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 StudioEspañolLA guide
LA home child care
How to start a home daycare in Louisiana.
Use the Louisiana Department of Education’s current child care provider guidance. Identify whether your planned program follows the early learning center licensing route or the relevant family-provider process before selecting forms. The licensing page includes orientation resources, but center rules should not automatically be presented as the rules for all family homes. Louisiana Pathways supports professional learning and career development; it is not the licensing authority.
Volunteer provider leadership opportunity
Family Child Care Advisory Board: application deadline passed
Source check: October 12, 2026
The October 6 application deadline has passed. Visit NAFCC for board news and any future opportunities.
The published October 6, 2026 application deadline has passed. NAFCC lists October 20 for selection announcements and November 1 for two-year volunteer terms to begin. Check the board page for any changes or future opportunities.
This is a provider leadership opportunity with monthly virtual meetings and working-group participation. It is not a provider grant or a licensing requirement.
Source review: September 13, 2026
Reviewed background-check resources, center resources, home-provider resources, provider-start guidance, rules navigation, professional-development guidance. This was a targeted review of the linked public guidance, not a complete review of every rule or local requirement.
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 Louisiana.
Louisiana distinguishes family care in the provider's home from in-home care in the child's home. Registration through EdLink and CCAP provider certification are separate steps.
- Family Child Care registration application instructions
Explains registration application through EdLink.
Official source ↗ - Family Child Care Provider Certification and Renewal Packet
Organizes separate CCAP provider participation documents.
Official source ↗ - Child's Information Form
Records family contacts, emergency contacts, allergies, pickup permission and emergency-treatment authorization.
Official source ↗ - CCAP Provider Emergency Preparedness Plan
Documents multihazard evacuation, sheltering and reunification procedures.
Official source ↗ - Critical/Reportable Incident Form
Records incident, notification attempts, emergency response and corrective action.
Official source ↗ - Child Care Criminal Background Check instructions for family and in-home providers
Explains CCCBC account setup and eligibility notifications.
Official source ↗ - Daily Attendance Log for Children · CCAP 15AL
Records dates, children's names, arrival/departure times and parent signatures.
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 Louisiana’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.
Use Louisiana Pathways for training records and professional growth. Verify the purpose and acceptance of each course for your provider category; center Bulletin 137 requirements do not automatically govern every home arrangement.
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 starting point
Louisiana early learning center licensing
Use this route for early learning centers. Family providers use the separate family child care route.
Open resource ↗Home child careLouisiana Family Child Care provider registration
Use the family or home child care guidance for the category you plan to operate.
Open resource ↗Home child careFamily Child Care certification and renewal packet
Use the family or home child care guidance for the category you plan to operate.
Open resource ↗Child care centersLouisiana early learning center licensing
Use the center-specific guidance. Home-provider requirements and center requirements can differ.
Open resource ↗Rules and standardsLouisiana center licensing regulations and orientation
Choose the current rules for your program category and confirm the effective edition with the agency.
Open resource ↗Background checksLouisiana family/in-home background-check instructions
Confirm who must be checked, the required documents and the timing before arranging checks.
Open resource ↗Professional developmentLouisiana Pathways training and career support
Find professional-development guidance and confirm the exact course, format and certificate for your role.
Open resource ↗Inspection recordsLouisiana 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 assistanceLouisiana subsidy resources
Find the state program that helps eligible families pay for care and ask how providers participate.
Open assistance resources ↗Meal reimbursementLouisiana CACFP finder
Start with the USDA and state directories for family day care home sponsors and program contacts.
Find food-program contacts →Insurance regulatorLouisiana 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 →