How to Start a Daycare in Rhode Island

Starting a daycare business allows you to enrich the lives of children in your community and help them learn and grow. However, before you can open a daycare center in Rhode Island you need to understand the licensing regulations of each type of childcare program. 

This article covers all you need to know to start a daycare in Rhode Island, navigate the application process, and keep your program compliant with Rhode Island’s childcare regulations.

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Do I need a childcare license in Rhode Island?

Choosing the perfect name and location for your center is one of the first steps to starting your childcare business. Before you can officially open for business, you’ll need to understand what type of childcare license is best for your program type.

The Rhode Island Department of Human Services requires the following types of childcare programs to be properly licensed:

• Family child care: Family child care facilities are located in a residential building such as a house or apartment and provide care for up to eight children.
• Group family child care: Group family child care providers are located in a residential building such as a house or apartment and provide care for eight to 12 children.
• Childcare centers: Childcare center programs provide care to four or more unrelated children from 6 weeks to 15 years old. Centers are usually located in commercial buildings and care for more children than family childcare providers.

Providers that are considered license-exempt must be related to the children they provide care for and who are enrolled in the Starting Right Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). License-exempt childcare providers are not authorized to care for more than six related children. A provider’s own children under six years old must be included in the maximum number of children.

Childcare licensing requirements in Rhode Island

Before starting a daycare center in Rhode Island, programs must satisfy the Department of Human Services licensing and training requirements to receive a childcare license.

The Department of Human Services requires that childcare facilities keep current records for all staff members and children. With a tool like brightwheel's center management feature you can easily view and manage children's records including health information, billing details, meal types, and emergency contact information. You can also streamline your enrollment process by allowing families to quickly submit an application online and stay in touch with those on your waitlist via direct messaging.

Childcare center licensing requirements

Before you can receive a license for your childcare center, you must meet the following requirements:

Administrator qualifications

All childcare center staff members must meet the staff qualifications and training requirements for their roles. To become an administrator of a childcare center, you must meet one of the following qualifications:

• Have a high school diploma, one year of professional experience in administration or business management, and one year of experience working in a licensed or approved early childhood program

• Have successfully completed at least 12 credits in early childhood education at the post-secondary level, two years of professional experience in administration and/or business management, and two years of experience working in a licensed or approved early childhood program

All childcare center staff members who work directly with children must complete a fingerprint affidavit and undergo a background check by the Rhode Island Attorney General every five years.

Staff-to-child ratio and group size requirements

Childcare center staff must maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios and group sizes:

Building requirements

Licensed childcare centers must meet the department’s building requirements, including:

• Classrooms used by infants or toddlers must be on the first floor
• Classrooms used by preschool children must be on the first or second floor
• Each preschool classroom must maintain a minimum of 35 square feet of usable floor space for each child
• Each infant or toddler classroom must maintain a minimum of 45 square feet of usable floor space for each child
• Any classroom used by infants or toddlers must have direct access from the classroom to the outdoors without the use of stairs or elevators
• The center must have an outdoor play area that is surrounded by a permanent structure with at least 75 square feet of usable outdoor space per child
• If a fence surrounds an outdoor play area, it must be at least four feet in height when measured from the ground, not prevent the observation of children by staff, include at least two exits, and be equipped with self-closing and self-latching closure mechanisms
• Outdoor trampolines are prohibited
• If sandboxes are used, they must be covered when not in use and should be regularly cleaned of foreign matter

Health and safety requirements

Licensed childcare centers must meet the department’s health and safety requirements, including:

• Toxic substances and potentially dangerous items must be clearly labeled and stored in an area that is secured by a child safety lock or out of reach of all children in the facility
• A regular cleaning and sanitation schedule, including provisions for deep cleaning, must be posted in the childcare center
• Tables used for eating must be sanitized before and after meals and snacks
• Sensory water tables or other receptacles used for water play must be emptied and sanitized daily
• Programs serving infants or toddlers must have a choke prevention gauge readily available
• Program administrators must develop and implement an individualized, written emergency disaster plan that supports the needs of all children in the program. The emergency disaster plan must be approved by the department
• An individualized graphic evacuation plan that identifies escape routes must be posted in each classroom
• All required emergency phone numbers must be posted next to the telephone

Group family child care licensing requirements

Before you can receive a license to become a group family child care provider, you must meet the following requirements:

Provider qualifications

All group family child care staff members must meet the staff qualifications and training requirements of their roles. To become a group family child care provider, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Be at least 21 years old

• Have one of the following educational qualifications:
  • An associate degree or above in child development, early childhood education, or a field directly related to the care of young children
  • A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate in family child care
  • A current certificate in child development
  • A high school diploma or GED, a minimum of nine credits related to the care of young children from an accredited institution of higher education, and five years of licensure as a Rhode Island Family Child Care Home provider, with a license in good standing
  • National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) or equivalent accreditation
• Current certification in pediatric CPR and first aid

All staff members and household residents over the age of 18 must complete a fingerprint affidavit and undergo a background check by the Rhode Island Attorney General every five years.

Staff-to-child ratio requirements

Group family child care staff must maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios:

• A group family child care provider can care for up to 12 children
• A maximum ratio of one staff member to four children (1:4) must be maintained if all children are under three years old
• A provider with one assistant can care for no more than four children under 18 months old
• A provider with two assistants can care for no more than eight children under 18 months old

Children who live in a group family child care facility and are not school-age must be included in a facility’s maximum capacity for licensure. Other household members or visitors do not count in staff-to-child ratios unless they are authorized as an approved assistant or substitute.

Building requirements

Group family child care providers must meet the department’s building requirements, including:

• Spaces must be arranged to promote play, including individualized and group play
• Classrooms must allow for clear pathways around the classroom, ensure visual supervision by staff, promote positive interactions, and provide children with freedom of movement in a safe, clean, and uncluttered area
• Facilities that serve children under the age of two must have spaces that encourage safe exploration and promote interactions between children and staff
• An adequate variety of developmentally appropriate materials must be available for indoor and outdoor play to promote exploration
• Facilities must have an outdoor play area that is safe, protected, and free from hazards
• Outdoor activity spaces must be surrounded by a fence at least four feet in height that prevents access to another area
• Outdoor porches above the first floor cannot be used as play areas unless they are structurally sound and fully enclosed by wooden framing covered with a screen, glass, or comparable material
• Outdoor trampolines are prohibited

Health and safety requirements

Group family child care providers must meet the department’s health and safety requirements, including:

• Toxic substances and potentially dangerous items must be clearly labeled and stored in an area that is secured by a child safety lock or out of reach of all children in the facility
• A regular cleaning and sanitation schedule, including provisions for deep cleaning, must be posted in the childcare center
• Tables used for eating must be sanitized before and after meals and snacks
• Sensory water tables or other receptacles used for water play must be emptied and sanitized daily
• Programs serving infants or toddlers must have a choke prevention gauge readily available
• Providers must develop and implement an individualized, written emergency disaster plan that supports the needs of all children in the program. The emergency disaster plan must be approved by the department
• An individualized graphic evacuation plan that identifies escape routes must be posted in each classroom
• All required emergency phone numbers must be posted next to the telephone

Family child care licensing requirements

Before you can receive a license to become a family child care provider, you must meet the following requirements:

Provider qualifications

All family child care staff members must meet the staff qualifications and training requirements of their roles. To become a family child care provider, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Be at least 21 years old

• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have current certification in pediatric CPR and first aid
• Complete Orientation to Family Child Care and pre-service training
• Complete at least 24 hours of professional development
• Provide a physician’s reference and immunization information

All staff members and household residents over the age of 18 must complete a fingerprint affidavit and undergo a background check by the Rhode Island Attorney General every five years.

Staff-to-child ratio requirements

Family child care staff must maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios:

• A family child care provider can care for up to six children, including no more than two children under 18 months, without an assistant
• A family child care provider can care for up to eight children, including no more than four children under 18 months, with an assistant
• A maximum ratio of one staff member to four children (1:4) must be maintained if all children are under three years old
• There must be an assistant present to provide care when there are more than six children in a family child care facility, including more than two children under the age of 18 months

Children who live in a family child care facility and are not school-age must be included in a facility’s maximum capacity for licensure. Other household members or visitors do not count in staff-to-child ratios unless they are authorized as an approved assistant or substitute.

Building requirements

Family child care providers must meet the department’s building requirements, including:

• Spaces must be arranged to promote play, including individualized and group play
• Classrooms must allow for clear pathways around the classroom, ensure visual supervision by staff, promote positive interactions, and provide children with freedom of movement in a safe, clean, and uncluttered area
• Facilities that serve children under the age of two must have spaces that encourage safe exploration and promote interactions between children and staff
• An adequate variety of developmentally appropriate materials must be available for indoor and outdoor play to promote exploration
• Facilities must have an outdoor play area that is safe, protected, and free from hazards
• Outdoor activity spaces must be surrounded by a fence at least four feet in height that prevents access to another area
• Outdoor porches above the first floor cannot be used as play areas unless they are structurally sound and fully enclosed by wooden framing covered with a screen, glass, or comparable material
• Outdoor trampolines are prohibited

Health and safety requirements

Family child care providers must meet the department’s health and safety requirements, including:

• Toxic substances and potentially dangerous items must be clearly labeled and stored in an area that is secured by a child safety lock or out of reach of all children in the facility
• A regular cleaning and sanitation schedule, including provisions for deep cleaning, must be posted in the childcare center
• Tables used for eating must be sanitized before and after meals and snacks
• Sensory water tables or other receptacles used for water play must be emptied and sanitized daily
• Programs serving infants or toddlers must have a choke prevention gauge readily available
• Providers must develop and implement an individualized, written emergency disaster plan that supports the needs of all children in the program. The emergency disaster plan must be approved by the department
• An individualized graphic evacuation plan that identifies escape routes must be posted in each classroom
• All required emergency phone numbers must be posted next to the telephone

Childcare license application in Rhode Island

Whether you’re operating a childcare center or starting a preschool at home, you must complete the license application process for your childcare program in order to obtain your license.

Childcare center licensing application

Follow these steps to apply for a childcare center license:

Step 1: Contact the childcare licensing team

Contact the Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing team by emailing dhs.childcarelicensing@dhs.ri.gov or calling 401-462-3009. The licensing team will guide you through the requirements that you need to complete before submitting an application.

Step 2: Complete an application

Review the "Application Requirements for Child Care Center and School Age Program Licensure" list on pages 9 and 10 of the application. Make sure your center meets the application requirements. 

Complete parts one and two of the application. If you want to become a CCAP provider, complete part three of the application.

Step 3: Submit your application, application fee, and additional documentation

Mail your application, a nonrefundable $500 check or money order made out to the Rhode Island General Treasury, and your additional documentation to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Office of Child Care Licensing Team at 25 Howard Avenue, Building 57, Cranston, RI 02920.

After your application has been approved, you will receive a provisional license for the first six months of operation. You will receive a regular license once you have completed a monitored visit. You must display your license prominently in your childcare center.

Group child care licensing application

Follow these steps to apply for a group child care provider license:

Step 1: Contact the childcare licensing team and complete orientation

Contact the Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing team by emailing dhs.childcarelicensing@dhs.ri.gov or calling 401-462-3009 to register for a new provider orientation session.

After the orientation session, the licensing team will guide you through the requirements and documentation that you need to complete before submitting an application.

Step 2: Complete an application

Review the "Application Requirements for Family Child Care Home, Group Family Child Care Home Licensure" list on page 10 of the application. Make sure your group child care facility meets the application requirements. 

Complete parts one and two of the application. If you want to become a CCAP provider, complete part three of the application.

Step 3: Submit your application, application fee, and additional documentation

Mail your application, a check or money order for the $250 application fee and additional fees made out to the Rhode Island General Treasury, and your additional documentation to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services Office of Child Care Licensing Team at 25 Howard Avenue, Building 57, Cranston, RI 02920.

Family child care licensing application

Follow these steps to apply for a family childcare home license:

Step 1: Contact the childcare licensing team and complete orientation

Contact the Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing team by emailing dhs.childcarelicensing@dhs.ri.gov or calling 401-462-3009 to register for a new provider orientation session.

After the orientation session, the licensing team will guide you through the requirements and documentation that you need to complete before submitting an application.

Step 2: Complete an application

Review the "Application Requirements for Family Child Care Home, Group Family Child Care Home Licensure" list on page 10 of the application. Make sure your family childcare home meets the application requirements. 

Complete parts one and two of the application. If you want to become a CCAP provider, complete part three of the application.

Step 3: Submit your application, application fee, and additional documentation

Mail your application, a check or money order for the $100 application fee and additional fees made out to the Rhode Island General Treasury, and your additional documentation to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services Office of Child Care Licensing team at 25 Howard Avenue, Building 57, Cranston, RI 02920.

How to stay compliant with a daycare license in Rhode Island

After you receive your childcare license, you need to stay in compliance with the Department of Human Services regulations by completing annual inspections and renewing your license on time.

Knowing which type of childcare facility you would like to open will help you stay compliant with the department’s regulations, as each type of licensed childcare center has its own license renewal requirements. It can also help you create your business plan and market your daycare to reach families in your community who can benefit from your services. 

Childcare center license renewal

To renew your childcare center license, submit the following at least 30 days before your current license expires:

• A license renewal application
• Updated staff documentation
• Proof of fire, lead, and radon inspections conducted by the state fire marshal and Rhode Island Department of Health
• A $500 renewal fee

Group child care license renewal

To renew your group child care license, submit the following documentation and fees at least three months before your current license expires:

• A license renewal application
• Current background checks
• Proof of fire, lead, and radon inspections conducted by the state fire marshal and Rhode Island Department of Health
• Updated staff documentation
• A notarized landlord permission form or proof of home ownership
• Proof of liability insurance with capacity coverage
• An emergency plan
• A $250 renewal fee and additional fees

Family child care license renewal

To renew your family child care license, submit the following documentation and fees at least three months before your current license expires:

• A license renewal application
• Current background checks
• Proof of fire, lead, and radon inspections conducted by the state fire marshal and Rhode Island Department of Health
• Updated staff documentation
• A notarized landlord permission form or proof of home ownership
• Proof of liability insurance with capacity coverage
• An emergency plan
• A $100 renewal fee and additional fees

Funding resources for your childcare business

As you go through the licensing process, you may come across grants or other funding resources that can help fund your childcare business. A grant is an often overlooked financial resource given by a government agency or private foundation that does not need to be repaid. This makes them an attractive funding option if you are looking to expand or enhance the quality and accessibility of your program.

Grants provide funding that can be used towards a variety of purposes, such as improving facilities, purchasing new equipment or materials, or offering professional development opportunities for staff. The available resources vary by state so it is crucial to research and understand the grants for childcare providers in Rhode Island to make informed decisions about which ones to apply for.

Start a daycare in Rhode Island

Starting a childcare business is a rewarding venture that requires careful planning and dedication. Utilize all of the state resources available to ensure your center meets all requirements and you’ll be on your way to opening a program that enriches the lives of children and families in your community.

Brightwheel is the complete solution for early education providers, enabling you to streamline your center’s operations and build a stand-out reputation. Brightwheel connects the most critical aspects of running your center—including sign in and out, parent communications, tuition billing, and licensing and compliance—in one easy-to-use tool, along with providing best-in-class customer support and coaching. Brightwheel is trusted by thousands of early education centers and millions of parents. Learn more at mybrightwheel.com.