Open the official state resources
Start with the state licensing information linked on this page. Find the office that regulates family or home-based child care in the county or region where you live.
Provider PathBy Holly’s Growing Minds StudioEspañolCO guide
CO home child care
How to start a home daycare in Colorado.
Begin with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood’s child care licensing and administration information. Read the rules for your intended family-home or center category, then use the health-and-safety guidance to plan preparation and training. Colorado Shines PDIS is a professional-development resource; it is not the licensing application or permission to begin care. Keep qualification, background-check, and application tasks distinct.
Source review: September 13, 2026
Rechecked the available CDEC and PDIS destinations. Current application and replacement rules instructions could not be verified.
Current CDEC application and replacement rules links could not be verified. Existing agency resources are retained for reference; confirm the current provider-start and PDIS directions with CDEC.
Individual courses, staff qualifications, local approvals and account submissions have not been certified by this review. Confirm those details with the responsible agency.
Free state paperwork guide
Forms & records for Colorado.
Provider Hub supports licensing applications and continuation. CDEC also publishes inspection resources and county-based CCCAP paperwork.
- Family Child Care Home License Application
Submit home application and fee.
Official source ↗ - Person In Home Authorization
Authorize household review.
Official source ↗ - Child Care Provider Health Evaluation Form
Document provider health evaluation.
Official source ↗ - Emergency Plan for Providers
Find communication, emergency and security planning resources.
Official source ↗ - Inspection Documents: forms and checklists
Locate current child-file and inspection record aids.
Official source ↗ - CCCAP Fiscal Agreement
Establish subsidy responsibilities and reimbursement terms.
Official source ↗ - CCCAP Manual Claim Form and ATS Waiver Request
Request authorized exception and submit attendance-based claim.
Official source ↗
Paperwork sources reviewed September 14, 2026. The full guide identifies provider types, use instructions, format choices, and review limits.
Your starting roadmap
Seven steps to organize the process.
This roadmap shows what most applicants need to ask about. It does not replace Colorado’s current packet, regulations or licensing representative.
Prepared byHolly
Teacher, former in-home provider, and family child care specialist with more than 35 years in early childhood.
Source standardReview scope matters
How Provider Path is researched →Targeted source review dated September 13, 2026. The source-review note identifies the scope and limits. Confirm your category and location before applying.
Confirm which provider type applies
Ask whether your program will be licensed, registered, certified or legally license-exempt. The answer can depend on capacity, children’s ages, relationship to the children and whether care happens in your own home.
Request the application and orientation
Ask how to receive the current application packet and whether orientation is required before applying. Follow the state’s order instead of completing training, fingerprints or home changes too early.
Build your paperwork and training file
Confirm the required identification, education, health records, references, household information, emergency plans, insurance, training and local approvals. Keep copies of every document and certificate.
Complete background checks as directed
Ask exactly who must be checked, which forms are required and where approved fingerprinting is completed. Requirements may include caregivers, substitutes, employees and household members.
Prepare the home for inspection
Use the current state rules to review exits, alarms, sleeping and play spaces, outdoor areas, pets, water safety, medications, supervision, emergency plans and any local fire, zoning or health requirements.
Submit, inspect and follow up
Submit the complete packet in the order your licensing office requires. Prepare for the home visit, correct any remaining items and wait for written approval before operating when a license or registration is required.
Questions for your first call
Write these answers down.
The first conversation with the licensing office can save you from paying for the wrong training, inspection or home changes.
- Which home child care category fits my planned capacity?
- Do I need orientation before receiving or submitting the packet?
- Which documents and training certificates are submitted together?
- Who needs background checks, and when should fingerprints be completed?
- Which local fire, health, zoning or business approvals apply?
- Is liability insurance required, and what coverage limit or proof must I provide?
- May I operate before final written approval?
Official starting links
Use current sources for the final answer.
Choose training for your setting and role.
Colorado Shines PDIS supports professional development. Ask CDEC for current access instructions and confirm training for your program category. Licensing, qualifications, background checks and training are separate tasks.
Before enrolling, confirm the exact course, provider category, staff role, format, required topics and hours, completion deadline, renewal and accepted certificate. Check pediatric CPR and first aid separately; a general online child-development or health-and-safety course is not a substitute for the certification your agency accepts.
Provider support
CDEC health and safety guidance
Find practical assistance and contact information for your next step.
Open resource ↗Rules and standardsColorado existing rules resource
Existing reference retained. Confirm the current rules and effective edition with the responsible agency.
Open resource ↗Background checksColorado background-check reference
Confirm the current provider-specific process, forms and timing with the licensing authority. This existing reference was not reverified in full.
Open resource ↗Inspection recordsColorado provider and inspection search
Use the state’s search starting point to understand monitoring records and how licensed programs are displayed.
Open inspection resource ↗Child care assistanceColorado subsidy resources
Find the state program that helps eligible families pay for care and ask how providers participate.
Open assistance resources ↗Meal reimbursementColorado CACFP finder
Start with the USDA and state directories for family day care home sponsors and program contacts.
Find food-program contacts →Insurance regulatorColorado insurance department
Verify companies and agents, find consumer help, and ask state insurance questions.
Open state regulator directory ↗Business protection guideHome daycare insurance questions
Check state requirements, home-policy exclusions, child-capacity eligibility, and provider options.
Open insurance guide →Program setupEquipment and supplier guide
Compare professional and budget sources, then track verified items, quotes, purchases, and recall checks.
Plan equipment purchases →After written approvalMarketing and enrollment guide
Build a clear program description and a responsible 30-day plan for filling openings.
Plan responsible promotion →