How to Start a Daycare in Washington D.C. (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Starting a daycare in Washington D.C. requires a license from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Any person or organization providing care to children for compensation in D.C. – regardless of the number of children – must hold a child development facility license. OSSE regulates three types of facilities: child development centers (any group setting), child development homes (in-home care for up to 6 children), and expanded child development homes (in-home care for 6-12 children). Before a license is issued, you must attend an OSSE child care orientation, obtain fire and building approvals, pass a lead clearance inspection, and secure a Basic Business License (BBL) from DLCP. D.C.’s childcare licensing is among the most comprehensive in the country.

Daycare Requirements in Washington D.C. at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC or Business Entity Formation	DC DLCP (Corporations Division)	$99 (online/mail)	3-5 business days
OSSE Child Care Orientation	Office of the State Superintendent of Education	Free	Must be attended within 12 months before application
Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit	DC Department of Buildings	Varies	Required before OSSE license application
Fire Safety Approval	DC Fire and EMS	Varies	Required before OSSE license issuance
Lead Clearance	DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)	Varies by facility	Required before OSSE license issuance
OSSE Child Development Facility License	OSSE Licensing and Compliance	Fee set by OSSE (contact for current rates)	Allow 60-120 days for full process
Basic Business License (BBL) – Childcare Endorsement	DC DLCP Business Licensing Division	$70 app + $25/endorsement + 10% tech fee	2-4 weeks
Background Checks (all staff)	FBI / DC Metropolitan Police	Varies per person	Before staff begin working with children

How to Start a Daycare in Washington D.C. (Step by Step)

Step 1: Choose Your Facility Type

OSSE licenses three types of child development facilities in D.C.:

• Child Development Center: Any group childcare setting outside of a private residence. Regulated for any number of children. May be a standalone childcare center, a childcare facility within a church, community center, or other institution.
• Child Development Home (Family Child Care Home): Care provided in the provider’s private residence for up to 6 children. Less regulatory burden than a center but still fully licensed by OSSE.
• Expanded Child Development Home: Care provided in the provider’s private residence for 6 to 12 children. Requires an assistant caregiver and additional compliance requirements.

Contact OSSE Licensing and Compliance: osse.dc.gov/service/licensing-and-compliance. Phone: (202) 727-6436.

Step 2: Attend OSSE Child Care Orientation

Attendance at an OSSE child care orientation is mandatory before you can submit a license application. The orientation must be completed within 12 months before application. Orientations are offered by OSSE and cover licensing standards, health and safety requirements, and the application process. They are typically free of charge. Register for the next available orientation session at osse.dc.gov.

Step 3: Form Your Business Entity and Get an EIN

If incorporating as an LLC or corporation, file with the DLCP Corporations Division. LLC filing fee: $99 online via mybusiness.dc.gov. If you will be operating as a nonprofit, file Articles of Incorporation with DLCP and apply for nonprofit status with the IRS separately. Get a free EIN from the IRS at irs.gov before registering for DC tax accounts. If your entity is incorporated in another state, obtain a “letter of good standing” from that state and register as a foreign entity in D.C. with DLCP.

Step 4: Obtain Building and Fire Approvals

Before OSSE will issue your license, you must provide:

• Certificate of Occupancy (CO): Issued by the DC Department of Buildings (dob.dc.gov) confirming your facility is approved for childcare use. Required for child development centers and expanded child development homes. The CO must match the childcare use type.
• Home Occupation Permit: Required for child development homes operating from the provider’s residence. Apply through DLCP via My DC Business Center.
• Fire Safety Approval: DC Fire and EMS must approve the facility’s compliance with fire code requirements for childcare occupancy. Contact DC Fire and EMS for the inspection and approval process.

Step 5: Pass Lead Clearance Inspection

All D.C. child development facilities must obtain a lead clearance from the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). This inspection verifies that the facility’s environment is free from lead hazards that could harm children. Contact DOEE’s Lead Hazard Prevention and Elimination program: doee.dc.gov. Phone: (202) 535-2600.

Step 6: Background Checks for All Staff

All individuals who work with children at your D.C. childcare facility must pass comprehensive background checks before beginning work. This includes:

• FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check
• DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) criminal background check
• Child abuse and neglect registry check

Background checks must be renewed periodically. Disqualifying offenses include convictions for crimes against children, sexual offenses, violent crimes, and certain drug offenses. All background check requirements are detailed in the OSSE Child Care Licensing Regulations.

Step 7: Apply for OSSE Child Development Facility License

Submit your complete license application package to OSSE Licensing and Compliance. Your application must include:

• Completed OSSE application form
• Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit
• Fire safety approval documentation
• Lead clearance certificate
• Proof of OSSE orientation attendance (within prior 12 months)
• Staff background check documentation
• Letter of good standing if incorporated
• Policies and procedures manual covering health, safety, and program operations

OSSE will conduct an on-site inspection before issuing the license. Allow 60 to 120 days for the complete licensing process. OSSE Licensing and Compliance: osse.dc.gov. Phone: (202) 727-6436.

Step 8: Obtain Your Basic Business License (BBL)

All D.C. childcare businesses must also obtain a Basic Business License (BBL) with the childcare endorsement from the DLCP Business Licensing Division. Fees: $70 application fee + $25 per endorsement + 10% technology surcharge. Renewed every 2 years. Apply online at mybusiness.dc.gov or in person at 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 671-4500.

Cost to Start a Daycare in Washington D.C.

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation	$99	Online/mail; $199 in person
OSSE Child Care Orientation	Free	Required; within 12 months before application
Certificate of Occupancy	Varies	From DC Department of Buildings
Fire Safety Approval	Varies	From DC Fire and EMS
Lead Clearance Inspection	Varies by facility	From DOEE; may require remediation if lead found
OSSE License Application Fee	Contact OSSE for current fee	(202) 727-6436
Background Checks (per staff member)	Varies per person	FBI + DC MPD; required for all staff
Basic Business License (BBL)	~$107+	$70 app + $25/endorsement + 10% tech fee
Facility Buildout / Equipment	$5,000-$50,000+	Age-appropriate furniture, safety equipment, playground
Liability Insurance (annual)	$1,500-$5,000+	Childcare liability insurance; required for BBL endorsement

Estimated total first-year startup cost: $15,000 to $75,000+ (highly variable based on facility type, size, and location)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who licenses daycares in Washington D.C.?

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) licenses all child development facilities in Washington D.C. OSSE’s Licensing and Compliance division handles applications, inspections, and enforcement under the DC Child Development Facilities Regulation Act. Any person or entity providing child care for compensation must be licensed by OSSE before operating. Contact OSSE Licensing and Compliance at (202) 727-6436 or visit osse.dc.gov.

Do I need a license for an in-home daycare in Washington D.C.?

Yes. Washington D.C. requires all providers who care for children for compensation to be licensed by OSSE, regardless of the number of children. In-home providers are licensed as either a Child Development Home (up to 6 children in the provider’s own residence) or an Expanded Child Development Home (6-12 children). Both require OSSE orientation attendance, fire approval, lead clearance, and background checks for all caregivers. Apply through OSSE Licensing and Compliance at osse.dc.gov.

What are the background check requirements for D.C. daycare staff?

All individuals who work with children at a D.C. child development facility must complete comprehensive background checks before beginning work. Requirements include: FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check, DC Metropolitan Police Department background check, and child abuse and neglect registry check. Convictions for crimes against children, sexual offenses, violent crimes, and certain drug offenses are disqualifying. Background checks must be renewed periodically as required by OSSE regulations.

What is the OSSE child care orientation and is it required?

The OSSE child care orientation is a mandatory educational session that covers DC childcare licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and the application process. It must be attended within 12 months before submitting your license application. The orientation is free of charge and offered by OSSE. Proof of attendance is required as part of your license application. Register for the next session at osse.dc.gov.

What building approvals does a D.C. daycare need?

Child development centers and expanded child development homes need a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) from the DC Department of Buildings confirming the space is approved for childcare use. All facilities must obtain a fire safety approval from DC Fire and EMS. All facilities must pass a lead clearance inspection from the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). Home-based providers need a Home Occupation Permit from DLCP instead of a CO. All these approvals must be obtained before OSSE will issue your license.