How to Start a Daycare in Illinois (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a daycare in Illinois means navigating one of the most heavily regulated childcare systems in the country. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) oversees all licensing, and requirements include extensive background checks, mandatory training hours, strict staff-to-child ratios, and regular facility inspections.

The good news: the DCFS license itself is free, and Illinois has strong demand for quality childcare across the state. This guide covers every requirement, cost, and step to legally open and operate a daycare in Illinois.

Daycare Requirements in Illinois at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	IL Secretary of State	$150	Several weeks (mail) or 4-5 days (online + $100)
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)
DCFS Day Care License	IL DCFS	Free	3-6 months
Background Checks (all staff + household members 13+)	DCFS / Illinois State Police / FBI	Free	2-6 weeks
Pre-Service Training (home providers)	DCFS-approved trainers	$0-$200	15 hours before licensing
CPR/First Aid Certification	American Red Cross / AHA	$50-$100	1 day
DCFS Facility Inspection	DCFS	Free	Scheduled during application
Local Business License	City/village clerk	Varies	1-2 weeks
General Liability Insurance	Commercial insurer	$1,000-$3,000/year	Same day
Workers’ Comp (any employees)	Commercial insurer	Varies by payroll	Same day

How to Start a Daycare in Illinois (Step by Step)

Step 1: Choose Your Daycare Type and Form Your LLC

Illinois DCFS recognizes several daycare license types:

License Type	Capacity	Setting
Day Care Home	Up to 8 children (including provider’s own under 12)	Residential
Day Care Home (with assistant)	Up to 12 children	Residential
Group Day Care Home	Up to 12 children (with additional restrictions)	Residential
Day Care Center	No specific cap (determined by space, ratios, licensing)	Commercial/non-residential

File Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State ($150). Then get your free EIN from the IRS.

Step 2: Complete Background Checks

Illinois has extensive background check requirements for anyone involved in childcare:

• Who must be checked: All staff, volunteers, and everyone age 13+ living in a day care home
• Persons 18+ receive full checks including:
  • Illinois State Police criminal history
  • FBI fingerprint check (national criminal history)
  • State and National Sex Offender Registry
  • DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS)
  • Child abuse/neglect registry of any other state of residence
• Cost: Free (DCFS does not charge for background checks)
• Timeline: 2-6 weeks for full results

Step 3: Complete Required Training

Day Care Home / Group Day Care Home Providers

15 hours of DCFS-approved pre-service training before licensure, covering:

• Medication administration
• Prevention and response to food and allergic reactions
• Building and physical premises safety
• Emergency preparedness and response
• Lead safety in water
• Child development basics
• Child guidance and discipline (corporal punishment is prohibited)
• Nutrition and feeding

Day Care Center Directors

• Minimum 21 years of age
• Minimum 60 semester hours of college credit with at least 18 hours related to child development or early childhood education
• At least 1 year of experience in a licensed childcare center serving children under age 6
• Illinois Director Credential encouraged (requires Associate’s degree or higher + 1,200 hours administrative experience)
• Director must be present during hours of operation

Group Day Care Home Assistants

• 6 hours of college coursework in early childhood or child development
• Additional in-service training required annually

All Providers and Staff

• Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certification (adult, child, and infant) with hands-on skills component
• Cost: $50-$100 through American Red Cross or AHA

Step 4: Prepare Your Facility

Your facility must meet DCFS safety and sanitation standards before licensing. Key requirements:

• Adequate indoor and outdoor play space
• Age-appropriate equipment and furniture
• Safe and clean environment (fire safety, electrical outlets covered, hazardous materials secured)
• Nutritious meals and snacks provided
• Separate space for infants and toddlers from older children
• Proper hand-washing facilities
• Working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers

Step 5: Apply for Your DCFS License

Submit your application through the DCFS licensing portal.

• License fee: FREE (DCFS does not charge for the license)
• Renewal: Every 3 years
• Timeline: 3-6 months from application to licensure
• DCFS will schedule a facility inspection as part of the process

Step 6: Understand Staff-to-Child Ratios

Illinois enforces strict ratios for day care centers:

Age Group	Staff-to-Child Ratio
Infants (6 weeks – 14 months)	1:4
Toddlers (15 – 23 months)	1:5
Preschool (2 – 5 years)	1:8
School-age (5+ years)	1:10

Day care homes (mixed-age groups): Up to 8 children under 12, with a maximum of 5 under age 5 and no more than 3 under 24 months.

Cost to Start a Daycare in Illinois

Home Day Care (Up to 8 Children)

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation	$150	One-time
Federal EIN	Free	Online at IRS.gov
DCFS License	Free	Renewed every 3 years
Background Checks	Free	DCFS covers cost
Pre-Service Training (15 hours)	$0-$200	Some courses are free
CPR/First Aid Certification	$50-$100	Must maintain current
Local Business License	$50-$300	Varies by municipality
General Liability Insurance	$1,000-$2,000/year	Strongly recommended
Childcare Equipment & Supplies	$1,000-$5,000	Cribs, toys, safety gates, etc.
Home Modifications (safety)	$500-$3,000	Outlet covers, gates, fire safety
Estimated total: $2,950-$10,950

Day Care Center

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation + EIN	$150	One-time
DCFS License	Free	Renewed every 3 years
Background Checks	Free	All staff
Training & Certifications	$200-$500	CPR/First Aid + pre-service
Facility Lease (first/last + deposit)	$3,000-$15,000	Varies by location
Facility Build-Out & Equipment	$10,000-$50,000	Age-appropriate furnishings, playground
General Liability Insurance	$2,000-$5,000/year	Higher for centers
Workers’ Comp Insurance	$1,000-$5,000/year	Required with any employees
Local Business License	$50-$500	Varies by municipality
Marketing / Website	$500-$2,000	Optional at start
Estimated total: $16,900-$78,150

Related Illinois Business Guides

• Starting a Business in Illinois: Complete Guide

← Back to all Illinois business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a DCFS daycare license cost in Illinois?

The DCFS daycare license itself is free. Background checks are also free. However, you’ll have costs for training, CPR certification, equipment, insurance, and facility preparation. A home daycare can launch for $2,950-$10,950, while a center typically costs $16,900-$78,150.

What background checks are required for Illinois daycare workers?

Illinois requires comprehensive background checks including Illinois State Police criminal history, FBI fingerprinting, sex offender registry, and DCFS CANTS (Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System). Everyone age 13+ living in a day care home must be checked. All checks are free through DCFS.

What are the staff-to-child ratios in Illinois?

Illinois enforces strict ratios: 1:4 for infants (6 weeks – 14 months), 1:5 for toddlers (15-23 months), 1:8 for preschoolers (2-5 years), and 1:10 for school-age children. Home daycares with mixed ages can have up to 8 children, with limits on younger age groups.

How long does it take to get a daycare license in Illinois?

The full process from application to licensure typically takes 3-6 months. This includes background check processing (2-6 weeks), completing required training, facility preparation, and the DCFS inspection. The license is valid for 3 years.

Can I run a daycare from my home in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois licenses both home-based and center-based daycares. A Day Care Home license allows up to 8 children (including your own under 12). With an assistant, you can care for up to 12 children. You’ll need to meet DCFS safety standards and verify your local zoning allows it.

What training do I need to open a daycare in Illinois?

Home daycare providers need 15 hours of DCFS-approved pre-service training covering medication, safety, child development, and nutrition. Center directors need 60 college credit hours (18 in child development) plus 1 year of experience. All providers must maintain current CPR/AED/First Aid certification.