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 StudioEspañolTX guide
TX home child care
How to start a home daycare in Texas.
Confirm the Texas HHS Child Care Regulation category that applies to your proposed home or center before selecting an application. Ask which orientation, background checks, qualifications, and training apply to your role and program. TECPDS provides workforce and trainer-registry resources, but a TECPDS record or certificate does not establish a child care permit. Follow HHS’s current instructions for permission to operate.
Source review: September 13, 2026
Reviewed TECPDS workforce and trainer-registry guidance. Detailed HHS licensing, permit and training requirements were not verified.
TECPDS professional-development guidance was reviewed. Detailed HHS application, permit-category and training-requirement changes remain unverified.
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 Texas.
Texas distinguishes listed family homes, registered homes, and licensed homes. The HHS Forms and Handbooks site is the current source for originals; many dynamic PDFs need desktop Adobe Reader.
- Child Care Regulation Provider Center
Submit home applications, renewals, changes, and background-check requests.
Official source ↗ - Plan of Operation for Licensed Center and Home Operations · 2948
Describe the proposed operation as part of licensing.
Official source ↗ - Admission Information · 2935
Collect child admission information.
Official source ↗ - Incident or Illness Report · 7239
Document incident details, medical treatment, and required notifications.
Official source ↗ - Medication Authorization · 7255
Document permission for medication administration.
Official source ↗ - Child Care Regulation Request for Background Check · 2971
Request a CCR background check using the allowed channel.
Official source ↗ - Staff Training Record · 7250
Record staff training activities.
Official source ↗ - Emergency Practices · 7263
Document emergency practice activities.
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 Texas’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.
TECPDS supports professional records, trainer-registry resources and career planning. Confirm HHS acceptance for the particular role and requirement before choosing training.
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.
Professional development
TECPDS workforce and trainer-registry support
Find professional-development guidance and confirm the exact course, format and certificate for your role.
Open resource ↗Provider starting pointTexas HHS child care resources
Identify your provider category and the office responsible for your application.
Open resource ↗Rules and standardsTexas existing rules resource
Existing reference retained. Confirm the current rules and effective edition with the responsible agency.
Open resource ↗Background checksTexas 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 recordsTexas 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 assistanceTexas subsidy resources
Find the state program that helps eligible families pay for care and ask how providers participate.
Open assistance resources ↗Meal reimbursementTexas CACFP finder
Start with the USDA and state directories for family day care home sponsors and program contacts.
Find food-program contacts →Insurance regulatorTexas 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 →