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Starting a Family Child Care Home

Starting a Family Child Care Home has many advantages. Currently it is the most popular form of child care in Maine; many parents prefer a home setting as a placement for their young children. In addition, it allows the provider an opportunity to operate a business in their own home.

If you care for more than two children, you must be licensed by the State of Maine. "Rules for Home Day Care Providers" (Microsoft Word)(Adobe PDF)(free viewer) were approved by the Maine Legislature in 2006. Please review these rules as you will need to comply with them in order to become a Certified Home Day Care Provider.

The first step in starting a Family Child Care home is to request a Licensing packet by calling (207) 287-5049.

You will be sent a packet containing:

  • Rules for Home Day Care Providers,
  • Informational booklet on Fire Prevention and Life Safety Requirements,
  • Information about the Child and Adult Care Food Program,
  • Authorization for the release of personal history information for all adult members of your household and any staff
  • Information about municipal ordinances,
  • Information about the required lead inspection,
  • Instructions and information about the fire marshal inspection,
  • and an application for a Certification to Operate a Family Child Care. The application asks for basic information about you and your household and also requests three references.

Please note that the application form is available on-line for you to review. Please request a full packet if you are applying for Certification. Receiving the full packet by mail will ensure that you have all of the information that is required.

The Certification process will not begin until all forms from the Licensing packet have been returned to our office, along with the application fee of $40. The process to become Certified generally takes at least three months from the time we receive your completed application.
The process to become certified generally takes three months from the time we receive your completed application.

 

The State Fire Marshall's Office will be contacted and asked to inspect your home as soon as possible. The Child Care Resource Development Centers in your area and the Food Program will also be notified that you have applied. Both organizations can be very helpful to those about to enter the child care business.

Additional requirements to become a Certified Home Day Care Provider include being Certified in CPR and First Aid, completing 6 hours of training in a "Getting Started in Family Child Care" class which is offered through your Resource Development Center, and getting an acceptable water test if you are not on public water.

A Licensing Worker from the Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit, will be in contact with you after your application is received to schedule a site visit to your home. He or she will discuss your plans for operating a day care home, inspect the space you intend to use, and offer any assistance that you might need in order to obtain a Certificate allowing you to care for three or more children.

If you have any questions about the Certification process, please contact the Child Care Licensing Unit and speak with a Licensing worker or support staff at (207) 287-5060.