The agencies state $7,140 in initial fees across 5 of the 8 items; 1 are free; 2 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top and depend on the space.
How much does it cost to open a daycare in Arkansas?
$7,140 in state fees the agencies state, across 5 of the 8 licenses, permits and registrations; 1 are free; 2 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top.
What the state publishes for a daycare in Arkansas
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $7,140initial fees across 5 of 8 items
- Free items
- 1no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 2by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 8in the order to get them
Initial fees as each agency states them, summed; renewals are not included. Where a fee depends on size or sales the range is the lowest to the highest stated. Members see each row’s fee, its renewal and the official page.
Set up the business
Item Agency Fee Certificate of organization (LLC) and the annual franchise tax report Arkansas Secretary of State Premium only Doing business under an assumed name (DBA) certificate Your county clerk for a sole proprietor or partnership Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Sales and use tax permit and employer withholding registration Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Premium only City business license Your city’s clerk or treasury office Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and certificate of occupancy Your city’s planning and building departments Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Child care center license Arkansas Department of Education Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Arkansas Division of Workforce Services Premium only
What comes on top of the fees
The state publishes its fees; the space sets the rest. These work it out from your own numbers.
- Rent the business can carryMonthly sales, or seats and average check, to the base rent that fits a healthy occupancy share.Rent-to-sales calculator
- The real cost of a NNN leaseBase rent plus CAM, property taxes and insurance, each month.NNN lease calculator
- The steps in orderThe same items as a walk-through you tick off, with progress saved to your account.How to open
Fees are shown to members as published. Create an account.
Sources and dates
Secretary of State LLC filing fee schedule (revised January 2025, under Act 1041 of 2021); Secretary of State franchise tax pages; Arkansas Code 4-70-203; county clerk assumed name instructions (Benton, Saline and Carroll counties); Secretary of State fictitious name form (revised January 2025); IRS EIN page; DFA register for a tax account page; ATAP business registration; City of Little Rock, Starting a Business in Little Rock and Obtaining Permits and Licenses; municipal ordinances; City of Little Rock Planning and Development business start-up guidance; municipal ordinances; Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers (016.22.20 Ark. Code R. 005), license fee section; Office of Early Childhood application guide; Division of Workforce Services employer UI information (2026 rates and wage base); Workers’ Compensation Commission basic facts; Arkansas Code 11-9-102. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.