How to Start a Daycare in Louisiana (2026 Guide)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a daycare in Louisiana requires obtaining a Type III Child Care License from the Louisiana Department of Education (which assumed licensing responsibilities from DCFS on October 1, 2014). Any facility serving 7 or more children for 12.5 hours or more per week must be licensed. This guide covers every license, permit, background check, and facility requirement to legally operate a daycare center in Louisiana in 2026. Operating without a license carries penalties of up to $1,000 per day.

Daycare Requirements in Louisiana at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Type III Child Care License	Louisiana Department of Education	Varies by parish	2-6 months
Child Care Background Check (CCCBC)	Louisiana Department of Education	$30 per person	2-4 weeks
CPR & Pediatric First Aid	Approved training provider	$50-$150 per person	1 day course
Medication Administration Training	Approved training provider	$25-$75	2-4 hours
Fire Marshal inspection	State Fire Marshal’s Office	Varies by facility	1-2 weeks
Health & sanitation inspection	Parish health department	Included in license process	1-2 weeks
LLC Formation (recommended)	Louisiana Secretary of State	$100	5-10 business days
General liability insurance	Private insurance carrier	$1,500-$4,000/year	1-3 business days

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

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Start by forming an LLC to protect your personal assets from business liabilities:

File Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State through the GeauxBiz portal
Choose a business name that includes “LLC”
Designate a registered agent with a physical Louisiana address
Pay the $100 filing fee
File an Annual Report each year by your formation anniversary date ($30 fee)

Step 2: Understand Louisiana Child Care Licensing Requirements

Louisiana requires a Type III Child Care License for any facility serving 7 or more children for 12.5 hours or more per week. Licensing is managed by the Louisiana Department of Education (responsibility transferred from DCFS on October 1, 2014).

Who needs a license:

Child care centers
Family child care homes (6+ children)
In-home providers (serving multiple families)

Who is exempt:

Programs operating less than 12.5 hours per week
Facilities serving fewer than 7 children
School-based programs during regular school hours

Step 3: Secure a Facility

Your daycare facility must meet Louisiana’s minimum standards for child care centers:

Indoor space: Minimum 35 square feet per child (not including hallways, bathrooms, and storage)
Outdoor play space: Minimum 75 square feet per child (if serving children 12 months and older)
Bathrooms: At least one toilet and sink for every 15 children, accessible to children
Safety requirements: Working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and childproofing (outlet covers, cabinet locks, etc.)
Kitchen facilities: If preparing meals, must meet health department food service requirements

Zoning: Verify with your parish zoning office that your location is zoned for child care use.

Step 4: Complete Child Care Background Checks (CCCBC)

All staff members, volunteers who have unsupervised contact with children, and household members (if operating from a home) must complete a Child Care Background Check (CCCBC):

Apply online through the Louisiana Department of Education
Fee: $30 per person
Processing time: 2-4 weeks
Includes FBI fingerprinting, state criminal history, sex offender registry checks, and child abuse registry checks
Valid for 5 years

Disqualifying factors: Felony convictions, certain misdemeanors, substantiated child abuse findings, and sex offender registry listings.

Step 5: Get CPR and Pediatric First Aid Certification

All child care staff must be certified in CPR and Pediatric First Aid from an approved training provider:

Must be American Heart Association or American Red Cross certified
Course covers infant and child CPR, choking, allergic reactions, and basic first aid
Cost: $50-$150 per person
Certification valid for 2 years
At least one certified staff member must be present at all times when children are in care

Step 6: Complete Medication Administration Training

If you will be administering medications to children (including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, or emergency medications like epinephrine auto-injectors), at least one staff member must complete Medication Administration Training:

Approved training providers offer online or in-person courses
Cost: $25-$75
Covers proper medication storage, documentation, administration procedures, and emergency protocols
Valid for 3 years

Step 7: Apply for Your Type III Child Care License

Submit your application to the Louisiana Department of Education Division of Early Childhood:

Contact: [email protected]
Complete the Type III Child Care License application
Provide proof of facility ownership or lease agreement
Submit background check clearances for all staff and household members
Provide proof of CPR/First Aid certification
Submit staff-to-child ratio plan
Pay the license application fee (varies by parish)

Step 8: Pass Facility Inspections

Before receiving your license, your facility must pass inspections from multiple agencies:

Fire Marshal inspection:

Contact the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office to schedule
Inspector will check smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, emergency exits, evacuation plans, and overall fire safety
Annual inspections required for continued licensing

Health and sanitation inspection:

Your parish health department will inspect food preparation areas, diaper changing stations, handwashing facilities, and overall cleanliness
If serving meals, you may need a separate food service permit

Licensing specialist inspection:

A Louisiana Department of Education licensing specialist will conduct a comprehensive facility inspection
Evaluates compliance with minimum standards for space, equipment, safety, and operational procedures

Step 9: Get Business Insurance

General liability insurance: Protects your business from claims of child injury, property damage, or negligence. Recommended coverage: $1-2 million. Annual cost: $1,500-$4,000 depending on enrollment capacity.

Professional liability insurance: Covers claims of negligence in childcare services (failure to supervise, etc.).

Property insurance: Covers damage to your facility and equipment.

Workers’ compensation insurance: Required if you have even one employee.

Step 10: Set Up Operations and Enrollment

Create enrollment forms and parent contracts
Develop a parent handbook with policies, schedules, and procedures
Establish emergency procedures and evacuation plans
Set up record-keeping systems for attendance, incident reports, and medication logs
Create a child development curriculum aligned with Louisiana Early Learning Standards
Purchase supplies, equipment, toys, and learning materials
Begin accepting enrollments (maintain required staff-to-child ratios at all times)

Cost to Start a Daycare in Louisiana

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation	$100	Louisiana Secretary of State
Type III Child Care License	Varies by parish	Initial application and annual renewal
Background checks (CCCBC)	$30 per person	Required for all staff and household members
CPR & First Aid certification	$50-$150 per person	Required for all staff
Medication Administration Training	$25-$75	At least one staff member
Facility lease/purchase	Varies widely	Depends on location and size
Facility improvements & childproofing	$1,000-$5,000	Safety equipment, fencing, playground
Furniture & equipment	$2,000-$8,000	Tables, chairs, cribs, mats, storage
Toys, books & learning materials	$1,000-$3,000	Age-appropriate supplies
General liability insurance	$1,500-$4,000/year	Coverage for child injuries and claims
Marketing & website	$200-$1,000	Signage, flyers, website, local ads

Estimated total startup cost: $6,000 – $22,000 (excluding facility costs)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Louisiana?

Yes, Louisiana requires a Type III Child Care License from the Louisiana Department of Education for any facility serving 7 or more children for 12.5 hours or more per week. Operating without a license carries penalties of up to $1,000 per day. The license application process includes background checks, facility inspections, and proof of staff training in CPR and First Aid.

How much does it cost to start a daycare in Louisiana?

Starting a daycare in Louisiana typically costs $6,000 to $22,000 excluding facility costs. This includes LLC formation ($100), background checks ($30 per person), CPR/First Aid certification ($50-$150 per person), facility improvements ($1,000-$5,000), furniture and equipment ($2,000-$8,000), toys and learning materials ($1,000-$3,000), and general liability insurance ($1,500-$4,000/year). Facility lease or purchase costs vary widely by location.

What background checks are required for Louisiana daycare workers?

All daycare staff, volunteers with unsupervised contact with children, and household members (if home-based) must complete a Child Care Background Check (CCCBC) through the Louisiana Department of Education. The background check costs $30 per person and includes FBI fingerprinting, state criminal history, sex offender registry checks, and child abuse registry checks. Processing takes 2-4 weeks and clearances are valid for 5 years.

What are the staff-to-child ratios in Louisiana daycares?

Louisiana requires minimum staff-to-child ratios based on age: Infants (0-12 months) require 1 staff per 5 children, toddlers (12-24 months) require 1 staff per 7 children, 2-year-olds require 1 staff per 11 children, 3-year-olds require 1 staff per 13 children, and 4-5 year-olds require 1 staff per 15 children. These ratios must be maintained at all times during operating hours.

Can I run a daycare from my home in Louisiana?

Yes, you can operate a family child care home in Louisiana if you are serving 6 or fewer children (not counting your own children). If you serve 7 or more children, you must obtain a Type III Child Care License. Home-based daycares must meet the same safety, health, and training requirements as center-based facilities. All household members must pass background checks, and the home must pass fire marshal and health inspections.

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

The Louisiana daycare licensing process typically takes 2-6 months from initial application to license approval. This timeline includes completing background checks (2-4 weeks), obtaining CPR/First Aid certification (1 day course), scheduling and passing facility inspections (1-2 weeks per inspection), and final license review by the Louisiana Department of Education. Starting the process early and ensuring all requirements are met before applying can help expedite approval.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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How to Start a Daycare in Louisiana (2026)