Child Care
Resource Service

If the number of unrelated children you provide care for, is more than three (including your own children under age 12), you will need to obtain a child care license from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Can I be license-exempt?

If you provide care for only three or fewer children under the age of thirteen, including your own, or children from a single household or only children related to you, then you may be license-exempt.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) policy differs from DCFS in that while DCFS allows you to care for numerous children that are all related, IDHS only allows payment if the children are all from the same household family. If they are related and but not from the same household, the limit is 3 children. Under the guidelines of providing legal care, submitting necessary forms, and passing background checks, you will be able to receive payments at the License-exempt rate from IL DHS to care for children who are receiving state assistance.

Are there other forms of child care that can be license-exempt?

The State of Illinois Compiled Statutes law commonly known as the "Child Care Act of 1969" (225 IL CS 10/) regulates who is required to be licensed and who may qualify to be license-exempt. Family child care homes are not the only form of child care that may be license-exempt. Certain programs may be exempt for licensure. If you do not see a "Child Care License" prominately displayed, ask your child care provider which exemption they meet under Rule 377, to be license-exempt. To obtain a copy of the rules for programs that may be exempt, visit the following link to the State of Illinois:

What's required to get a license?

You must contact your local Department of Children and Family Services to obtain an appication and submit it for processing.

no fee is charged to get a child care license
you are expected to provide a safe and healthy home environment with adequate equipment and space
must be at least 18 years of age
must enjoy working with children
must have a good understanding of the physical and emotional needs of young children
must be certified in CPR, First Aid, and the Heimlich Maneuver
must be fingerprinted by DCFS and pass a background check

SUMMARY OF LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD CARE HOMES

A family child care home in Illinois must:

Be well ventilated, free from observable hazards, and be properly lighted and heated.
Be equipped with an ABC fire extinguisher and one smoke detector on every floor including the attic and basement.
Be free from chipped or peeling paint on walls and surfaces. Furniture and equipment must be in safe repair.
Have at least one exit directly to the outside if the basement area is to be used for child care.
Have a first aid kit.
Must have a working phone number.
Have a place to isolate a child who becomes ill.
Have protective coverings over electrical outlets.
Have partitions placed around space heaters, fireplaces, radiators, or other heat sources to keep children from touching them.
Have storage areas inaccessible to children for tools, gardening equipment, and other hazardous materials.
Have a safe outdoor space for active play, such as a yard, nearby park, or a playground. Play space must be protected by a fence or caretaker supervision against hazards such as traffic, pools, or construction.
All members in the caregiver's family must have a medical check-up and a negative TB test.
Assistants must also have a medical check-up and a negative TB test. Assistants must be at least 14 years old and be five years older than the oldest child in their care.
Pets must be certified as healthy from a licensed, practicing veterinarian and have an up-to-date rabies shot.
Applicants must sign a permission form allowing DCFS to conduct a background check to look for past conviction of child abuse and neglect and be fingerprinted.
Applicants must obtain their landlord's permission to operate a family child care business in their home if they rent.

IL DCFS Licensing Offices Contact Information

If you feel you are ready to request application materials for becoming licensed, call the Department of Children and Family Services in your county.

Champaign County:
2125 S. First St.
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 278-5300

Vermilion and Iroquois Counties:
401 N Franklin
Danville, IL 61832
(217) 443-3200

Macon, Douglas and Piatt Counties:
2900 N Oakland
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 875-6750

DCFS Regional Office
2125 S. First St
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 278-5500

DCFS 800 Numbers:
Provider Information Line: 1-877-746-0829
1-800-252-2873

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME RATIOS

Per DCFS Standard 406.13. . .

Up to 5 children may be under the age of 5, of which Up to 3 children may be under 24 months of age.

A mixed age group consisting of:

Up to 8 children under the age of 12, of which

Up to 6 children may be under the age of 5, of which

Up to 2 chilren may be under 30 months of age.

Contact DCFS for additional ratio information.

Guides for Starting Family Child Care Homes or Day Care Centers

Are you interested in starting your own Family Child Care business or perhaps opening a Child Care Center? The following documents in PDF format, are one available resource from the Illinois Child Care Information Series. To request a pre-printed booklet be mailed to you, contact us. Other materials my be available to assist you further.