and pre-licensure inspection fee of $75 made payable to D.C. Treasurer. Each applicant for an initial license to operate a Child Development Home or Expanded Home for a 3-year duration shall pay an initial license fee of $225.
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Licensing application packets should be submitted along with payment to:
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Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Early Childhood Education Childcare Licensing Unit 1050 First Street NE, Sixth Floor Washington, DC 20002 (202) 727-1839 |
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Step #4 Prepare for Initial Inspection: A licensing specialist will contact you within 10 business days of receipt of your application. Prepare the following documents for review:
- Program Policy Statement
- Alcohol and drug policies and testing procedures
- Building use agreement or safe evacuation site form
- Sample five-day menu following USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern (if serving food)
- Procure/Purchase developmentally appropriate materials, equipment, cots/cribs that are sufficient for the number of children enrolled
- Designate program space(s) and set up program learning/activity areas for children
- Complete caregiver files which include:
- A current health certificate
- Employee health information form
- Employee appointment form
- Educational credentials, resume
- Criminal and background history checks – OSSE-issued suitability notice
- Drug and alcohol policies and pre-employment test results
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) training
- First aid and CPR certification
- Traffic record check (only required if an employee will transport children)
Step #5 Initial Inspection: During the initial inspection, the licensing specialist will:
- Inspect your home to ensure all health, and safety and licensing requirements are met
- Review all documents submitted by the applicant for initial inspection
- Issue a Statement of Deficiencies report with a recommended plan of correction (if applicable)
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Applicant must correct deficiencies, if applicable, within the required time frame as specified by OSSE, not to exceed 90 days.
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Step #6 Prepare for Follow-up Inspection (if needed): Contact your licensing specialist to schedule a follow-up inspection if needed. During the follow-up inspection, your licensing specialist will review any deficiencies noted during your initial inspection.
Step #7 Validation Visit: Your licensing specialist and program manager will visit the home for a final on-site inspection before the initial license is issued.
Step #8 Issuance of License: The licensing process takes around one to three months. The time frame in which an applicant receives a license varies based on the applicant’s availability and the time it takes for the applicant to correct any identified deficiencies.
Training Requirements for Licensing
As a licensed home-based child care provider in D.C., you will have to meet specific training requirements.
Each paid employee of a licensee serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers shall participate in the ongoing professional development — which includes:
Each paid employee of a licensee serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers shall participate in the ongoing professional development — which includes:
- Registration with and participation in OSSE’s professional development information system
- Pre-service and orientation training in health and safety standards
- Annual training to maintain and update the employee’s knowledge of health and safety standards
- Annual professional development that:
- Incorporates the knowledge and application of the District’s early learning and developmental guidelines
- Promotes the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children
- Improves the knowledge and skills of directors, teachers, and caregivers in working with children and their families
- Child abuse and neglect, prevention, detection, and reporting
- Emergency preparation and response planning for emergencies resulting from a natural disaster or a human-caused event
- Prevention of SIDS and use of safe sleep practices, as applicable
- Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma, as applicable
- First aid and CPR
- Developmentally appropriate programming for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children, as applicable
- Prevention and control of infectious diseases (including immunization)
- Administration of medication — consistent with standards for parental or guardian consent
- Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions
- Building and physical premises safety — including identification of and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injuries (e.g., electrical hazards, bodies of water, vehicular traffic, etc.)
- Poison prevention — including the handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of bio-contaminants
- Prevention of SIDS and use of safe sleep practices
- Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma
- First aid and CPR
- Poison prevention — including the handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of bio-contaminants
- Prevention and control of infectious diseases — including immunization
- Transportation regulations — including the modeling of and demonstration (by staff to director) on how to properly conduct a vehicle passenger check
- Proper use of child safety restraints required by D.C. law
- Proper loading, unloading, and monitoring of children
- Location of first aid supplies
- Emergency procedures for vehicles used — including actions taken in the event of accidents or breakdowns
- Any paid employee of a Facility serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers whose duties/responsibilities include the care of enrolled children shall participate in the annual professional development — including yearly training that maintains and updates the health and safety standards, as follows:
- Child Development Home caregivers and staff shall participate in at least 12 hours of professional development
- Expanded Home caregivers and staff shall participate in at least 15 hours of professional development
- Annual training that maintains and updates the health and safety standards includes:
- Child abuse and neglect, prevention, detection, and reporting
- Emergency preparation and response planning for emergencies resulting from a natural disaster or a human-caused event
- Prevention of SIDS and use of safe sleep practices
- Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma
- First aid and CPR
- Prevention and control of infectious diseases — including immunization
- Administration of medication — consistent with standards for parental or guardian consent
- Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions
- Building and physical premises safety — including identification of and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injuries (e.g., electrical hazards, bodies of water, vehicular traffic, etc.)
- Handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of bio-contaminants
- Identifying, approaching and referring students showing signs of psychological distress to appropriate support services
- Annual professional development, beyond the health and safety standards, may include:
- Developmentally appropriate programming for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children
- Developmentally appropriate methods of positive behavior intervention and support
- Inclusion of children with special needs, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- Communication and collaboration with parents, guardians, and families
- Community health and social services resources for children and families
- Planning developmentally appropriate programs and activities for children and families
- Enhancing self-regulation and self-esteem in children
- Montessori curriculum, pedagogy, classroom management and other topics specific to the Montessori program
- Basic or advanced business practices
- Any other area as determined by OSSE
home Licensing Requirements:
indoor and outdoor
Lastly, your home or space must meet certain indoor and outdoor requirements in order to receive a license. Learn about the Home Requirements for Licensing.
Resources for caregivers:
Home and Expanded Home
Child Development Associate (CDA): Home Caregivers and Associate Home Caregivers are required to have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential by December 2020. The dates may change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following is a list of programs and resources available in the D.C. metropolitan area. This list is neither complete nor an indication of endorsement by OSSE.
The following is a list of programs and resources available in the D.C. metropolitan area. This list is neither complete nor an indication of endorsement by OSSE.
Organization |
Information on CDA Program |
Program Point of Contact |
University of District of Columbia Community College |
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Southeast Children’s |
SCF Professional Development Institute Phone: 202.561.1100 |
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CentroNia |
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Briya Public Charter School and Mary’s Center |
The Planning Guide: Home Caregivers with a High School Diploma or GED can help you create a plan for meeting the new education requirements for child development staff.
Associate degree: Expanded Home Caregivers are required to have an A.A. in either early childhood education or in any subject area with at least 24 credit hours in early childhood by December 2023. The dates may change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An Expanded Home Caregiver with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education meets the minimum education requirements.
The following is a list of programs and resources available in the D.C. metropolitan area. OSSE does not endorse any particular program from this list.
Associate degree: Expanded Home Caregivers are required to have an A.A. in either early childhood education or in any subject area with at least 24 credit hours in early childhood by December 2023. The dates may change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An Expanded Home Caregiver with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education meets the minimum education requirements.
The following is a list of programs and resources available in the D.C. metropolitan area. OSSE does not endorse any particular program from this list.
College/University |
Information on A.A. in EC |
Program Point of Contact |
University of District of Columbia — Community College |
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Trinity University |
Dr. Bweikia Steen Associate Professor of Education and Director, Early Childhood Education steenb@trinitydc.edu |
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Howard Community College |
SSCIDivisionOffice@howardcc.edu Phone: 443.518.1620 |
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Montgomery College |
Early Childhood Education -- A.A.T. Degree |
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Prince George's Community College |
Early Childhood Education — A.A.S. Degree |
Professor Aretha Williams, Chair Department of Teacher Education WilliaAI@pgcc.edu |
NOVA Community College — Alexandria Campus |
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Resource Available: T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Program |
The following resources can help you create a plan for meeting the new educational requirements for child development staff: