How to Start a Daycare in Nevada (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Opening a daycare in Nevada requires a license from the Nevada Division of Social Services (DSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL). A license is required any time you provide care to more than 4 unrelated children for compensation. Nevada offers six license types to accommodate home-based providers, employer-sponsored childcare, and commercial childcare centers. All staff must pass FBI and Nevada DPS background checks before having unsupervised contact with children.

Nevada’s childcare industry faces high demand, particularly in Clark County (Las Vegas), where population growth has consistently outpaced childcare capacity. The licensing process typically takes 60-90 days from initial application. This guide covers the process from official Nevada sources.

Daycare Requirements in Nevada at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation (3 filings)	Nevada Secretary of State	$425 total	1-3 business days
Child Care License Application	DSS Child Care Licensing (CCL)	$50	60-90 days
License Fee (by capacity)	DSS CCL	$20-$300 (sliding scale)	Included in application
FBI/NV DPS Background Checks	Nevada DPS	~$50-$80/person	4-6 weeks
Zoning / Building Approval	Local Planning Dept	Varies	2-6 weeks
Fire Safety Inspection	Local Fire Marshal	Varies	1-2 weeks
General Liability Insurance	Private Carrier	$2,000-$5,000/year	Before opening
Workers’ Comp Insurance	Private Carrier	Varies by payroll	At first employee
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)

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

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Register an LLC through SilverFlume. Three simultaneous filings are required: Articles of Organization ($75), State Business License ($200), and Initial List of Managers ($150) – total $425. Annual renewal is $350/year. Nevada’s no income tax policy benefits childcare business owners significantly.

Step 2: Choose Your License Type

Nevada’s DSS Child Care Licensing (CCL) offers six license categories. A license is required when providing paid care to more than 4 unrelated children:

License Type	Setting	Capacity
Family Care	Home-based	Up to 6 children
Group Care	Home-based (larger)	Up to 12 children
Childcare Center	Commercial/standalone facility	12+ children
Accommodation Facility	On-site at employer	Up to 3 hours care
On-Site (Employer)	Employer’s workplace	Employer staff children only
Institution	Residential care	At-risk youth

Most new childcare businesses start with a Family Care (home-based) or Childcare Center license. Home-based care is generally lower cost to start; centers allow larger capacities and enrollment.

Step 3: Prepare Your Facility

Your facility must meet Nevada regulations before your license is approved. Key requirements:

Zoning approval: Home-based care must comply with residential zoning. Commercial centers need commercial or mixed-use zoning. Contact your local planning department.
Indoor space: Minimum 35 square feet per child of usable indoor activity space
Outdoor space: Outdoor play area required for centers; minimum 75 square feet per child using the area at one time
Fire safety: Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, evacuation plan, fire marshal inspection required
Health/sanitation: Proper handwashing facilities, diaper changing areas (if serving infants), safe storage for cleaning supplies and medications
Fencing: Required for outdoor play areas at commercial centers

Step 4: Complete Background Checks for All Staff

All staff members, volunteers, and household members at home-based care (anyone with potential unsupervised contact with children) must complete:

FBI fingerprint background check – conducted through Nevada’s authorized fingerprinting system
Nevada DPS (Department of Public Safety) background check
Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check

Background checks must be cleared before staff have unsupervised contact with children. Total cost: approximately $50-$80 per person. Timeline: 4-6 weeks. Contact DSS CCL for current fingerprinting procedures as processes can change.

Step 5: Complete Required Training Before Opening

Nevada requires specific training to be completed before or within the first 90 days of operation:

CPR and First Aid certification – must be in-person (not online); must cover infants and children
Recognizing Signs of Illness in Children
Bloodborne Pathogens training
Mandatory Reporting requirements (Nevada is a mandatory reporter state – all childcare staff must report suspected abuse/neglect)

Annual continuing education requirement: 24 hours per year for licensed staff, including at least 2 hours in health and wellness topics.

Step 6: Submit Your License Application to DSS CCL

Apply through the Nevada DSS Child Care Licensing office. Contact information:

Southern Nevada (Las Vegas): (702) 486-3822 | ChildCareLicensing@dwss.nv.gov
Northern Nevada (Reno): (775) 684-4463
Online licensing system: https://nvdpbh.aithent.com

Fee	Amount
Initial application fee (non-refundable)	$50
License fee (5-6 children capacity)	$20
License fee (up to 100 children)	Up to ~$200
License fee (up to 200 children)	Up to $300

Submit your application with: completed forms, proof of background clearances, training certificates, facility floor plans, proof of zoning approval, insurance certificates, and any required references or employment history.

Step 7: Staff-to-Child Ratios (Childcare Centers)

Nevada sets minimum staff-to-child ratios for childcare centers. You must maintain these ratios at all times during operating hours:

Age Group	Maximum Ratio
Infants (under 9 months)	1 staff : 4 children
Toddlers (9 months – 18 months)	1 staff : 6 children
Toddlers (18 months – 3 years)	1 staff : 8 children
Preschool (3-5 years)	1 staff : 13 children
School-age (5+ years)	1 staff : 20 children

Cost to Start a Daycare in Nevada

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation (3 filings)	$425	One-time; SilverFlume
Annual State Renewals	$350/year	Annual List + Business License
CCL Application Fee	$50	Non-refundable
CCL License Fee	$20-$300	Sliding scale by capacity
Background Checks	$50-$80/person	FBI + NV DPS per staff member
CPR/First Aid Training	$50-$100/person	In-person, must cover infants/children
Building Modifications (centers)	$5,000-$30,000+	Varies widely by facility condition
Equipment and Furnishings	$3,000-$10,000	Cribs, mats, toys, tables, educational materials
General Liability Insurance	$2,000-$5,000/year	Childcare-specific policy recommended
Workers’ Comp Insurance	Varies by payroll	Required at 1 employee in Nevada
Federal EIN	Free	Apply at IRS.gov

Estimated startup cost (home-based Family Care): $3,000-$8,000
Estimated startup cost (commercial center): $20,000-$80,000+

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to run a daycare in Nevada?

Yes. A license from the Nevada Division of Social Services Child Care Licensing (CCL) is required any time you provide paid care to more than 4 unrelated children. Caring for 4 or fewer unrelated children for compensation may not require a license, but caring for 5 or more does regardless of setting.

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

The licensing process typically takes 60-90 days from submitting your complete application, assuming no deficiencies are found. Background checks alone can take 4-6 weeks. Starting the process early and having your facility ready before applying significantly reduces delays.

What are Nevada’s staff-to-child ratios for daycares?

For childcare centers: 1:4 for infants under 9 months, 1:6 for toddlers 9-18 months, 1:8 for toddlers 18 months-3 years, 1:13 for preschoolers, and 1:20 for school-age children. These ratios must be maintained at all times during operating hours.

What background checks are required for daycare workers in Nevada?

All staff with potential unsupervised contact with children must pass an FBI fingerprint background check and a Nevada DPS background check, along with a Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check. Background clearances must be complete before staff have unsupervised contact with children. Cost is approximately $50-$80 per person.

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

A home-based Family Care license (up to 6 children) typically costs $3,000-$8,000 to start, covering LLC formation, licensing fees, background checks, training, equipment, and insurance. A commercial childcare center costs significantly more: $20,000-$80,000+, depending primarily on facility build-out costs.

Can I run a daycare from my home in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada offers a Family Care license for home-based providers serving up to 6 children, and a Group Care license for home-based providers serving up to 12. Home-based care still requires DSS CCL licensing, background checks for all household members, fire safety compliance, and appropriate home insurance coverage.

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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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