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Illinois Preschool Licensing Requirements

Licensing requirements, staff-to-child ratios, and teacher credential requirements for preschool programs in Illinois. Illinois also administers a state-funded preschool program — Illinois State Board of Education Preschool for All — with additional requirements.

Illinois Preschool — Compliance Quick Reference

Ages served	Typically 2.5–5 years (verify with DCFS)
Preschool ratio (licensed center)	1:12, max group 24
Regulating agency (private preschool)	Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Bureau of Child Care and Development
Regulatory code	89 Ill. Admin. Code, Part 407 — Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers
State-funded program	Illinois State Board of Education Preschool for All

Illinois preschool: Staff-to-child ratio requirements

Preschool programs in Illinois must maintain specific staff-to-child ratios at all times as required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services under 89 Ill. Admin. Code, Part 407 — Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers.

Illinois state-funded preschool: Illinois State Board of Education Preschool for All — a state-funded program that may have different ratio and credentialing requirements than privately licensed preschools. Contact the administering agency for provider qualification and funding details.

Program type	Staff:child ratio	Max group size	Notes
Private preschool (licensed center) (3–5 years)	1:12	24	Ages 3–5 years
State-funded preschool (Illinois State Board of Education Preschool for All)	Contact administering agency	—	May differ from center license ratios

Source: 89 Ill. Admin. Code, Part 407 — Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Always verify current ratios with DCFS.

Illinois preschool: Credential & training requirements

Director / Operator requirements

Private preschools operating under a Illinois childcare center license require a director meeting Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’s qualification standards under 89 Ill. Admin. Code, Part 407 — Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers. Requirements typically include ECE coursework, administrative experience, and background clearance. Some states require a specific director credential or permit for programs serving preschool-age children.

Teacher / Caregiver requirements

Preschool lead teachers in Illinois must meet minimum education requirements set by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Most states require at minimum a CDA credential or equivalent ECE college coursework for preschool teachers. Contact Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for the current teacher qualification standard, as requirements may differ between privately licensed and state-funded programs.

Annual training requirements

All preschool staff at Illinois-licensed programs must complete continuing education hours annually. CPR and pediatric first aid are required for all direct-care staff. State-funded programs may have additional professional development requirements tied to their funding contract.

How to get a preschool license in Illinois

Private preschool programs in Illinois follow the childcare center licensing process administered by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services:

Determine which licensing pathway applies: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services center license (private preschool) or Illinois State Board of Education Preschool for All contract (state-funded preschool).
For a private preschool: apply for a childcare center license through Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Bureau of Child Care and Development. The process includes application, background checks, and pre-licensing inspection.
Ensure the director meets Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’s qualification requirements before the license is issued.
Ensure lead preschool teachers meet the credential or coursework requirements under 89 Ill. Admin. Code, Part 407 — Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers.
For a state-funded preschool: contact IL DCFS (Dept of Children and Family Services) or your local school district or county office of education to apply for a Illinois State Board of Education Preschool for All contract.
Complete the pre-licensing inspection and any additional requirements.

Licensing contact: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Bureau of Child Care and Development.
Official resource: https://dcfs.illinois.gov

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Frequently asked questions: Illinois preschool licensing

Does a private preschool in Illinois need a childcare center license?

Yes — private preschool programs in Illinois that serve children in a group setting are typically required to be licensed as a childcare center by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services under 89 Ill. Admin. Code, Part 407 — Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers. The staff-to-child ratio for preschool-age children (3–5 years) in a licensed center is 1:12 with a maximum group size of 24. Contact Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for the licensing threshold (how many children trigger the licensing requirement).

What teaching credential does a Illinois preschool teacher need?

Illinois preschool teacher credential requirements are set by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services under 89 Ill. Admin. Code, Part 407 — Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers. Most states require lead preschool teachers to hold at minimum a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent early childhood education college coursework. Contact Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for the current credential standard applicable to your program type and funding source.

What is the staff-to-child ratio for a Illinois preschool classroom?

For private preschool programs licensed by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in Illinois, the required staff-to-child ratio for preschool-age children (3–5 years) is 1:12, with a maximum group size of 24. For state-funded programs (Illinois State Board of Education Preschool for All), different ratios may apply — contact the administering agency for details.

What is the Illinois State Board of Education Preschool for All and who qualifies?

Yes — Illinois administers Illinois State Board of Education Preschool for All. This state-funded program typically serves income-eligible children ages 3–5 and uses different staff ratio and credentialing requirements than privately licensed preschools. Contact the administering agency for eligibility criteria, provider requirements, and funding availability.

How is kindergarten different from a licensed preschool in Illinois?

Kindergarten in Illinois is a school-district program regulated by the state department of education under K–12 education law — not by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Private licensed preschools must be licensed by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services under 89 Ill. Admin. Code, Part 407 — Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers and meet childcare center standards. Programs serving children ages 3–5 before kindergarten age must be licensed if they meet the threshold for group care. Contact Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for the exact age and group size thresholds that require licensure.

Sources & references

This page was compiled from official government sources. Always verify current requirements directly with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services before making licensing or compliance decisions.

Also in this guide: Illinois Childcare Center Requirements, Illinois Small Family Child Care Home Requirements, Illinois Large Family Child Care Home Requirements

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or compliance advice. Childcare licensing requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services at https://dcfs.illinois.gov before making compliance decisions. Last verified: April 2026.