Child Care Career

Are you thinking of starting a child care program? Quality child care is essential for parents to work and support their families. Below are helpful suggestions to consider when entering the child care profession.

  • Reasons to start a child care business: What are your reasons for wanting to join the child care profession?
  • Getting started: Would becoming a child care professional be a good investment for you?
  • Preparing a business plan: How will you prepare your budget?
  • Preparing a management plan: How will you run your business?
  • Training: What training will you need?
  • Program planning: How will you plan for the children’s growth and development?
  • Resources: What local and national resources are available to help you plan successfully?
Source: Child Care Aware
Interested in starting your own Family Child Care business?
Can I take care of children before I am licensed?

You may legally care for up to 5 unrelated children on a regular basis.

What is required of me before I become or licensed?

Please call Alissa or Tanika at (800)-932-3302 for information about home child care licensing. We can assist you in registering for any required classes and completing any necessary paperwork, etc.

The ABC’s of a Child Care Business is a great resource for those considering opening a child care. The goal of this manual is to turn the complexities of licensing, regulations, and business start-up into easy-to-use information to help you become a successful child care entrepreneur.

Orientation Training I & II are required prior to opening a licensed Family Child Care, Child Care Center, or Unlicensed Registered Ministry in Indiana. Both required trainings are available virtually via Indiana Learning Paths in I-LEAD or face-to-face with our knowledgeable staff.


Resources for Family Child Care
Tom Copeland - Treating Family Child Care as a business

Tom Copeland is a renowned tax and family child care business specialist. He is a licensed attorney and trains thousands of family child care providers each year. Copeland's website provides information on why it's important to treat family child care as a business and learn about the key aspects of planning. Topics include, legal issues, start-up costs, start-up tax issues, key aspects of a business plan, contracts, marketing, insurance, professional development and record keeping. 

How many children can I care for?
  • It depends on the type of child care program:
  • Licensed Class I Child Care Home—generally up to 12
  • Licensed Class II Child Care Home—generally up to 16 (you will need to hold a regular license for one year prior)
  • Licensed Child Care Center—numbers vary based upon available space (35 square feet per child)
  • Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministry—varies based on primary use of building
  • Legally Licensed Exempt Home Provider—up to 5 unrelated children
Interested in starting your Child Care Center?

For centers, you can find information regarding Orientation II training sessions on the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Website here.

Budgeting for Child Care Centers

Insurance for Child Care Centers

Marketing for Child Care Centers

Curriculum Planning for Child Care Centers

Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Child Care Centers (DAP)

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Planning for Child Care Centers


Money Management Tools for Family Child Care
Practical information on money management and retirement planning.

The tools listed below will help you get a better handle on managing your money. Your first step is Setting Financial Goals. Then begin tracking your monthly expenses with the Fixed and Flexible Expenses Worksheet and Table. Before you hire an employee use the Cost/Benefit of Hiring Employee Worksheet to determine the true cost.

Cost/Benefit of Hiring an Employee Worksheet

A spreadsheet that will allow you to compare the total costs of hiring a new employee (federal and state payroll taxes and workers’ compensation insurance) with the amount of income you can expect to earn by caring for additional children. In general, the spreadsheet concludes that you will need to enroll approximately two additional full-time children to cover the costs of one full-time employee.
Download Cost/Benefit of Hiring an Employee Worksheet document .

Fixed and Flexible Expenses Worksheet and Table

Use the Worksheet and Table to track your fixed and flexible expenses for one month. This exercise can be useful to help you reduce your expenses and meet your financial goals.
Download Fixed and Flexible Expenses Worksheet and Table document

Setting Financial Goals

This chart can be used to identify short/mid/long-term financial goals ultimately making it easier to meet them.
Download Setting Financial Goals document