In-home daycare requirements in Washington state: the complete guide

Last updated 2026-07-09

What license do you need to run an in-home daycare in Washington state?

You need a Family Home Child Care (FHCC) license from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) the moment you care for two or more unrelated children for pay. That threshold comes straight from state law. RCW 43.216.010 defines a "family home" as a private residence where a licensee provides care and early learning for one to six children ^[11].

The FHCC license is what most people mean when they say "in-home daycare license." It's a different animal from a Group Family Home license (up to 12 children with an assistant) and from a Child Care Center license. Want to care for more than six kids in your home? That's the Group Family Home route, and it comes with extra staffing rules.

Two exemptions exist. Care for children related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption is exempt, and so is any arrangement where no money changes hands. Everything else needs a license. Part-time counts. Watching a neighbor's two kids three mornings a week counts. People assume part-time or casual arrangements slip under the rule. They don't.

You can download Washington's official Family Home Child Care application packet from DCYF's licensing pages ^[2]. A lot of providers search for an "in home daycare requirements Washington state PDF" because the governing code, WAC 110-300, is a downloadable document. That chapter is the rulebook for every licensed child care setting in the state, and it's worth reading before you fill out a single form.

What are Washington state's background check requirements for home daycare providers?

Every adult who lives in the home or regularly works there must clear a background check through the Washington State Patrol and the FBI before DCYF issues your license ^[3]. DCYF calls it a "background check authorization." It pulls criminal history, child abuse and neglect findings, and sex offender registry status.

The check costs $12 to $22 per person. The higher tier applies when fingerprints have to go to the FBI, which happens for non-residents or anyone without a Washington criminal history already on file. You renew every three years.

Disqualifying offenses include any felony involving children, sexual assault, domestic violence with a child present, and a list of violent crimes. Some bars are permanent. Others can be appealed through a variance process once ten or more years have passed and you meet specific criteria. DCYF's Background Check Central Unit handles those variances.

Here's the part that catches new applicants: household members over 16 who have nothing to do with child care still need a check. And if a teenager in your home turns 16 mid-license, you have to submit their authorization before their next birthday. Miss that, and you're out of compliance without ever thinking about it.

What are the child-to-provider ratios for in-home daycare in Washington?

Washington's family home ratios come from WAC 110-300 ^[1]. As a solo caregiver, you can watch two infants, four toddlers, six preschoolers, or seven school-age children. The table below breaks it down by age group.

Age group	Max children per provider
Infant (birth to 12 months)	2
Toddler (12 to 29 months)	4
Preschool (30 months to school age)	6
School age (5 and up)	7
Mixed ages (total capacity)	6

Those numbers assume you're the only caregiver. The mixed-age rule caps total enrollment at six children no matter how the ages break out, and no more than two of those six can be infants under 12 months.

Add a qualified assistant and you can apply for a Group Family Home license, which raises capacity to 12 children. That path requires at least one caregiver to hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent, and the grouping rules tighten.

Washington's infant limit of two per provider is stricter than most states. Wisconsin allows up to four infants in a certified family day care ^[4]. Neither is automatically better. The comparison that matters is your local market and what families near you actually need.

Ratios set your revenue ceiling. A solo provider full with six preschoolers at $1,200 a month grosses $7,200 monthly before expenses. The daycare cost guide breaks down how ratios shape the whole business model.

What training and education does Washington require before you open?

You need three things before DCYF issues your license: 30 hours of Child Care Basics, current in-person pediatric first aid and CPR, and enrollment in Washington's training registry (STARS). The training rules firmed up with the 2023 update to WAC 110-300. Here's the full list:

• 30 hours of Child Care Basics, or an approved equivalent, completed before licensing ^[2]
• Current pediatric first aid and CPR from an in-person provider (online-only courses don't count)
• STARS (State Training and Registry System) enrollment, which tracks your professional development

Once licensed, you complete 10 continuing education hours per year to keep your STARS record current and stay eligible for renewal. Those hours have to touch at least two of DCYF's core knowledge areas, which include child development, curriculum and learning environment, and family and community relationships.

The 30-hour Child Care Basics course runs $100 to $200 through most DCYF-approved providers. Some Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies offer it free or on a sliding scale if you serve subsidized families. Take the free version if you qualify. There's no quality difference.

Hold a degree in early childhood education, child development, or a related field? DCYF may waive part or all of the pre-licensing hours. Submit your transcripts with the application and ask your licensor to review them. The waiver is not automatic, so don't skip the training assuming it'll get approved.

First aid and CPR renew every two years. Keep your card on file and never let it lapse during your license period. An expired card is one of the most common citations at annual inspection, and it's entirely avoidable.

What does a Washington home daycare inspection check, and when does it happen?

DCYF runs an initial pre-licensing inspection before issuing your license, then unannounced inspections every year after. The licensor walks through every space children can reach. They care more about the physical environment than your paperwork, though they check both. Common checklist items:

• Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level
• A fire extinguisher within reach of the kitchen, with monthly check records
• Medications and cleaning products secured out of children's reach
• Safe sleep setups (firm mattresses, no loose bedding for infants)
• Safe outdoor play space, with fencing if you're near traffic
• Hot water capped at 120 degrees Fahrenheit at any tap a child can reach
• Lead paint disclosure if the home was built before 1978
• Working bathroom facilities and handwashing sinks

Once licensed, expect unannounced annual visits. A complaint can trigger an extra unannounced visit within days. DCYF posts inspection results in its MERIT (My Early Resources, Information, and Training) database, which families can search. Your record is public. Assume every parent will read it.

A cleaning routine that meets DCYF's sanitation standards is not optional. The daycare cleaning guide lists the sanitizing concentrations Washington's WAC requires for food contact surfaces and diapering areas.

Citations range from correctable (fix it on-site or within 30 days) to Class 1 violations, which can trigger immediate suspension. Class 1 violations involve immediate harm, like an unsupervised child near water or an unapproved adult present during care hours.

What health and safety standards apply to Washington in-home daycares?

WAC 110-300 spells out health and safety in fine detail. A handful of areas trip up new providers, so start here.

Sick child policies: You need a written illness exclusion policy, and you have to hand it to families in writing before enrollment. Children with a fever above 101 degrees, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash with fever have to be excluded. Your policy has to line up with DCYF's communicable disease guidance, which points back to the American Academy of Pediatrics' "Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools" ^[12].

Medication administration: You need written parent authorization and, for prescriptions, a copy of the prescription label. Log every dose with the time and the child's name. No exceptions.

Nutrition: If you join the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), meals have to meet CACFP meal patterns. Even if you don't join, Washington requires basic nutrition standards and prohibits unpasteurized foods or juice for children under 5 ^[5].

Safe sleep: Any infant under 12 months goes down on their back, on a separate firm surface, with no loose bedding, bumpers, or positioners. That's a hard rule under WAC 110-300.

Pets: Animals aren't automatically banned, but you have to document current vaccinations and a written plan for keeping animals away from children during care hours. Any bite history, and DCYF will ask you to remove the animal during licensed hours.

One more thing worth flagging: your homeowner's policy almost certainly excludes business activity. You'll need a separate rider or a commercial policy. The home daycare insurance guide covers what Washington providers carry and what it runs.

How much does it cost to get a family home child care license in Washington?

The state application fee is $40 for a Family Home Child Care license ^[2]. It's non-refundable, even if your application is denied. That's the small number. The real startup cost sits in training, insurance, and home upgrades.

Cost item	Typical range
Background checks (per adult household member)	$12 to $22 each
Child Care Basics training	$0 to $200
First aid/CPR certification	$40 to $80
Smoke/CO detectors and fire extinguisher upgrades	$50 to $300
Liability insurance (annual)	$500 to $1,500
Physical environment updates (outlet covers, cabinet locks, etc.)	$50 to $400

Outside of insurance, most providers spend $200 to $1,000 to get ready, depending on how close their home already is to code. Insurance is the wildcard. The daycare liability insurance article covers policy types and the coverage levels Washington providers actually buy.

Washington's Child Care Collaborative Task Force has pushed for lower licensing fees and startup grants, especially in child care deserts. As of 2025, DCYF runs a limited startup grant program through Child Care Aware of Washington for providers planning to serve low-income families or accept Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy. Check the Child Care Aware of Washington site, because grant cycles open and close ^[6].

One number puts Washington's market in context. Child Care Aware of America's 2023 report found the average annual cost of center-based infant care in Washington was $18,585, one of the 10 highest in the country ^[7]. Home-based care usually runs 20 to 40 percent under center rates for comparable ages, which is exactly why families look for you.

How do you apply for a family home child care license in Washington step by step?

The path runs from orientation to license in about 60 to 90 days. Here's the order DCYF lays out on its licensing pages ^[2]:

1. Attend a DCYF pre-application orientation (online or in person through your regional office). Required before you submit anything. 2. Complete the 30-hour Child Care Basics training. 3. Get your pediatric first aid and CPR certification. 4. Submit background check authorizations for yourself and every adult household member. 5. Submit the FHCC application packet: policies, floor plan, emergency procedures, and sample enrollment forms. 6. DCYF assigns a licensor who contacts you to schedule the pre-licensing inspection. 7. Pass the inspection. If there are corrections, you have 30 days to fix them and request a re-inspection. 8. Receive your license. It's good for two years.

The timeline stretches to 120 days if background checks stall or corrections drag. DCYF's stated processing goal is 60 days from a complete application, and "complete" is the operative word. An incomplete packet resets the clock.

You can start watching children for pay only after the license is in your hands. Caring for kids while your application is still pending is illegal and gets your application denied.

Every form lives on DCYF's Early Learning Licensing pages. Download the full packet, read it before orientation, and show up with questions. Your regional licensor is the best person to interpret ambiguous rules for your specific layout, and they'd rather answer questions early than write citations later.

Can you get subsidized families through the state, and what does that require?

Yes, through Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), Washington's subsidy that pays licensed providers for income-qualifying families. To accept it, you need two things: a license and a separate WCCC provider contract with DCYF ^[8]. The contract is not part of your license. You apply for it after licensing.

Once contracted, you get reimbursement rates set by DCYF based on your region and each child's age. Washington updated its subsidy rates in 2024 to reach the 75th percentile of market rates, a benchmark the federal Child Care and Development Fund requires ^[9].

CACFP (the USDA food program) is worth joining if you serve any subsidized or low-income children. It reimburses meals and snacks at tiered rates. For 2024-2025, Tier I providers in Washington receive $1.65 for breakfast, $3.09 for lunch, and $0.93 for a snack, and rates adjust yearly ^[5]. Over a full year with six children, CACFP can total $4,000 to $8,000. A lot of small providers leave that money on the table because the application looks daunting. It isn't, and the Washington State Department of Agriculture administers it for family homes.

A WCCC contract also puts you in DCYF's child care search tool, where many families start looking. That visibility has value even when the subsidy rate sits below your private-pay rate.

What records do Washington in-home daycares have to keep?

WAC 110-300 sets record retention rules, and a licensor who shows up unannounced will ask to see them. Keep the following on file:

• Signed enrollment agreements and emergency contact forms for each child
• Immunization records or a documented exemption for every enrolled child
• Daily attendance log with arrival and departure times (kept one year)
• Medication administration logs (kept one year after the child's last dose)
• Incident and injury reports (kept three years)
• Your own training records and certifications
• Background check authorizations for all household adults
• Fire and emergency drill logs (two drills per year required)
• Monthly fire extinguisher inspection records

A licensor who arrives and finds no attendance log writes a citation on the spot. Use a single binder or a simple folder system. Paper works. Digital works. The format doesn't matter. What matters is that you can put your hands on any record in under a minute.

If you want a system that maps to these rules, ChildCareComp's compliance toolkit includes record-keeping templates built around Washington's WAC 110-300 retention requirements, which saves you from building forms from scratch.

Immunization records have teeth. If a child's records aren't on file within 30 days of enrollment and you haven't documented a valid exemption or a good-faith effort to get them, you're out of compliance. RCW 28A.210.080 sets the immunization framework for child care settings ^[10].

How does Washington's home daycare system compare to other states?

Washington's 1:2 infant ratio is among the strictest in the country, its $40 fee is on the low end, and its 30 pre-licensing training hours land in the middle of the pack. Here's how it stacks up against a few frequently searched states.

State	License required for	Infant ratio (home)	Pre-licensing training hours	License fee
Washington	2+ unrelated children for pay	1:2	30 hours	$40
Wisconsin	4+ children (certified family day care)	1:4	40 hours	$35
Oregon	4+ children	1:4	1 hr orientation + 15 hours	$25
California	1+ unrelated children for pay	1:3	15 hours	$95
Texas	4+ children	1:4	24 hours	$35

Sources: DCYF WAC 110-300 ^[1], Wisconsin DCF 202 ^[4], Oregon OCC licensing rules, California CDSS Title 22, Texas HHSC Minimum Standards.

That 1:2 infant limit is the number to plan around. It caps what you can earn from infant slots, but it reflects the state's stance that one adult caring for more than two non-mobile babies alone is genuinely risky. Building a business around infants specifically? This ratio is the single most important figure in your projections.

Washington's $40 fee is low next to California's $95 and in line with most Midwestern states. Its 30 training hours are moderate. Wisconsin actually asks for more, at 40 pre-licensing hours, so "strict" depends on which requirement you're looking at.

Where can you download the official Washington in-home daycare requirements PDF?

The most direct route: go to dcyf.wa.gov and find the Early Learning child care licensing section, then the Family Home Child Care area. DCYF keeps an application packet PDF there with the required forms, a self-assessment checklist, and references to the WAC rules ^[2].

The full regulatory text is WAC 110-300, available at app.leg.wa.gov through the Washington Administrative Code search tool. Search "110-300" and download the whole chapter as a PDF ^[1]. This is the actual rulebook, not a summary. Read it. The licensor inspecting your home is working from this exact document.

Other resources worth grabbing:

• DCYF's Safe Sleep guidance document (on dcyf.wa.gov)
• Washington's Infectious Disease Guide for Child Care Settings, published by the Department of Health (at doh.wa.gov) ^[12]
• CACFP meal pattern guidance for family day care homes (USDA FNS, at fns.usda.gov) ^[5]

Child Care Aware of Washington (childcareaware.org) has regional resource navigators who'll send you a compiled packet, which can save you an hour of hunting. The service is free, so use it.

Serving military families through the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood Plus (MCCYN+) program adds Department of Defense compliance documents on top of DCYF's requirements. Contact your installation's Family Support Center for those.

Curious how Wisconsin structures its rules, a common comparison search? Wisconsin's family day care rules live in DCF 202, and its application forms are on the Department of Children and Families site at dcf.wisconsin.gov ^[4].

Frequently asked questions

How many children can you watch without a license in Washington state?

Washington lets you care for one unrelated child for pay without a license. Add a second unrelated child and take payment, and RCW 43.216.010 triggers the licensing requirement. There's no grace period. Related children (siblings, grandchildren, nieces, nephews) don't count toward the threshold, though a payment arrangement for their care can complicate that exemption.

How long does it take to get a family home child care license in Washington?

DCYF's processing goal is 60 days from a complete application. In practice, most providers report 60 to 90 days. Background check delays and inspection rescheduling are the two most common causes of longer timelines. An incomplete packet restarts the clock. Attending the pre-application orientation before you submit cuts down on back-and-forth considerably.

Do you need a business license in addition to a DCYF childcare license in Washington?

Yes. If you operate as a sole proprietor or any business entity in Washington, you need a state business license from the Department of Revenue, which costs $19 per year. Your city or county may require a local business license too. The DCYF childcare license and the business license are separate filings with separate agencies. Check your city's business licensing page for local rules.

Does Washington require a separate license for each child care location?

Yes. A Family Home Child Care license is tied to the address on file. If you move, you have to notify DCYF and complete a new home inspection before caring for children at the new address. You cannot transfer the license to a new location without a new inspection and licensor review.

What vaccines are Washington in-home daycares required to check for?

Washington requires licensed providers to collect immunization records for all enrolled children within 30 days of enrollment, following the schedule from the Washington State Department of Health and consistent with RCW 28A.210.080. Required vaccines include DTaP, polio, MMR, varicella, Hib, hepatitis B, and PCV. Religious and medical exemptions are allowed with the right documentation on file.

Can you watch children in a rented home or apartment in Washington?

Yes, a Family Home Child Care license can be issued for a rented property. You have to provide written documentation from your landlord confirming they permit child care at that address. Many apartment leases prohibit commercial activity, so read your lease carefully before applying. DCYF requires this landlord authorization as part of the application packet for non-owner-occupied homes.

What happens if you operate a home daycare without a license in Washington?

Operating without a license is a civil infraction under RCW 43.216.305 and can bring fines and a cease-and-desist order from DCYF. Repeat or egregious violations can be referred for criminal prosecution. DCYF investigates complaints from neighbors, parents, and mandatory reporters. Providers caught operating unlicensed are usually denied future license applications for a period based on the severity of the violation.

Is there financial help to start a home daycare in Washington?

Yes. Child Care Aware of Washington coordinates startup grants for new providers in shortage areas, especially those planning to accept WCCC subsidy. DCYF's quality improvement program (Early Achievers) offers coaching and stipends. CACFP reimbursements start as soon as you enroll and aren't grant-based, which makes them the most reliable ongoing support for eligible providers serving low-income families.

How often does Washington renew a family home child care license?

Family Home Child Care licenses in Washington are valid for two years. Renewal requires updated background check authorizations for anyone whose check has expired, proof of current first aid and CPR, documentation of your continuing education hours, and a renewal fee. DCYF sends renewal notices about 90 days before expiration. Don't wait for the notice. Track your own expiration date.

What is the difference between a family home child care license and a group family home license in Washington?

A Family Home Child Care license lets one provider care for up to six children in their residence. A Group Family Home license allows up to 12 children with at least one qualified assistant. Group Family Home providers have to meet extra education requirements (typically a CDA credential or equivalent), and the ratio and grouping rules are more complex. The Group Family Home license fee is higher too.

Does Washington require an emergency preparedness plan for home daycares?

Yes. WAC 110-300 requires every licensed family home to keep a written emergency and disaster plan covering evacuation routes, shelter-in-place procedures, communication with families during an emergency, and reunion procedures. You have to practice fire drills at least twice a year and document each one. The plan has to be available for inspection and given to families in writing at enrollment.

What are the safe sleep requirements for Washington home daycare providers?

For any infant under 12 months, Washington's WAC 110-300 requires back-only sleep positioning on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet, or play yard that meets current Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. Soft bedding, bumpers, positioners, pillows, and sleeping with an infant on a couch or adult bed are all prohibited during licensed hours. Violations are Class 1 citations.

Sources

1. Washington State Legislature, WAC 110-300 (Child Care and Early Learning Program Rules): WAC 110-300 governs family home child care licensing requirements, ratios, and health and safety standards in Washington state
2. Washington DCYF, Early Learning Child Care Licensing: DCYF publishes the Family Home Child Care application packet; license fee is $40 and orientation is required before application
3. Washington DCYF, Background Check Central Unit: All adults living in or regularly working in a licensed family home must complete a DCYF background check before the license is issued
4. Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, DCF 202 Family Day Care Rules: Wisconsin certified family day care allows up to four infants per provider and requires 40 pre-licensing training hours
5. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP): CACFP reimbursement rates and meal pattern requirements for family day care homes, including 2024-2025 Tier I rates
6. Child Care Aware of Washington: Child Care Aware of Washington coordinates startup grants and resource navigation for new child care providers in Washington state
7. Child Care Aware of America, 2023 Annual Report: The US and the High Price of Child Care: Average annual cost of center-based infant care in Washington was $18,585 in 2023, making it one of the 10 most expensive states
8. Washington DCYF, Working Connections Child Care (WCCC): Providers must be licensed AND hold a separate WCCC provider contract with DCYF to accept state child care subsidy payments
9. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care, CCDF Final Rule 2024: Federal CCDF regulations require states to set subsidy reimbursement rates at or above the 75th percentile of current market rates
10. Washington State Legislature, RCW 28A.210.080 (Immunization requirements for child care): RCW 28A.210.080 establishes immunization record requirements for children enrolled in licensed child care settings in Washington
11. Washington State Legislature, RCW 43.216.010 (Definitions, licensed child care): RCW 43.216.010 defines a family home as a private residence where a licensee provides care for one to six children and establishes when licensing is required
12. Washington State Department of Health: DOH publishes illness exclusion and communicable disease guidance that Washington home daycare providers must follow