How to Start a Daycare in Maine (2026)

Last updated: May 3, 2026

Opening a daycare in Maine requires a state license from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) the moment you care for three or more unrelated children — whether in your home or a dedicated facility. Maine’s licensing framework is administered by the Children’s Licensing and Investigation Unit and governed by 22 M.R.S. § 8301-A and accompanying DHHS rules in Chapters 32, 33, and 34. Two things distinguish Maine’s licensing environment from many other states: the state recently renamed its quality rating system from “Quality for ME” to Rising Stars for ME (effective 2023), and the state’s childcare subsidy has been rebranded as the Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) — language confusion around these new names is common in online guides still using the old terminology.

Maine has a documented childcare shortage, particularly in rural counties and for infant and toddler care. Portland and the Greater Portland area have the most concentrated demand, but providers in Aroostook County, Penobscot County, and Washington County serve populations with extremely limited childcare options. Licensed providers who accept CCAP subsidies have access to a predictable payment stream from DHHS and fill a critical gap in Maine’s childcare market.

Maine Daycare Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Family Child Care Provider License (3-12 children, provider’s home)	DHHS OCFS – Children’s Licensing and Investigation Unit	$160 initial and renewal	60-90 days typical
Child Care Facility License (13+ children or non-home setting)	DHHS OCFS	$120 initial / $240 renewal	90-120 days typical
Background checks (all staff and household members)	Maine State Police + FBI + SOR + DHHS	$21-$50 per person (varies)	Allow 30-60 days
Fire Marshal Inspection	Maine Office of State Fire Marshal	No charge (state inspector)	Scheduled by OCFS licensor
Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification	Red Cross, AHA, or equivalent provider	$50-$100 per person	Complete before licensing
Pre-licensing training (30 hours total)	Maine Roads to Quality (MRTQ) or approved training providers	Varies; some MRTQ training free or subsidized	Complete before licensing
Rising Stars for ME (QRIS) enrollment	DHHS OCFS / MRTQ	No charge (mandatory for all licensed providers)	Automatic at licensing
Maine LLC formation (recommended entity)	Maine Secretary of State	$175 + $85/year annual report	10-15 business days (mail only)
General liability insurance	Licensed private carrier	$800-$2,500/year typical	Before opening
Workers’ compensation (if you have employees)	Maine Workers’ Compensation Board — licensed carrier	Varies by payroll; required at 1 employee	Before first hire

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

Step 1: Determine Your License Category

Maine law under 22 M.R.S. § 8301-A requires a license for any person who provides care for three or more unrelated children under the age of 13. The two main license categories are:

Family Child Care Provider

A Family Child Care Provider operates in their own home and cares for 3 to 12 children. This is the most common entry point for new daycare operators in Maine. The license fee is $160 for both initial licensing and renewal. Family child care can include up to 12 children, but group size rules and staff ratio requirements still apply. You cannot exceed the capacity specified on your license.

Child Care Facility

A Child Care Facility is any licensed program caring for 13 or more children, or any licensed program operating outside of the provider’s own home. This includes childcare centers, nursery schools, and programs operating in church basements, commercial buildings, or other non-home locations. Initial license fee: $120. Renewal fee: $240. Child Care Facilities are governed by DHHS Chapter 32 rules, which are more extensive than the Chapter 33 rules that govern Family Child Care.

Unlicensed / Below Threshold

Caring for 1 or 2 unrelated children does not require a state license under Maine law. However, if you advertise or accept payment as a childcare service, some municipalities may still require a local permit. If you care only for related children (your own biological or legally adopted children), no state license is required regardless of number.

Step 2: Contact DHHS OCFS to Start the Application

Contact the Maine DHHS Office of Child and Family Services, Children’s Licensing and Investigation Unit to begin your application:

• Phone: (207) 287-5060
• Website: maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/provider-resources/child-care-licensing
• Provider Portal: som04.my.site.com/provider (for managing applications and inspections)

OCFS will assign you a regional licensor who will walk you through the application process, provide checklists for center-based or family childcare, and schedule your facility inspection. The pre-licensing inspection evaluates your physical space, safety equipment, and compliance with Maine’s health and safety rules before a license is issued.

Step 3: Background Checks for All Staff and Household Members

Maine requires background checks for all prospective childcare employees, volunteers with unsupervised access to children, and — for family child care settings — all household members age 15 and older. The background check stack includes:

• Maine State Police Criminal History: Check of Maine criminal history records.
• FBI Fingerprint-Based Check: Nationwide criminal history check through the FBI. Required for all new applicants.
• Maine Sex Offender Registry (SOR): Check against the Maine Sex Offender Registry maintained by the Maine State Police.
• Maine Child Protective Services (CPS) Registry: Check for substantiated findings of child abuse or neglect in the Maine DHHS CPS database.
• Out-of-state CPS checks: Required for applicants who have lived in other states within the past several years.

Background checks are coordinated through the DHHS licensing application — your licensor will provide the forms and instructions. Allow 30-60 days for the full background check process to complete. No one with a disqualifying criminal record or substantiated child abuse/neglect finding may be licensed or employed in a Maine childcare setting.

Step 4: Complete Pre-Licensing Training

Maine requires 30 hours of initial training before a license is issued. Core required components include:

• Pediatric First Aid and CPR: Must cover infant and child CPR and choking response. Certification must come from an approved provider (Red Cross, American Heart Association, etc.) and must be current (typically 2-year certifications).
• Mandated Reporter Training: All childcare providers are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect in Maine. Training covers recognition of abuse/neglect and reporting obligations to DHHS Child Protective Services.
• Health and Safety Training: Topics include safe sleep practices for infants (per the American Academy of Pediatrics), medication administration, emergency procedures, and food safety.
• Ongoing professional development: After licensing, continued annual training is required as specified by DHHS rules.

Maine Roads to Quality (MRTQ) at mrtq.org is Maine’s professional development network for early childhood educators. MRTQ offers training courses, the Maine Early Childhood Professional Registry, and coaching services. Many MRTQ trainings are free or subsidized with CCDF grant funding. MRTQ also administers the Rising Stars for ME quality improvement coaching program.

Step 5: Meet Physical Facility Standards

Before your license is issued, your facility must pass a fire marshal inspection conducted by the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal and an OCFS physical environment review. Key physical standards include:

• Indoor space: Minimum 35 square feet of usable space per child in play areas (specific requirements in DHHS Chapter 32 and 33 rules).
• Outdoor play area: Access to outdoor play space with appropriate surfacing. Must be fenced or otherwise safe from traffic and hazards.
• Safe sleeping: Infants must sleep in individual cribs or play yards — no soft bedding, no co-sleeping. Each infant must have their own designated sleep space.
• Kitchen and food service: Separate food preparation area required for centers serving meals. Family child care settings must meet basic food safety requirements.
• Bathroom facilities: Appropriate toilet-to-child ratios and hand-washing facilities accessible to children.
• Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers: Required per fire marshal standards — your licensor will provide the specific checklist.

Step 6: Staff-to-Child Ratios

Maine maintains strict staff-to-child ratio requirements under its licensing rules. These ratios represent the maximum number of children one adult may supervise at any given time:

Age Group	Maximum Ratio (staff:children)
Infants (0 to 12 months)	1:4
Young Toddlers (13 to 36 months)	1:5
Preschool (3 to 5 years)	1:10
School-Age (6 years and older)	1:15 (verify current Chapter 32 rules)

Mixed-age groups follow the most restrictive ratio required for the youngest child in the group. If you have both infants and toddlers in a group, the 1:4 infant ratio applies to the combined group. Always verify current ratios with your OCFS licensor, as rules may be updated between publication of this guide and your licensing application.

Step 7: Rising Stars for ME — Maine’s QRIS

Maine’s quality rating and improvement system is called Rising Stars for ME, which replaced the older “Quality for ME” designation in 2023. It is a 5-star system administered by DHHS OCFS with support from Maine Roads to Quality:

• Star 1: Licensed-exempt family child care programs (caring for 2 or fewer children). These programs participate in Rising Stars for ME but are not fully licensed.
• Star 2: All licensed childcare programs that meet Maine’s licensing requirements. This is the minimum level for licensed providers. Stars 1-2 are mandatory for all licensed programs.
• Stars 3, 4, and 5: Voluntary higher-quality designations. Providers pursuing Stars 3-5 undergo additional evaluations, adopt research-based curriculum, receive coaching, and demonstrate quality indicators beyond minimum licensing requirements.

Rising Stars for ME participation is required to accept children receiving childcare subsidies through the Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP). Families searching for providers on Maine’s childcare finder often filter by star rating. Earning a Star 3, 4, or 5 designation increases your visibility to subsidy-eligible families and may unlock enhanced provider reimbursement rates from DHHS.

Step 8: Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP)

Maine’s childcare subsidy is now called the Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP), administered by DHHS OCFS. CCAP provides subsidized childcare payments to eligible families who meet income and activity requirements. Families with income at or below 125% of Maine median income may qualify. To accept CCAP-subsidized children:

• You must be a licensed provider in good standing.
• You must be enrolled in Rising Stars for ME (minimum Star 2).
• Apply to DHHS OCFS to become a CCAP-participating provider: call 1-877-680-5866 or email CCAP.DHHS@maine.gov.
• DHHS pays your provider rate directly based on your license type, age group served, and Star rating.

CCAP participation provides a stable payment source and access to families who would otherwise be unable to afford childcare at market rates. In Maine’s rural counties, CCAP-participating providers often have waiting lists because few licensed providers exist.

Step 9: Business Formation and Insurance

Most Maine daycare operators form an LLC or sole proprietorship before opening. An LLC provides personal liability protection, which matters significantly in childcare given the potential for injury claims and licensing-related actions.

• LLC formation: $175 by mail to Maine Secretary of State (10-15 business day processing). Annual Report: $85 by June 1.
• Workers’ compensation: Required at the first employee under Maine law. Purchase from a licensed private carrier.
• Maine Paid Leave (PFML): Register at maine.gov/paidleave before your first payroll. Benefits available May 1, 2026 for employees.
• Earned Paid Leave (EPL): At 11+ employees, workers accrue 1 hour of paid leave per 40 hours worked (26 M.R.S. § 637).
• General liability insurance: Strongly recommended; many CCAP reimbursement agreements and commercial lease arrangements require it. Typical premium: $800-$2,500/year for a childcare facility.
• Professional liability / childcare-specific insurance: Consider policies specifically designed for childcare providers, which cover allegations of negligent supervision and child abuse (staff policy).

Maine Childcare Market: Where the Demand Is

Maine’s childcare shortage is documented and severe. The state is classified as a “childcare desert” in many counties — areas where licensed childcare slots are substantially fewer than the number of children who need care. The worst shortages are in rural Aroostook, Washington, Piscataquis, and Somerset counties, where entire communities have no licensed infant care at all.

In Greater Portland (Cumberland County), demand for quality childcare is high and market-rate fees are among the highest in Maine. Portland-area centers charge $300-$450/week for full-time infant care and $200-$325/week for preschool-age care. The proximity to Maine Medical Center, University of Southern Maine, and Portland’s growing tech sector creates a workforce of dual-income families with young children. Bangor (Penobscot County) serves northern and eastern Maine as a regional hub — Eastern Maine Medical Center, the University of Maine at Orono (20 miles away), and the Bangor area’s retail corridor generate consistent demand. Augusta (Kennebec County), as the state capital, has significant state government employment driving weekday childcare demand. Lewiston-Auburn (Androscoggin County) has Maine’s largest immigrant and refugee population, creating demand for culturally responsive and multilingual childcare options — a niche with very few providers.

Cost to Start a Daycare in Maine

Item	Family Child Care	Childcare Center (13-30 children)
State license fee (initial)	$160	$120
LLC formation + first-year annual report	$260	$260
Background checks (per person)	$21-$50 × household members	$21-$50 × each staff member
Pediatric CPR/First Aid training	$50-$100	$50-$100 per staff member
Equipment and supplies (cribs, toys, supplies)	$1,000-$3,000	$5,000-$25,000+
Facility modifications (if needed)	$500-$3,000	$5,000-$50,000+
General liability insurance (annual)	$800-$1,500	$1,500-$3,500
Total estimated startup	$3,000-$10,000	$15,000-$100,000+

Related Maine Business Guides

← Back to all Maine business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many children can I care for before I need a Maine license?

You need a Maine childcare license to care for 3 or more unrelated children under age 13. Caring for 1 or 2 unrelated children does not require a state license, though some municipalities may have their own requirements. If you care only for your own biological or legally adopted children, no license is required regardless of the number of children.

What is the difference between Family Child Care and a Child Care Facility in Maine?

Family Child Care is licensed for 3-12 children in the provider’s own home ($160 fee). A Child Care Facility covers 13+ children or any licensed program operating outside the provider’s home ($120 initial / $240 renewal). The rules governing each type are different — family child care uses DHHS Chapter 33 rules, facilities use Chapter 32. Processing times are also different: family child care typically takes 60-90 days, centers 90-120 days.

What is Rising Stars for ME?

Rising Stars for ME is Maine’s current quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for childcare providers. It replaced the older “Quality for ME” system in 2023. It is a 5-star system: Stars 1-2 are mandatory for all licensed providers (Star 2 means licensed compliance), and Stars 3-5 are voluntary higher-quality designations. Rising Stars for ME participation is required to accept children receiving state childcare subsidies through the Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP).

What is the Maine Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP)?

CCAP is Maine’s childcare subsidy program administered by DHHS OCFS. It helps eligible families with incomes at or below 125% of Maine median income pay for licensed childcare. Licensed providers enrolled in Rising Stars for ME can apply to accept CCAP-subsidized children. DHHS pays the provider directly based on your license type, age group, and star rating. Contact DHHS at 1-877-680-5866 or CCAP.DHHS@maine.gov to apply as a participating provider.

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

Maine’s required ratios are: 1:4 for infants (0-12 months), 1:5 for toddlers (13-36 months), and 1:10 for preschoolers (3-5 years). Mixed-age groups follow the most restrictive ratio required for the youngest child present. Always verify current ratios with your OCFS licensor as rules may change.

Do I need workers’ compensation for my daycare employees in Maine?

Yes. Maine requires workers’ compensation coverage for any employer with 1 or more employees. This is one of the lowest thresholds in the United States. Purchase coverage from a licensed private carrier before your first employee starts work. The Maine Workers’ Compensation Board at maine.gov/wcb can provide guidance on coverage requirements and finding carriers.

What training do I need before opening a Maine daycare?

Maine requires 30 hours of initial training before licensing, including pediatric First Aid and CPR certification, mandatory reporter training for child abuse and neglect, and health and safety training covering safe sleep practices and emergency procedures. Maine Roads to Quality (mrtq.org) provides training resources and a professional registry for Maine childcare providers, with many courses free or subsidized through state funding.