How to Start a Daycare in Maine (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Opening a daycare in Maine requires a license from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS). Any person providing care for three or more unrelated children must be licensed – whether operating a family child care in their home or a larger childcare center. Maine’s licensing process is thorough: background checks, facility inspections, staff training, and compliance with detailed child-to-staff ratio requirements are all required before you open. This guide covers every step using official 2026 sources.

Daycare Requirements in Maine at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Family Child Care License (3-12 children in provider’s home)	Maine DHHS / OCFS	$160 (initial and renewal)	60-90 days typical
Child Care Facility License (13+ children)	Maine DHHS / OCFS	$120 initial / $240 renewal	90-120 days typical
Background Checks (all staff & household members)	Maine DHHS / State Police / FBI	Varies ($21-$50 per person)	Allow 30-60 days
Fire Marshal Inspection	Maine Office of State Fire Marshal	Free (state inspectors)	Scheduled by OCFS as part of licensing
LLC Formation	Maine Secretary of State	$175	5-10 business days (mail)
Annual Report	Maine Secretary of State	$85/year	Due June 1 each year
Workers’ Compensation	Licensed private insurer	Varies by payroll	Required before 1st employee
CPR / First Aid Certification	AHA, Red Cross, or approved provider	$30-$80 per person	Required before opening

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

Step 1: Determine Your License Type

Maine licenses childcare in two main categories:

• Family Child Care Provider License: For care in the provider’s own home for 3 to 12 children under age 13. This is the license for in-home daycares. Governed by Maine DHHS Rule 10-148, Chapter 33.
• Child Care Facility License: For facilities caring for 13 or more children under age 13 (e.g., a daycare center in a commercial building). Governed by Maine DHHS Rule 10-148, Chapter 32.

Important: Anyone providing care for 3 or more unrelated children on a regular basis must be licensed. Informal babysitting arrangements for 1-2 children do not require a license.

Step 2: Form Your Business Entity

While not required to apply for a childcare license, forming an LLC protects your personal assets from business liability. Mail a Certificate of Formation to the Maine Secretary of State with a $175 fee. Processing takes 5-10 business days. The annual report costs $85, due by June 1 each year.

Step 3: Complete Pre-Licensing Training

Before submitting your license application, you must complete Maine’s required pre-licensing training. Contact Maine DHHS OCFS Children’s Licensing and Investigation Services at (207) 287-3707 or visit maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/provider-resources/child-care-licensing to review current training requirements. Maine’s childcare training system is coordinated through the Maine Roads to Quality professional development network.

Step 4: Complete Background Checks for All Adults

Maine requires background checks for every person in a childcare setting who has unsupervised access to children. This includes:

• The license applicant/owner
• All household members at a family child care home (anyone age 16 and older)
• All staff, aides, and volunteers
• Background checks must be renewed at least every 5 years

Background checks include:

• Fingerprint-based check (Maine State Police and FBI)
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) check
• National Sex Offender Registry check
• State child abuse and neglect registry check (Maine)
• Multi-state child abuse registry check

Governed by: 10-148, Chapter 34 – Child Care Provider Background Check Licensing Rule. Any person with a disqualifying criminal conviction or substantiated child abuse finding will be denied a license.

Step 5: Prepare Your Facility

Maine DHHS will inspect your facility before issuing a license. Key requirements include:

• Space: Minimum indoor floor space per child (35 sq ft of usable activity space per child for centers)
• Outdoor space: Age-appropriate outdoor play area or access to a nearby park
• Lead hazards: Buildings constructed before 1978 must complete a lead hazard survey; results must be submitted with the license application
• Fire safety: Working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, emergency exit routes, fire marshal inspection required
• Emergency supplies: First aid kit, emergency contact lists, written emergency plan
• Health and sanitation: Safe food handling if meals are served, diapering stations if serving infants

Step 6: Submit Your License Application

Submit your completed application, required documentation, and fee to Maine DHHS OCFS Children’s Licensing and Investigation Services. Access the application through the Provider Portal at som04.my.site.com/provider.

License fees:

• Family child care initial application: $160
• Family child care renewal: $160
• Child care facility initial application: $120
• Child care facility renewal: $240

A DHHS licensor will contact you to schedule a site visit after your application is received and reviewed.

Step 7: Pass the Site Inspection

A Maine DHHS licensor will conduct a comprehensive inspection of your facility. A fire marshal inspection is also required. If any deficiencies are found, you will receive a corrective action plan and must address issues before your license is issued. Allow 60-120 days from application submission to license receipt.

Step 8: Get Insurance and Workers’ Compensation

Maine requires workers’ compensation for any business with 1 or more employees. For a licensed childcare center, you will almost certainly have employees and must have workers’ comp coverage from the first hire. Additionally, carry adequate liability insurance – Maine does not mandate a specific minimum for childcare, but $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate is the industry standard.

Maine Childcare Staff-to-Child Ratios

Maine sets strict staff-to-child ratios that you must maintain at all times during operating hours:

Age Group	Maximum Ratio (Staff:Children)
6 weeks – 2 years (infants/toddlers)	1:4
2 – 5 years (preschool)	1:8
Over 5 years (school-age)	1:12 (or 1:13 for larger centers)

Centers with 7 or more children present must maintain a minimum of 2 staff members at all times.

Cost to Start a Daycare in Maine

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation	$175	One-time; mailed to Secretary of State
Annual Report (first year)	$85	Due June 1 each year
DHHS License Application Fee	$120-$160	Family care $160; center $120 initial
Background Checks (per adult)	$21-$50 per person	Required for all adults with child access
CPR / First Aid Certification (per staff)	$30-$80 per person	Required for all staff
Pre-Licensing Training	$0-$200	Some training available free through Maine Roads to Quality
Lead Hazard Survey (pre-1978 buildings)	$200-$500	Required if building built before 1978
Facility Improvements / Childproofing	$500-$5,000+	Safety gates, outlet covers, equipment, outdoor play area
General Liability Insurance	$800-$2,500/year	$1M per occurrence minimum recommended
Workers’ Compensation	$600-$2,000/year per employee	Mandatory from first hire
Educational Materials, Toys & Supplies	$500-$3,000	Age-appropriate equipment and curriculum materials

Estimated total startup cost: $2,500 – $15,000+ (family child care in-home); commercial centers much higher

Related Maine Business Guides

• How to Start a Cleaning Service in Maine
• How to Start a Food Truck in Maine
• How to Start an HVAC Business in Maine
• How to Start a Hair Salon in Maine
• How to Start a Landscaping Business in Maine
• How to Become a Private Investigator in Maine

← Back to all Maine business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to open a daycare in Maine?

Yes – any person providing care for 3 or more unrelated children on a regular basis must be licensed by Maine DHHS OCFS. This applies to both in-home family child care (3-12 children) and commercial childcare centers (13+ children). Caring for 1-2 unrelated children informally does not require a state license, but check your local zoning rules.

How long does it take to get a Maine daycare license?

Allow 60-120 days from application submission to license issuance. The timeline depends on how quickly background checks clear, how soon your facility passes inspection, and the current workload at DHHS OCFS. Starting the background check process and pre-licensing training before submitting your application can speed things up.

What are Maine’s daycare staff-to-child ratios?

Maine requires: 1:4 for infants (6 weeks to 2 years), 1:8 for preschoolers (2-5 years), and 1:12 or 1:13 for school-age children (5+). Centers with 7 or more children present at any time must have at least 2 staff members on-site at all times.

What background checks are required for Maine daycare staff?

All staff, household members at family child care homes, and anyone with unsupervised access to children must complete: fingerprinting, an FBI criminal database check, NCIC check, National Sex Offender Registry check, Maine child abuse/neglect registry check, and multi-state child abuse registry check. Background checks must be renewed at least every 5 years. Anyone with a disqualifying conviction or substantiated abuse finding cannot work in childcare.

What insurance does a Maine daycare need?

Maine requires workers’ compensation for any business with 1+ employees – mandatory for any childcare center with staff. For liability, the industry standard is $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate general liability insurance. Maine does not set a specific minimum GL requirement for licensed childcare providers, but your licensor and landlord will typically expect coverage. Some providers also carry abuse and molestation coverage.