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 StudioEspañolOR guide
OR home child care
How to start a home daycare in Oregon.
Use Oregon DELC’s provider guidance to choose a registered family home, certified family home or center pathway before selecting an application. Read the current child care rules for your category. Keep the official child care safety and Find Child Care Oregon resources available for inspection history. Use Oregon Registry Online for professional-development records and learning, separately from licensing and Central Background Registry enrollment.
Oregon ELMS transition
ELMS preregistration closed October 9; phased launch ahead
Source check: October 12, 2026
The September 8–October 9, 2026 preregistration window has closed. DELC says more registration opportunities will follow and providers who missed preregistration can register when the system launches. Check DELC’s current instructions for the next opportunity.
DELC has moved to a phased launch, with staff and some system partners using selected features this fall. The page does not establish that full provider access is live. ELMS will bring licensing, the Central Background Registry and ERDC subsidy tools together.
What to do next
- Follow DELC’s current licensing and billing instructions while the transition continues.
- Keep your contact information current and watch for DELC registration and training notices.
- For help with the transition, contact DELC at 1-800-556-6616.
Source review: September 13, 2026
Reviewed background-check resources, center resources, family information, 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 Oregon.
Registered Family and Certified Family licenses have separate application pathways. DELC's form library labels program types, and several general forms include center-only clauses that home providers should not automatically adopt.
- Registered Family application guidance
Get the application through required introductory training and assemble supporting records.
Official source ↗ - Certified Family application packet guidance
Prepare for precertification visit and obtain the specialist-provided application packet.
Official source ↗ - Child Enrollment Form · PR-0185
Record contacts, emergency treatment permission, health needs, and child information.
Official source ↗ - Child Care Fire Safety & Emergency Drills Record — Homes · CCLD-0489
Log preparedness checks, fire drills, and other emergency practice.
Official source ↗ - Instructions and Application for Enrollment in Central Background Registry · CEN-0001
Request new, renewed, or reopened background-registry enrollment.
Official source ↗ - Lead Testing Results · CEN-0017
Identify fixtures and submit lead-test results.
Official source ↗ - ERDC Provider Listing Form · 7494d
Apply to be listed and approved for ERDC payment.
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 Oregon’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 myORO for professional-development records and learning. Licensing applications and Central Background Registry enrollment are distinct 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 starting point
Start a registered family child care home
Registered family-home applicant guidance. Read the separate current rules page before relying on older numerical summaries.
Open resource ↗Home child careStart a certified family child care home
Certified family-home applicant guidance. This is a separate pathway from registered family care.
Open resource ↗Child care centersStart a certified child care center
Use the center-specific guidance. Home-provider requirements and center requirements can differ.
Open resource ↗Rules and standardsCurrent Oregon child care rules
Choose the current rules for your program category and confirm the effective edition with the agency.
Open resource ↗Background checksCentral Background Registry
Confirm who must be checked, the required documents and the timing before arranging checks.
Open resource ↗Professional developmentOregon Registry Online (myORO)
Find professional-development guidance and confirm the exact course, format and certificate for your role.
Open resource ↗Family resourcesChild care safety and inspection history
Information for families and finding care; use the provider guidance for an application.
Open resource ↗Inspection recordsOregon 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 assistanceOregon subsidy resources
Find the state program that helps eligible families pay for care and ask how providers participate.
Open assistance resources ↗Meal reimbursementOregon CACFP finder
Start with the USDA and state directories for family day care home sponsors and program contacts.
Find food-program contacts →Insurance regulatorOregon 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 →