Are you interested in opening a daycare in Oklahoma? Opening a daycare can be a big venture, but it has advantages. Not only is it a profitable opportunity, but it can also be personally fulfilling and rewarding. However, before setting the wheels in motion, you should understand how to start a daycare in Oklahoma. That includes learning about licensing requirements, the application process, and compliance regulations. Keep reading to learn more about the process.

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Do I need a childcare license in Oklahoma?

Whether you’ve decided to start a preschool at home or open a center-based program, starting a daycare requires several steps. This includes forming a business plan, choosing a name for your daycare business, and mapping out your marketing strategies. Another critical part of getting started is understanding what permits and licenses are required to start a daycare in Oklahoma.

The state of Oklahoma requires that you have a license or permit to open a childcare center, whether starting a new business or buying it from someone else. Therefore, the Oklahoma Department of Human Resources (DHS) recommends detailed planning when opening a daycare to ensure that you meet all the requirements for licensure.

Like many other states, Oklahoma's childcare licensing requirements vary, depending on the type of facility in operation. 

Types of childcare facilities and programs

• Child care centers: Operate 30 or more hours per week. 
• Day camps: Operate during school breaks for 12 hours or less per day, serve children five years old and older who attend or have completed kindergarten or above, and use the outdoors as a major program component for at least 50 percent of the daily hours of operation.
• Drop-in programs: Operate 30 or more hours per week with individual children attending six hours or less per day and 24 hours or less per week, with an allowance for three extra six-hour days per 12 months per child.
• Out-of-school time programs: Operate when school is not in session, such as before and after school and during school breaks, and serves children three years old and older who are attending or have completed pre-kindergarten or above.
• Part-day programs: Operate for more than 15 but less than 30 hours per week.
• Programs for sick children: Serve children with illnesses or symptoms preventing them from comfortable participation in activities in a program caring for children who are well. The children require more care than personnel in a program caring for children who are well can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children in care.
• Family child care home: Provides care and supervision for seven or fewer children for part of the 24-hour day. Care is limited to:
  • Children younger than five years of age living in the home and present while children are in care
  • Foster children 12 years of age and younger living in the home and present while children are in care
  • The substitute's or assistant caregiver's children present while children are in care
• Large family child care home: Provides care and supervision for eight to 12 children for part of the 24-hour day. Care is limited to:
  • Children younger than five years of age living in the home and present while children are in care
  • Foster children 12 years of age and younger living in the home and present while children are in care
  • The substitute's or assistant caregiver's children present while children are in care

Some types of programs are exempt from licensure. They include:

• Programs provided in a child's own home or by relatives
• Informal arrangements for the occasional care of children
• Programs in which children attend on a drop-in basis and parents are on the premises and are readily accessible
• Single activity programs
• Programs operating for 15 hours or less per week

Additionally, Oklahoma relies on the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) to assess, improve, and communicate quality levels in early care and out-of-school education programs. Ratings are awarded to programs based on curriculum, child outcomes, learning environments, teacher-child interactions, professional development, and training. 

The rating system has five levels and all licensed programs immediately receive a one-star rating and can increase their star level based on meeting additional quality criteria. You must be a 1+ Star rating to be eligible to contract with DHS to be paid for childcare services.

Childcare licensing requirements in Oklahoma

A DHS childcare licensing specialist can help you determine the type of childcare center you want to open to ensure that you complete the correct application and meet the licensing requirements. When starting the process, leave yourself enough time between when you start the planning and application submission and when you'd like to open your facility. That way, you'll have enough time to meet all the requirements.

Before any type of childcare license is issued, the provider must complete specific background check requirements, including:

• An Oklahoma State Courts Network search conducted by the department
• Restricted Registry search conducted by the facility
• A national criminal history records search conducted
• A criminal history records and sex offender registry search conducted by an authorized source, if you’ve lived outside the state within the last five years
• A search of the Department of Corrections' files maintained pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act
• A search of any available child abuse and neglect registry within a state the individual has resided in within the last five years
• A search of the nontechnical services worker abuse registry 
• A search of the community services worker registry

The above requirements also apply to prospective staff and individuals 18 and older residing inside a family child care home. 

For children in the home who are under 18, they must have:

• An Oklahoma State Courts Network search conducted by the department

• Restricted Registry search conducted by the facility

• A national criminal history records search conducted

• A search of the Department of Corrections' files maintained pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act

Childcare centers

Provider requirements

Prior to or within 12 months of employment, teaching personnel must obtain and maintain a current Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL) certificate. In addition to the  background check requirements listed above, the director or administrator in charge of the facility must:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Have satisfactory work experience 
• Have a current bronze or higher-level certificate
• Not be a director or master teacher at another program that operates concurrently at any given time
• Have a good understanding of the requirements and program policies

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have at least a high school diploma, GED, or licensing approved equivalent; or have completed 10th grade and be in the process of obtaining a GED for a period not to exceed 12 months from employment
• Obtain and maintain CPR and first aid certification requirements

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Be currently enrolled in high school or an equivalent, have at least a high school diploma, GED, or licensing-approved equivalent; or have completed 10th grade and be in the process of obtaining a GED for a period not to exceed 36 months from employment

• A current Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL) certificate of Level 4 or higher 
• Completed training in Oklahoma’s Early Learning Guidelines (ELG); however new master teachers or probationary master teachers hired or assuming the responsibilities after certification are trained within 90-calendar days 
• Employment on-site, full-time; however out-of-school time master teachers are on-site at least 50 percent of weekly-operating hours

Ratio and capacity requirements

Childcare centers are required to maintain staff-to-child ratios at all times.

Single-age group

Mixed-age group

Family child care homes

Provider requirements

Primary caregivers must: 

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have the ability to read and write for keeping required records, reading the licensing requirements, and administering medication if being left alone with children
• Cooperate with state licensing during monitoring visits and OKDHS investigations
• Obtain a current Level 1 or higher Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL) certificate (if licensed before June 1, 2022)
• Obtain and maintain a current Level 1 or higher OPDL certificate prior to or within 12 months of licensure or employment (if licensed after June 1, 2022)

Ratio requirements

For family and large family child care homes, the staff-to-child ratios are as follows:

• When only one caregiver is present, the total number and ages of children in care at any time are:
  • Seven children, with no more than two children younger than 2 years of age
  • Six children, with no more than three children younger than 2 years of age
  • Five children of any age
• Two caregivers are required to provide care when:
  • Seven children are in care and more than two children are younger than 2 years of age
  • Six children are in care and more than three children are younger than two 2 years of age

• Safe sleep training prior to caring for infants
• CPR and first aid certification for the appropriate ages of the children being cared for
• Entry Level Child Care Training (ELCCT) or equivalent completed within 90 days of employment (unless previously obtained within the past five years)
• Fire approval from the local or state governmental authority
• Health approval from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) or Indian Health Services (IHS) (unless the program provides only limited food service)
• Child abuse prevention training
• Child development training
• Infection control training
• Child passenger safety training if the program provides transportation for five-year-olds or younger

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Childcare license application in Oklahoma

In most instances, you must have a license to operate a childcare business in Oklahoma. Follow the below steps to obtain the proper license for your program.

Childcare centers

When you open or buy a childcare center, you must take the necessary steps to apply for a license. 

Step 1: Contact a licensing specialist

Licensing specialists are located throughout the state in DHS county offices. Find your local licensing office and they can provide assistance throughout the license application process.

Step 2: Complete an application

Work with your licensing specialist to complete the application and provide all required documents including:

• Completed application 
• Proof of ownership/sponsorship 
• Childcare staff summary
• Child care staff information sheet for each employee
• Documentation showing the director has a Bronze Credential or higher
• Criminal background check for the applicant and all employees
• Documentation of adequate equipment for capacity
• Documentation that the center has had a licensing monitoring visit that shows you meet all requirements
• Documentation of fire approval within 12 months
• Documentation of health approval within 12 months

Step 3: Schedule and complete a licensing monitoring visit 

Your license application will need to show documentation that your center meets all requirements prior to obtaining a license. 

Step 4: Fill out a Stars application

Once your permit or license has been approved by both the licensing supervisor and the Oklahoma Child Care Services State Office, your program will automatically receive a one-star rating. At this time, you can complete a Stars application and begin to meet the criteria to qualify for a higher star rating. 

Step 5: Contract with DHS for childcare subsidy

Many working families are eligible for assistance to pay for child care through DHS. DHS also contracts with childcare providers to help eligible families pay these costs. If you contract with DHS, it allows more families to be able to select your facility for their child care needs. You must have an approved DHS permit or license and a 1+ Star rating, complete an application, and undergo required training in order to contract with DHS.

Family child care homes

If you are interested in opening a family child care home, complete the below steps to obtain the proper license.

Step 1: Contact a licensing specialist

Licensing specialists are located throughout the state in DHS county offices. Find your local licensing office and they can provide assistance throughout the license application process.

Step 2: Complete an application

Work with your licensing specialist to complete the application and provide all required documents including:

• Completed application 
• Proof of ownership/sponsorship 
• Copy of driver's license 
• Copy of Social Security Card 
• Criminal background check for the applicant and all household members age 18 or older 
• Documentation that the home has had a licensing monitoring visit that shows you meet all requirements

Step 3: Schedule and complete a licensing monitoring visit 

Your license application will need to show documentation that your home meets all requirements prior to obtaining a license. 

Step 4: Fill out a Stars application

Once your permit or license has been approved by both the licensing supervisor and the Oklahoma Child Care Services State Office, your program will automatically receive a one-star rating. At this time, you can complete a Stars application and begin to meet the criteria to qualify for a higher star rating. 

Step 5: Contract with DHS for childcare subsidy

Many working families are eligible for assistance to pay for child care through DHS. DHS also contracts with childcare providers to help eligible families pay these costs. If you contract with DHS, it allows more families to be able to select your facility for their child care needs. You must have an approved DHS permit or license and a 1+ Star rating, complete an application, and undergo required training in order to contract with DHS.

How to stay compliant with a daycare license in Oklahoma

DHS licensing specialists will continue to monitor your compliance with requirements at your facility on an ongoing basis. Therefore, you can expect at least three unannounced visits at your facility annually. Additionally, you'll be expected to stay up to date on inspections and regulatory requirements, including: 

• Fire inspections conducted every two years by the local or state governmental authority
• Health inspections conducted at least every two years by the OSDH or IHS (unless the program provides only limited food service)
• Change of location notification sent to the licensing department if there is a change

Maintaining your daycare center’s business affairs requires organization, record keeping, reporting, and other administrative duties. To help you keep your operations streamlined, consider implementing a digital solution such as brightwheel’s center management feature to handle billing, enrollment, communications, and lesson planning.

Opening your daycare in Oklahoma

Opening a daycare can be fulfilling and profitable, but it requires dedication, careful planning, and adherence to regulations. By staying informed and compliant, you can create a nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive under your care.