If you are interested in starting your own business and you love children, then you may want to consider opening a home daycare center. If you live in Colorado and want to start a home daycare you must follow the rules and regulations established by the Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Child Care. In Colorado, you are required to hold a home daycare license if you care for two or more children that are not related to you. Below you will find all of the information you need to apply for a Colorado home daycare license.
Licensing Requirements:
Prior to applying for a Colorado home daycare license, you will need to review the Rules Regarding Family Child Care document found on the Colorado Secretary of State Licensing Center website as well as the Child Care Resource Packet provided by the Colorado Department of Human Services, both of which are available below under the Sources section.
After you have reviewed this information, which covers requirements for the home, you will then need to fill out the Original Application for a Family Care Home License, provided by the Colorado Department of Human Services. As of 2011, this 3-page application requires information regarding the applicant as well as the type of child care home facility you wish to apply for. There are six options, which include: Family Child Care Home, Family Child Care Home for 3 children under 2 years of age, Infant/Toddler Home, Large Family Child Care Home, Experienced Family Child Care Home Provider (which requires a minimum of 6 years as a licensed home child care provider), and lastly the Family Foster Home. The exact rules and regulations for each of the home provider options vary, thus review the aforementioned documentation to determine the exact rules.
This application requires the names, social security numbers and other information for all persons who live in the home as well as information regarding any criminal convictions for persons living in the home.
After you have successfully completed the application, you will need to submit the appropriate fees for the type of home facility you wish to gain licensure for. As of 2011, the fee structure is broken down as follows:
Family Child Care Home with 1 to 8 children carries a $24 fee; Large Family Child Care Homes with 7 to 12 children carries a $36 fee and an Experienced Family Child Care Home License requires a $39 application fee and a $39 Continuation fee.
Mail all of the necessary materials, including the application fee, to:
Colorado Department of Human Services
Division of Child care
1575 Sherman Street, 1st Floor
Denver, CO 80203-1714
Sources:
http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/childcare/PDFs/fcapplication.PDF
Colorado Department of Human Services: Original Application for a Family Care Home License
http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/childcare/FAQ.htm
Colorado Department of Human Services: Licensing FAQ
http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/childcare/CBC_home.htm
Colorado Department of Human Services: Criminal Background Check Unit
http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/childcare/CCResourcePacket.htm
Colorado Department of Human Services: Child Care Resource (Includes link to Secretary of State Document)
