IDEC now manages child care licensing. Its current licensure page still directs providers to DCFS Sunshine, where the legacy CFS forms remain officially linked.
Agency: Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), effective July 1, 2026 Paperwork source review: September 14, 2026
Use your print window to print on paper or save as a PDF. The organizer is a planning aid for your files.
Check the form and your provider type.
An official agency form is issued or listed by the agency; that label alone does not establish mandatory use. A required state form is identified as mandatory in the cited instructions. A required record identifies information you must maintain; its format may be flexible. An optional template is a suggested format. Official instructions / portal links explain the application or record process.
Read “Applies to” and “Format and applicability” for each item. Home, group-home, center, local licensing, food-program, and subsidy requirements can differ.
Application & renewal
01
Official instructions / portal
IDEC child care licensure and application starting point
Find licensing support, setting-specific requirements and application assistance.
Applies to
Prospective day care home, group day care home and center providers
Who completes it
Applicant
Where it goes
Contact the licensing representative or local CCR&R.
When to use or update
Before applying; request the current home-specific packet.
Format and applicability: Public guidance. Do not use the separately listed CFS 597 facility form as a presumed home application.
Records family contacts, emergency doctor, care schedule and individual needs.
Applies to
Unrelated children in licensed care, including licensed homes
Who completes it
Parent/person placing child and caregiver
Where it goes
Licensee keeps completed form confidential and available to licensing staff.
When to use or update
Complete for each unrelated child; maintain current care information.
Format and applicability: Two-page official PDF; exact equivalency rules were not assessed.
Open official source: CFS 428 ↗https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/policy-rules-and-forms/documents/cfs-400/cfs428.pdf
03
Official agency form
Consents to Day Care Providers
Form CFS 593
Records emergency treatment, medication, pickup, trips and swimming permissions.
Applies to
Day care services for children who are not DCFS wards
Who completes it
Parent or legal guardian
Where it goes
Provider's child file.
When to use or update
Before relying on a specific permission; update authorizations when circumstances change.
Format and applicability: Two-page PDF; parents may sign applicable permissions.
Open official source: CFS 593 ↗https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/policy-rules-and-forms/documents/cfs-500/cfs593.pdf
04
Official agency form
Certificate of Child Health Examination
Form CFS 600
Records health history, exam, vaccines and care restrictions.
Applies to
Children in licensed child care facilities, including homes
Who completes it
Parent/guardian and qualified health professional
Where it goes
Provide to the child care program's health file.
When to use or update
For enrollment health documentation; verify age-specific timing with licensing.
Format and applicability: Official two-sided PDF; clinical requirements should be checked against current health guidance.
Open official source: CFS 600 ↗https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/policy-rules-and-forms/documents/cfs-600/cfs-600.pdf
Safety & daily records
05
Required record
Certification of Inspection for Unsafe Children's Products — Homes
Form CFS 583-B
Certifies review of unsafe-product lists and inspection of products in the home.
Applies to
Day care homes and group day care homes serving children under 12
Who completes it
Licensee
Where it goes
Retain the signed original onsite in the licensing file.
When to use or update
After inspecting products; keep the certification current. Exact repeat interval not established by this form.
Format and applicability: Fillable PDF; home-specific version.
Open official source: CFS 583-B, revision 08/2024 ↗https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/policy-rules-and-forms/documents/cfs-500/cfs-583-b-certification-of-inspection-for-unsafe-childrens-products-homes-fillable.pdf
Provider & staff files
06
Official agency form
Authorization for Background Check for Day Care
Form CFS 718-B-DC
Authorizes background checks and records five-year address history.
Applies to
Home/group-home applicants and residents age 13+, and employees/volunteers as described in the form
Who completes it
Person screened; parent/guardian signs for a minor
Where it goes
Submit to licensing worker for completion and forwarding.
When to use or update
During screening; confirm current IDEC processing before submission.
Format and applicability: Four-page PDF still linked on Sunshine; IDEC transition may change future workflow.
Open official source: CFS 718-B-DC, revision 5/2023 ↗https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/policy-rules-and-forms/documents/cfs-700/cfs-718-b-dc-authorization-for-background-check-for-day-care.pdf
What this review covers
Selected official forms and public instructions were reviewed on September 14, 2026. This is a practical starting list, not a complete certification of every record, retention period, local rule, or individual application.
IDEC's July 1, 2026 launch and DCFS forms-page notice confirm the agency transition. Legacy DCFS branding alone does not mean a linked form is obsolete.
The Sunshine application overview still contains a 2016 portal announcement; rely on IDEC/current licensing staff for application channels.
CFS 597 was inspected and does not list day care home as a license type; a verified downloadable home application was not found.
Food-program and CCAP provider billing forms were not verified in this pass.
Use the agency’s current original and revision instructions. Keep confidential child and staff records in your own secure record system.
Use this sheet to check which items apply to your program. A listed item or a checked box does not establish that your program meets licensing requirements.
Program / provider type:
Licensing office / reviewer:
Date checked / rule or packet edition:
Form or instruction
Applies? Yes / No / Ask
Received / completed
Location / next review
1. IDEC child care licensure and application starting point
2. Application/Record of Child Information (CFS 428)
3. Consents to Day Care Providers (CFS 593)
4. Certificate of Child Health Examination (CFS 600)
5. Certification of Inspection for Unsafe Children's Products — Homes (CFS 583-B)
6. Authorization for Background Check for Day Care (CFS 718-B-DC)
Other local or agency document
Food-program / subsidy documents
Questions and next steps
Ask about required format, signatures, submission, update triggers, and retention. Record the agency’s answer and the person or written source that confirmed it.
Companion to the Illinois source review dated September 14, 2026. Provider Path educational planning sheet.
Use your existing tools alongside these sources.
Keep official licensing records with your program’s business records. Provider Path’s editable agreement, handbook, and daily forms can help organize your work; check the state instructions before choosing a format.
