How To Get A Home Day Care License?

How to Get a Home Day Care License in Illinois

• Answer:

  Starting a family child-care business at home can be a wonderful and enriching experience for those who love children and wish to have a rewarding home-based business. This career opportunity is great for mothers who desire to stay at home with their own children and care for other children as well. You must have good health and plenty of energy to have a successful business as a home day-care provider. To receive an at-home day-care license, there are certain requirements to becoming licensed. Difficulty: Moderately Easy Instructions Go to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) website. Look to the right of your screen for "Day Care Information." You will see a phone number listed for contact information. Dial the phone number that is listed for information on how to become a home day-care provider. The switchboard operator will transfer you to the right customer service representative according to your county. Requirements for a home day-care license may vary from county to county in Illinois. Speak to the customer service representative. She will ask for your availability to attend a one-day orientation. This is required in order to get licensed. She will send you a letter stating the time and day that you should attend orientation. Attend the orientation and listen attentively so that you are sure to complete all of the requirements to become licensed without delay. The home day-care orientation will provide you with further information and requirements to get licensed according to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Make sure that you are in compliance with required childcare and education requirements. You have to be at least 21 years old to be the primary caregiver and have 45 quarter or 30 semester hours earned from either an accredited college or university. You may also be eligible to apply for a home day-care license if you've worked in a licensed day care previously or have experience working with nursery or kindergarten children. You may have child-care credential due to your work experience with children or due to your present college coursework hours. Prepare your home for the safety of the children you will care for. Some of the things that you will have to complete before license approval is make sure you have a working phone line. You must also have cold and hot running water. The water temperature cannot be higher than 115 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent a child's hands from being scalded when washing her hands. You must cover all electrical outlets with protective coverings, purchase a fire extinguisher, cots, a playpen and/or crib. Each child must have his own separate clean bedding. Remove all dangerous and hazardous materials such as cleaning supplies, medicines, poisonous items and sharp tools, and store them in a location where children cannot reach them. Purchase a first-aid kit. You must also have an operable flashlight and working smoke detectors on every floor of your home. This includes your attic area and basement. A written evacuation plan is also required in case there is an emergency and a plan for qualified substitute child-care if you become ill. Invest in equipment for the day care and in age appropriate toys that do not have sharp edges and are free from hazardous materials. The day-care home and toys must be maintained and kept clean at all times. Fill out all of your paperwork and return it to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. You will have to supply references. Once you have fully complied with all requirements for licensing, you will be approved for a home day-care license.