Last updated: April 30, 2026

How to Start a Daycare in Nevada (2026)

Nevada child care licensing has two big things you need to know before reading anything else online: first, the agency that licenses child care in Nevada is the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) under the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services – not the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and not the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS). The old “Bureau of Services for Child Care” was abolished and its duties were transferred to DPBH. Many older guides and even some operator-focused content still incorrectly reference DCFS for licensing. The correct portal is dpbh.nv.gov. Second, Nevada is one of the few states with genuine, sustained 24-hour child care demand – driven by the Las Vegas Strip casino-shift labor economy. NAC 432A.5205 specifically sets nighttime ratios (9 PM to 6:30 AM) and includes an explicit “must remain awake” rule for nighttime caregivers, because Nevada actually expects the regulation to be used.

This page covers the actual Nevada-specific path: NRS and NAC Chapter 432A licensing through DPBH; the three facility types (Family Care up to 6, Group Care up to 12, Centers 13+); NAC 432A.5205 staffing ratios; the Nevada Registry for ECE training tracking; the Silver State Stars QRIS quality rating system; and the DWSS Child Care and Development Program subsidy administered through The Children’s Cabinet (Northern Nevada) and DSS (Southern Nevada).

Nevada Child Care Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Agency / Authority	Cost	Timeline
Nevada LLC + State Business License	Nevada SOS via SilverFlume	$425 initial; $350/year	1 business day online
Child Care License	Nevada DPBH – Child Care Licensing	License fees vary by facility type and capacity (per current DPBH fee schedule)	90-180 days from application
Fingerprint background check (per adult)	NV Dept of Public Safety + FBI	~$60-$90 per person	4-8 weeks
Nevada Child Abuse & Neglect Registry check	NV DCFS – Central Registry	Per request	2-4 weeks
Director / staff pre-service training	The Nevada Registry / approved providers	$15-$30/hr typical	Before opening
Pediatric First Aid + CPR	American Red Cross / Heart Association	$80-$120 per person	2-year certification
Building / fire-safety inspection	Local Fire Marshal + DPBH	Varies; reinspection fees apply	Per inspection cycle
City/County business license	Las Vegas, Clark Co, Henderson, Reno, etc.	$100-$500	30-60 days
Workers’ compensation	Any private NV insurer (NRS 616B)	NCCI 9059 ~3-5% of payroll	Before first hire
Modified Business Tax	NV Dept of Taxation (auto with UI)	1.17% on quarterly wages over $50K	Quarterly
Silver State Stars QRIS (voluntary; required if accepting CCDP subsidy)	NV Department of Education / NICRP at UNLV	No fee; required participation cost is staff time	6-12 months to first rating
DWSS Child Care and Development Program (CCDP) provider enrollment	DWSS via Children’s Cabinet (North) or DSS (South)	No fee	30-60 days

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

Step 1: Form Your Nevada LLC and Get the State Business License

File at SilverFlume – $425 total ($75 Articles + $150 Initial List + $200 State Business License). Annual recurring $350. EIN at IRS.gov. The entity choice (LLC vs. sole prop vs. nonprofit) affects later steps – LLC is the typical choice for a Family Care Home, Group Care Home, or for-profit Center.

Step 2: Choose Your Facility Type

Nevada licenses three primary in-residence and non-residential child care facility types under NRS Chapter 432A:

• Family Care Home – up to 6 children total, operated in the licensee’s residence. One primary caregiver. Lower license fee, lower physical-plant requirements, but capacity-limited.
• Group Care Home – up to 12 children, operated in the licensee’s residence. Requires one additional caregiver and a curriculum. Higher fees, more inspection scope than Family Care.
• Child Care Center – 13 or more children, in a stand-alone non-residential facility. Full physical-plant requirements (square footage, separate restrooms, dedicated outdoor play, fire-rated separations). The path most commercial daycares take.

Special variants exist for Special Events facilities (event-based, intermittent), Accommodation facilities (hotel/casino on-property children’s programs), and Nurseries for Infants and Toddlers. The license-required threshold is “more than 4 unrelated children for compensation” – meaning a parent’s babysitter caring for 4 or fewer non-relative children does not need a license.

Step 3: Apply Through DPBH Child Care Licensing

Apply through the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) Child Care Licensing program at dpbh.nv.gov. The application packet includes:

• Application form (different forms for Family Care, Group Care, and Centers)
• Floor plan of the facility (Centers – architectural/CAD; Family/Group Care – residential floor plan)
• Outdoor play area diagram (square footage, fencing, equipment)
• Parent handbook
• Operational policies (admission, discipline, illness, medication, transportation, emergencies)
• Proof of zoning compliance (City of Las Vegas / Clark County / etc. zoning verification letter)
• Proof of fire-safety compliance (Fire Marshal pre-inspection or letter)
• Liability insurance certificate
• Background-check submissions for all required adults

DPBH review and pre-licensing inspection typically takes 90-180 days. The fee schedule and forms are at the DPBH Child Care Licensing page. Verify current fees before submitting – they are revised periodically and listed at dpbh.nv.gov.

Step 4: Complete Fingerprints and Background Checks

Under NRS 432A, every adult with regular access to children must clear three checks before licensure:

• Nevada Department of Public Safety (DPS) state criminal history via fingerprint-based check
• FBI national criminal history via fingerprint-based check
• Nevada Child Abuse and Neglect Registry through DCFS

This applies to the licensee, the director, every employee, every adult household member (including in Family/Group Care Home situations), and volunteers with regular contact. Cost is approximately $60-$90 per person for the fingerprint set. Allow 4-8 weeks for results. Certain felony convictions, registered sex offenders, and child-abuse-substantiated individuals are categorically disqualified.

Step 5: Director Qualifications and Staff Training

NAC 432A sets director qualifications differentiated by facility type:

• Family/Group Care Home licensee: Minimum age 21, high school diploma or equivalent, demonstrated experience with children
• Child Care Center director: Higher education and experience requirements – typically a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential at minimum, with associate or bachelor’s in early childhood education preferred for larger centers

Pre-service orientation: All staff must complete pre-service orientation before working with children unsupervised. Topics include facility policies, supervision, discipline, child-development basics, mandatory reporting, and emergency procedures. Typically 8-15 hours.

Pediatric First Aid + Infant/Child CPR: Required for staff working directly with children. American Red Cross or American Heart Association certifications, valid 2 years.

Annual in-service training: Typically 24 hours per year per direct-care staff member – tracked through The Nevada Registry. The Nevada Registry maintains the official ECE training database and is the system Nevada uses for verifying QRIS participation, T.E.A.C.H. early-childhood scholarships, and subsidy provider compliance.

Step 6: Meet NAC 432A.5205 Staffing Ratios

Nevada child care center ratios under NAC 432A.5205 are:

Age Group	Ratio (Daytime 6:30 AM-9 PM)	Max Group Size
Under 9 months	1:4	8
9 months to under 2 years	1:6	12
2 to under 3 years	1:9	18
3 to under 4 years	1:12	24
4 to under 5 years	1:13	26
5 years and older	1:18	36

Nighttime ratios (9 PM to 6:30 AM) for facilities providing overnight care:

Age Group	Ratio	Max Group Size
Under 3 years	1:6	12
3 years and older	1:10	20

Mixed-age groups follow the youngest child’s ratio. Every staff member on duty at night must remain awake during duty hours – an explicit NAC requirement that reflects Nevada’s recognition of 24-hour care as a real, sustained business model.

Step 7: Pass Pre-Licensing Inspection

DPBH Child Care Licensing inspectors verify before issuing the license:

• Indoor square footage: 35 sq ft per child of usable indoor activity space (excluding bathrooms, kitchens, hallways)
• Outdoor square footage: 75 sq ft per child of accessible outdoor play space, with fenced enclosure
• Restroom availability: appropriate fixtures-to-children ratios; child-height fixtures for younger groups
• Food-service area: if meals are served, kitchen meets local health-district code (SNHD or NNPH inspection may be required for Centers)
• Fire-safety: alarms, extinguishers, two means of egress, emergency lighting, posted evacuation plan
• Documentation: parent handbook, operational policies, staff files (background checks, training, qualifications), enrollment files

After successful inspection and complete background-check returns, the license is issued. License is typically valid one year and renews on inspection cycles.

Step 8: Silver State Stars QRIS and DWSS Subsidy (Optional but Linked)

Silver State Stars is Nevada’s 5-level voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System, administered through the Nevada Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning and Development with the Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy (NICRP) at UNLV. Levels:

• Level 1 – Rising Star: Initial coaching period; programs work on Quality Improvement Plans and receive grants for materials
• Level 2 – Stepping Up: Demonstrated progress on quality indicators
• Level 3 – Quality: Programs providing quality care based on policies, ratios, and observational assessments using Environment Rating Scales (ERS)
• Level 4 – Quality Plus: Programs that exceed quality standards
• Level 5 – Top Tier: Highest quality designation

QRIS is functionally mandatory if you accept subsidy children. Since October 2016, child care centers serving families participating in the DWSS Child Care and Development Program (CCDP) subsidy program have been required to participate in QRIS.

DWSS Child Care and Development Program (CCDP) is the state CCDF subsidy program. It is administered by the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), with case-management split geographically:

• Northern Nevada (Washoe + 12 surrounding counties): The Children’s Cabinet (childrenscabinet.org) handles subsidy administration
• Southern Nevada (Clark + neighboring): DSS / DWSS directly

Income eligibility was reset effective October 1, 2024 to 41% of state median income for new applicants and 49% SMI for renewal applicants – meaning a family of four earning up to roughly $39,371/year qualifies as a new applicant. Provider enrollment is free; subsidy reimbursement is paid directly to the provider. For a Las Vegas operator located near hospitality-shift employer concentrations, CCDP-subsidy children are often a meaningful portion of the enrollment base.

Las Vegas 24-Hour Child Care: A Genuine Nevada Niche

Las Vegas runs a 24/7 service economy. Casinos, hotels, hospitals, the airport, the convention industry, and Allegiant Stadium events employ a large workforce on rotating shifts that fall outside conventional 7 AM-6 PM child care hours. As a result, Nevada actually has a real, regulated 24-hour child care market – and NAC 432A explicitly contemplates it:

• Different ratios apply 9 PM-6:30 AM (1:6 under 3, 1:10 over 3)
• Caregivers must remain awake during duty hours
• Sleeping arrangements (cots, bedding) and nighttime supervision are inspected

If you license a Center in the Las Vegas valley willing to operate evenings, overnights, and weekends, you have access to a customer base that competing daytime-only operators cannot serve. The trade-off is higher staffing costs (you need night caregivers awake at 1 AM and 4 AM with appropriate ratios) and additional insurance scrutiny. But the demand is genuine and underserved – and waiting lists for 24-hour licensed care in Las Vegas are real.

Nevada Daycare Market Context

• Las Vegas Valley: The dominant market. Approximately 2.3 million residents, growing residential expansion in Henderson, North Las Vegas, Spring Valley, and Summerlin. 24-hour casino-shift demand. High enrollment in CCDP subsidy among hospitality households.
• Reno-Sparks: Growing fast on the back of the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center workforce. Tesla, Switch, Apple, and Google operations have brought a younger, higher-income demographic to Washoe County – driving demand for higher-quality (Star 4-5) Centers and infant/toddler programs in particular.
• Carson City: Small but stable market driven by state-government employment.
• Rural Nevada: Sparse population, limited options – rural Family Care Homes and Group Care Homes are the typical model.

Nevada has no universal pre-K. Pre-K is funded through limited federal Head Start, the state-funded Nevada Ready! Pre-K program (income- and need-based, oversubscribed), and private tuition at Centers. Compared to the Pre-K-for-All states (FL, GA, OK, DC, NY, NJ, IL), Nevada Centers can charge higher private pre-K tuition without competing with a free state alternative.

Cost to Start a Daycare in Nevada

Cost Component	Range
Family Care Home licensing path
Nevada LLC + State Business License	$425
DPBH Family Care license fee + inspection	$50-$300 (verify current fee schedule)
Background checks (licensee + household adults)	$200-$400
First Aid/CPR + pre-service training	$200-$400
Initial supplies (toys, books, naptime mats, safety)	$1,500-$4,000
Liability insurance (annual)	$600-$1,500
Family Care startup total	$3,500-$8,000
Group Care Home (additional caregiver, larger insurance)	$8,000-$15,000
Child Care Center (commercial buildout)
Lease deposit + first 3 months	$15,000-$50,000+
Tenant improvements (separate restrooms, child-fixtures, fire-rated walls, kitchen)	$50,000-$300,000
Outdoor play structure + fencing	$10,000-$40,000
Initial staffing (4-8 caregivers + director)	$60,000-$150,000 (first 6 months)
Insurance (liability + auto + workers’ comp)	$5,000-$15,000/year
Initial supplies + furniture	$25,000-$80,000
Center startup total	$200,000-$600,000+

Related Nevada Business Guides

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Nevada agency licenses child care?

The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), under the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, licenses child care facilities under NRS and NAC Chapter 432A. The legacy “Bureau of Services for Child Care” was abolished and its duties transferred to DPBH – older guides incorrectly reference DCFS for licensing. Apply at dpbh.nv.gov. DCFS does maintain the Nevada Child Abuse and Neglect Registry that licensees and staff are screened against, but DCFS does not issue child care licenses.

What types of child care licenses are available in Nevada?

The three primary types are Family Care Home (up to 6 children, in the licensee’s residence, one caregiver), Group Care Home (up to 12 children, in residence, requires one additional caregiver and a curriculum), and Child Care Center (13 or more children, stand-alone facility). Licensing is required if you care for more than 4 unrelated children for compensation. Special variants exist for Special Events facilities, Accommodation facilities (hotel/casino on-property), and infant/toddler nurseries.

What are Nevada’s daycare staffing ratios?

Under NAC 432A.5205, daytime ratios (6:30 AM-9 PM) are: under 9 months 1:4 (max 8), 9 months-2 yrs 1:6 (max 12), 2-3 yrs 1:9 (max 18), 3-4 yrs 1:12 (max 24), 4-5 yrs 1:13 (max 26), and 5+ yrs 1:18 (max 36). Nighttime ratios (9 PM-6:30 AM) are 1:6 for under 3 (max 12) and 1:10 for 3+ (max 20). Caregivers on overnight duty must remain awake. Mixed-age groups follow the youngest child’s ratio.

Does Nevada have universal pre-K?

No. Nevada has no universal Pre-K program comparable to Florida’s VPK, Georgia’s Pre-K, Oklahoma’s Universal Pre-K, DC’s Pre-K, or New York’s Pre-K for All. Pre-K is funded through limited federal Head Start, the income-based Nevada Ready! Pre-K program (oversubscribed), and private tuition. This is structurally different from the Pre-K-for-All states – Nevada Centers can charge higher private Pre-K tuition without competing with a state-funded free alternative.

What is the Nevada child care subsidy program?

The Nevada Child Care and Development Program (CCDP) is administered by the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) using federal Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) money. Case management is split: The Children’s Cabinet handles Northern Nevada (Washoe and surrounding counties), and DSS handles Southern Nevada (Clark and surrounding). Income eligibility (effective October 1, 2024) is 41% of state median income for new applicants and 49% SMI for renewals. Provider enrollment is free; reimbursement is paid directly to the provider.

What is Silver State Stars?

Silver State Stars is Nevada’s voluntary 5-level Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), administered through the Nevada Department of Education and NICRP at UNLV. Levels run from Star 1 (Rising Star, initial coaching) through Star 5 (top tier). Silver State Stars is functionally mandatory if you accept Child Care and Development Program subsidy children – DWSS-CCDP providers have been required to participate since October 2016. Ratings include policy reviews and on-site Environment Rating Scales (ERS) observation.

Does Nevada really have 24-hour licensed daycare?

Yes. Las Vegas’s 24/7 casino-shift labor economy creates genuine demand for overnight licensed child care, and NAC 432A explicitly addresses it: separate nighttime ratios (9 PM-6:30 AM), an explicit “must remain awake during duty hours” rule for night caregivers, and inspected sleeping arrangements. Operators willing to staff evenings, overnights, and weekends serve a market that conventional 7-6 daycares cannot reach. Higher staffing cost is the trade-off, but waiting lists for 24-hour licensed care in Las Vegas are real.

What background checks does Nevada require for daycare staff?

Three checks for every adult with regular access to children: (1) Nevada Department of Public Safety state criminal-history check (fingerprint), (2) FBI national criminal-history check (fingerprint), and (3) Nevada Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check through DCFS. This includes the licensee, director, all employees, all volunteers with regular contact, and all household members 18+ in Family/Group Care Home settings. Cost is approximately $60-$90 per person; results take 4-8 weeks. Certain felony convictions, registered sex offenders, and child-abuse-substantiated individuals are categorically disqualified.