Who needs an early care and education center license in Delaware?
Issued by Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
A center cares for 13 or more children, or any number in a commercial setting; licensing moved from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families to the Department of Education. Attend the Office’s orientation, then apply for each address with the zoning approval, the State Fire Marshal’s day-care plan review and inspection, the floor plan and the director’s qualifications; background checks cover every staff member before the compliance review that leads to the initial provisional license.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing.
Sources and dates
Office of Child Care Licensing center pages and start a child care business page; DELACARE Regulations for Early Care and Education and School-Age Centers (14 DE Admin. Code 933). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
Yes. A center cares for 13 or more children, or any number in a commercial setting; licensing moved from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families to the Department of Education.
No. In Delaware it is listed for daycares.
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing.
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs an early care and education center license in Delaware?
