Becoming a Child Care Provider

Whether you want to open a child care program in your area or you are looking to become an approved child care provider to receive vouchers for your services, you’ve come to the right place.

Warning: Do not secure a property for child care until you have completed the orientation training and are ready to complete the licensing application. The property must meet state requirements that align with orientation training and CCDF guidelines.

Types of Child Care Programs:

There are four (4) main types of child care programs in the state of Indiana: Licensed Child Care Centers, Licensed Child Care Homes, Unlicensed Registered Ministries and Legally Licensed Exempt Providers (LLEP).

Licensed Child Care Centers
- Located in a commercial building.
- Accepting CCDF/OMWPK vouchers is optional; facilities can choose to only accept private pay depending on their services.
- A director must serve as the Applicant who meets the requirements outlined in the Orientation 2 Training.
Licensed Child Care Homes
- Also known as Family Child Care Homes (FCCH).
- Located in a residential building.
- Licensing is required for those seeking to care for more than seven (7) children or more than four (4) infants who are not related to the licensee.
- Accepting CCDF/OMWPK vouchers is optional; facilities can choose to only accept private pay depending on their services.
Unlicensed Registered Ministries
- Located in a non-residential building, typically a church setting where the religious congregation offers space for child care purposes.
- Must have a 501(c)(3) through the IRS, whether that be from your own religious organization or one borrowed from the church offering the space for child care purposes.
- Accepting CCDF/OMWPK vouchers is optional; facilities can choose to only accept private pay depending on their services.
- A religious leader must serve as the Applicant during the application process so they can provide the 501(c)(3) for upload, sign the attestation paper and provide the final signature on the application to signal the agreement of the church hosting the child care program on their premises.
Unlicensed CCDF Eligible Providers
- Also known as a Legally Licensed Exempt Program (LLEP).
- Location varies depending on whether the exemption is available at a school, commercial or residential property.
- Provider must accept CCDF vouchers as they are mandatory for an LLEP location.
- Program must meet an approved exemption by law. Some examples of LLEP child care options include:
  - Summer programs.
  - Before/after school programs.
  - A facility operating less than four (4) hours a day on a school premises.
  - An LLEP home provider caring for seven (7) or fewer children or fewer than four (4) infants who are unrelated to the applicant on CCDF vouchers.
  - A parent seeking a nanny who can come into their home to care for children on CCDF.
  - Additional exemptions: If you believe you might be exempt from licensure, read the Indiana Code regarding child care licensure exemptions.

Note: There is a program type called “Coordinating Agency” but this is exclusive to Monroe, Vanderburgh, Lake and Allen Counties only and should only be selected by those already connected with the program.

Steps Per License Type:

Those looking to open a child care program need to log into I-LEAD or create an I-LEAD account. This website is where the training, licensing application and consent forms for a background check are completed. The licensing consultant who approves the location for child care services will only schedule an appointment to visit the premises after all requirements are met and electronic paperwork is submitted.

If you need support through the licensing process, you can submit an interest form to connect with an Emerging Provider Specialist.

To become a licensed child care center provider:

Complete Orientation 1: Training for child care providers (start-up process and information). This training can be found at Indiana Learning Paths located on I-LEAD.
Complete Orientation 2: Training for child care centers (preparation for licensure). This training can be found at Indiana Learning Paths located on I-LEAD.
Submit your application online at I-LEAD via Open a New Program on the Dashboard.
Everyone listed on the Educators section of the application who runs the program, works at the facility, volunteers or resides on the premises must accept the educator invitation once the application is submitted and complete a consent form.
Once the application is submitted, everyone listed on the Educators section of the application who runs the program, works at the facility, volunteers or resides on the premises must accept the educator invitation once the application is submitted and complete a consent form.
The licensing consultant will call or email to schedule the inspection once all paperwork is complete on I-LEAD.
Pass on-site inspection from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning.

To become a licensed child care home provider:

Complete Orientation 1: Training for child care providers (start-up process and information). This training can be found at Indiana Learning Paths located on I-LEAD.
Complete Orientation 2: Training for child care home providers (preparation for licensure). This training can be found at Indiana Learning Paths located on I-LEAD.
Submit your application online at I-LEAD via Open a New Program on the Dashboard.
Every employee, volunteer or household member living on the premises where child care is conducted must be listed on the Educators section of the application, accept the educator invitation once the application is submitted and complete a consent form.
The licensing consultant will call or email to schedule the inspection once all paperwork is complete on I-LEAD.
Pass on-site inspection from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning.

To become an unlicensed registered child care ministry provider:

Complete Orientation 1: Training for child care providers (start-up process and information). This training can be found at Indiana Learning Paths located on I-LEAD.
Complete Orientation 2: Training for unlicensed registered child care ministries (preparation for registration). This training can be found at Indiana Learning Paths located on I-LEAD.
Submit your application online at I-LEAD via Open a New Program on the Dashboard.
The pastor/religious leader, president, employees, volunteers or support staff on the premises where child care is conducted must be listed on the Educators section of the application, accept the educator invitation once the application is submitted and complete a consent form.
The licensing consultant will call or email to schedule the inspection once all paperwork is complete on I-LEAD.
Pass on-site inspection from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning.

To become a CCDF certified unlicensed provider:

Complete Orientation 1: Training for child care providers (start-up process and information). This training can be found atIndiana Learning Paths located on I-LEAD. It is recommended to complete Orientation 2: Training for Legally Licensed-Exempt Providers (LLEP’s). This training can be found at Indiana Learning Paths.
Unlicensed child care providers must meet the CCDF provider eligibility standards to be eligible to receive CCDF vouchers. An unlicensed child care provider must be able to demonstrate they meet Indiana state requirements prior to the receipt of any CCDF or On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) funds.
Once all requirements listed on the checklist above are met, submit your application online at I-LEAD via Open a New Program on the Dashboard.
Everyone listed on the Educators section of the application who runs the program , works at the facility, volunteers or resides on the premises must accept the educator invitation once the application is submitted and complete a consent form.
The licensing consultant will call or email to schedule the inspection once all paperwork is complete on I-LEAD.
Pass on-site inspection from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning.