Start a Child Care Business

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Starting Your Child Care Business

We are committed to meeting the growing need for quality child care throughout our service area. We work to develop additional child care resources and recruit new child care providers. Assistance and start up information is provided to individuals interested in caring for children in their home or opening a child care center.

Some of the resources available include:

  • Getting Started Provider Packets for centers and homes.
  • Technical assistance on child development.
  • Technical assistance on starting a child care business.
  • Data on supply and demand in a particular area.
  • How to be included on our child care provider referral database.
  • Information about training and grant opportunities.

Visit DCFS' Sunshine website to find more resources. 

Providing Child Care in Your Home

We offer a “Providing Child Care in Your Home” training for prospective family child care providers. The presentation is offered at various times and located in the Training Calendar & Registration.

Individuals who want to work in their own home providing care for children could benefit from these sessions. Topics include preparing your home for children, setting daily schedules, promoting your business, communicating with parents, tax deductions, keeping records, creating contracts and policies, and more. The presentation is free.

DCFS Contact Information

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is the agency responsible for licensing Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes. You may call the office nearest to you to obtain copies of Licensing Standards, or you may download them below:

Office Locations

Rock Island, Henry, Mercer Counties - 500 42nd St., Rock Island, IL 61201 (309) 794-3500

Knox, Henderson, Warren Counties - 467 E. Main St., Galesburg, IL 61401 (309) 342-3154

McDonough County - 467 E. Main St., Galesburg, IL 61401 (309) 342-3154

DCFS Licensing Regulations can be found on the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services website under the "Forms & Rules" tab. Follow the "Rules" section for links to more information!  

For more information on Provider Services or for further supports in starting a child care business, contact Michael Levis, Outreach Specialist, by email or at (309) 205-3070 ext. 4012.

CCAP Provider Resources

Are you interested in serving families utilizing the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)? We have more information on CCAP specifically for child care providers on our CCAP Provider Resources page.

CCAP Provider Training Requirements

Are you aware of the IDHS training requirements for all providers in the CCAP program to be eligible for continued payment? Find more information on these trainings and information on any updates to these requirements here.