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Starting a daycare business allows you to have an impact on young children as you educate and prepare them for future learning. However, you must understand the state regulations and requirements for obtaining a childcare license before you can open for business. It’s important to meet and stay compliant with various provider and facility requirements and follow the correct procedures to apply for the right type of license.
Daycares in the state of Washington must be licensed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). They must also meet specific standards for children's health, safety, and well-being. In this complete guide, we cover details of starting a daycare in Washington and the steps to apply for a childcare license.
Do I need a childcare license in the state of Washington?
According to Washington state childcare regulations, you need a license to operate a childcare business if you provide child care and early learning services daily for children ages 0-12 years in your family home or at a commercial facility. The children must also be unrelated to you; however, family, friends, and neighbors providing care to children don’t require a childcare license.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) manages childcare licensing in Washington state. They ensure children in daycares are in safe and healthy environments. The DCYF issues licenses for three types of early learning programs in Washington:
- Family home early learning programs: Provides child care or education services for 12 or fewer children from 0-11 years old in the family dwelling where the childcare provider lives.
- Child care center early learning programs: Provides regularly scheduled care for children ages 0-12 years at a commercial facility for less than 24 hours a day.
- School-age programs: Provides regularly scheduled care for children ages 5-12 years for less than 24 hours a day when children aren’t attending school. These facilities are located on school grounds, commercial spaces, or private faith-based facilities.
Childcare licensing requirements in Washington state
Before starting a daycare business, you must meet specific childcare licensing requirements in Washington.
Family home and child care center licensing requirements
A family home licensee must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have an early childhood education (ECE) initial certificate or equivalent
- Have an ECE short certificate or equivalent
Center early learning program licensees:
- Must meet the requirements of a center director
The center director and assistant directors must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have an ECE state certificate or equivalent
- Have two years of experience as a teacher of children in any age group enrolled in the early learning program and at least six months of experience in administration or management or a department-approved plan
- Complete the applicable pre service requirements
Center program supervisors must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have an ECE state certificate or equivalent
- Have two years of experience as a teacher of children in any age group enrolled in any early learning program
Lead teachers must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Complete the applicable pre-service requirements
- Have an ECE certification or equivalent
Aides must:
- Be at least 14 years old
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be currently enrolled in high school or an equivalent education program
- Complete the applicable pre-service requirements
- Have their professional development progress documented annually
Other personnel indirectly involved in child care must:
- Complete and pass a background check
- Have negative tuberculosis (TB) test
- Complete program-based staff policies and training
Volunteers must be:
- At least 14 years old
- Work under the direct supervision of a lead teacher, program supervisor, center director, assistant director, assistant teacher, or family home licensee
- Complete and pass a background check
- Complete a TB test
- Complete the training requirements
- Complete program-based staff policies and training
- Have their professional development progress documented annually
Center capacity, ratio, and group size
The department shall determine the capacity for a center early learning program based on the following:
- Square footage of the early learning program
- A provider's education and ongoing training
- The age range of children requested or approved by the department
- The amount of developmentally appropriate equipment, materials, and toys an early learning program can provide children to use
- A provider's licensing history with the department
- The number of qualified staff available to meet staff-to-child ratios
According to the regulations, center licensees must always stay within the total capacity or age range stated on the childcare license.
Ratios
Infants (birth through 11 months):
- Maximum group size of eight with a ratio of one staff person to four children (1:4)
- Maximum group size of nine with a ratio of one staff person to three children (1:3)
Toddlers (12 through 29 months):
- Maximum group size of 14 with a ratio of one staff person to seven children (1:7)
- Maximum group size of 15 with a ratio of one staff person to five children (1:5)
Preschoolers (30 months through 6 years):
- A maximum group size of 20 with a ratio of one staff person to ten children (1:10)
Family home capacity, ratio, and group size
The department only allows family homes to care for a maximum of 12 children.
The department considers the following to determine a family home early learning program capacity:
- Square footage of the early learning program
- An early learning provider's years of experience in licensed child care
- A provider's education and ongoing training
- The age range requested or approved by the department
- The amount of developmentally appropriate equipment, materials, and toys an early learning program can provide children to use
- A provider's licensing history with the department
- The number of qualified staff available to meet staff-to-child ratios
Ratios and capacity
- For providers with less than one year of experience, the department only allows a capacity of up to six children, birth through 12
- For providers with at least one year but less than two years of experience, the department only allows a capacity of up to eight children ages two through 12 if the provider is working alone. The department allows a capacity of up to nine children from birth through 12 years if the provider is working with a qualified assistant.
- Providers with at least two years of experience working alone may request a capacity of up to 10 children ages three through 12 or a capacity of up to 12 for school-age children only. If working with a qualified assistant, they may request a capacity of up to 12 children from birth through 12 years, with a maximum of six children under two years.
- Providers with two years of experience may request a license for children from birth to 24 months of age with a maximum group size of eight if two staff are present, the staff-to-child ratio is 1:4, and 15 additional square feet are provided for each infant or toddler.
Indoor early learning program space capacity
- Indoor early learning program space must have a minimum of 35 square feet per child in attendance
Childcare license application in Washington
Below are the steps to apply for a childcare license in Washington.
Step 1: Sign up for an orientation
Whether applying for a family home, childcare center, or school-age program license, participation in an orientation program is crucial.
Family home and childcare center orientations are available online in modules one and two. You’ll be issued an orientation completion certificate(s) upon completing the orientation(s). You must email the certificate to dcyf.welcome@dcyf.wa.gov to access the provider portal and online application.
Step 2: Complete and submit your license application
Emailing a copy of the orientation completion certificate grants you access to the childcare provider portal and online license application. Next, complete the Family Home and Center Child Care License Application or School-Age Program Application, depending on your interest. The department will process your license application within three months from your submission date. Ensure you’ve completed all parts as required in the application forms. Use the checklist at the bottom of the forms to double-check.
Step 3: Pass a facility inspection
The department will inspect your facility to determine if you comply with the requirements. The inspection involves assessing both indoor and outdoor areas.
Step 4: Approval
The department will award you a license if satisfied with your application. They issue three different types of childcare licenses:
- An initial license is a six-month license allowing you to offer child care while the state department of early learning (DEL) determines whether you can meet the licensing requirements over time.
- A full license is issued when DEL decides that you can meet state licensing standards. The license must be renewed every three years.
- A probationary license is issued when you’re not meeting state licensing rules, or DEL has complaints and concerns about the care you offer. However, DEL only issues this license when certain children’s health and safety aren’t threatened and they believe you can improve.
Childcare licensing fees in Washington are currently suspended until June 30, 2023. Also, consider contacting your local licensing office to know your application status if it’s already six days after submission.
Obtaining your license and writing a business plan are some of the first steps to operating your business. A tool like brightwheel’s center management feature streamlines your center’s admissions process, record-keeping, and reporting. It will save you time on administrative tasks and consolidate your center operations in one place, allowing you to scale your business when you’re ready. In addition to childcare management software, you’ll need to choose a name for your daycare center and determine your marketing strategies to help grow your program.
How to stay compliant with a daycare license in Washington
A full license expires after three years. You must submit a license renewal application 30 days before the current license expires. You must also submit a background check application every three years, when you hire a new person, move into a new home, or when a household member turns 13.
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 Washington to make informed decisions about which ones to apply for.
Start a daycare business in Washington
There are three early learning program types in Washington that require a license. Each program has specific requirements to stay compliant and operate your business. With careful planning and research, you can navigate the license application process with ease and ensure your facility is providing a safe and healthy environment for children to learn.
