The agencies state $31,480 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 Rhode Island?
$31,480 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 Rhode Island
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $31,480initial 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 Articles of organization (LLC) and the annual report Rhode Island Department of State Premium only Trade name registration (DBA) Rhode Island Department of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Sales tax permit and withholding registration Rhode Island Division of Taxation Premium only City or town business registration or license Your city or town clerk or licensing board Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning certificate, building permits and certificate of occupancy Your city or town zoning enforcement officer and building official Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Child care center license Rhode Island Department of Human Services Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, TDI withholding, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training 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
Department of State articles of organization (R.I. Gen. Laws 7-16-6) and LLC annual report form 632 (revised March 2026); Department of State trade name registration page and online filing guide; R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-1 as amended for 2026; IRS EIN page; Division of Taxation sales tax permit guidance (R.I. Gen. Laws 44-19-1); form BAR; RI.gov business assistant; municipal licensing ordinances; R.I. Gen. Laws 45-24-31 (zoning certificate); municipal building and zoning offices; R.I. Gen. Laws 42-12.5-5; DHS universal child care application; 218-RICR-70-00-1 (child care center regulations); Department of Labor and Training 2026 unemployment and TDI rate release; Employer Tax Unit pages; R.I. Gen. Laws 28-29-6 and 15-24-2. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.