The following childcare situations are excluded from licensure:

• Child care provided by a relative to only related children; and, or
• Child care provided to children from a single, unrelated family, for any length of time;
• Child care provided for a cumulative total of less than 30 days in any 12-month period

If you do not meet the exclusion criteria above and wish to provide childcare in the state of Minnesota, you need to be licensed. Licensing involves working with your County Family Child Care Licensor to complete the licensing requirements as specified by MN Statute and/or MN Administrative Rule.

The process for licensing does take some time before an application is ready for approval. Expect the licensing process to take approximately 3 to 4 months after the Licensor receives the application. Depending on applicant response time, this could shorten or lengthen the licensing process. Applicants have up to one year from the submission of their application to submit the requirements before the application is void. Applicants cannot be licensed or start childcare (other than exclusions listed above) until all requirements are met and a license is issued by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

Requirements for Family Child Care Licensing are found in Minnesota Rules, Chapters 9502 and Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 142B and Chapter 245C. Minnesota Rules, parts 9502.0300 to 9502.0445 govern the provisions of licensing family and group family child care. Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 142B governs licensed programs and may supersede some requirements in the family child care rule. Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 245C governs background study processes in licensed programs.

All are online and can be reviewed at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/pubs/ or you can request a copy from your County Family Child Care Licensor.

Beginning the Process

1. Applicant reviews requirements and determines if they wish to become a licensed Family Child Care provider.
2. Applicant contacts the Family Child Care Licensor to request an application packet to begin the licensing process.
3. The Family Child Care Licensor sends the applicant the Family Child Care application packet. The Licensor will provide all required forms to be completed.
4. Applicant completes and returns application packet, along with a $50 non-refundable application fee, to the Family Child Care Licensor via email or mail.
5. The Licensor will review the application packet and schedule orientation with the applicant. Expect the process to take approximately 3 to 4 months after the Licensor receives the application

Family Child Care Licensing Fees

• There is an initial license application fee of $50. The licensing fee is nonrefundable.
• There is also a license fee of $50 per calendar year after that. The licensing fee is nonrefundable. The Houston County Licensor will send out a licensing invoice in October each year for the next year's licensing fee. Payment is “due upon receipt” of the invoice. We accept check, money order, or cash. We are unable to accept credit card or debit card payments. Make payment to Houston County Treasurer.
• An additional fee may be required if a fire inspection is warranted. 

Orientation
Orientation is hands on and completed on a 1:1 basis. This will be scheduled once the Licensor has received and reviewed the returned documents. Orientation typically runs about 1-2 hours depending on how many questions the applicant may have. Orientation is conducted at the applicant’s childcare location and includes an initial walk-through of the site.

Throughout the licensing process, the following are happening simultaneously.

Forms/Documents

• Applicant completes required paperwork, policies, and procedures.

Equipment

• Applicant acquires all required equipment including but not limited to toys, bedding, diaper changing station, cleaning supplies, first aid supplies, emergency equipment, fire extinguisher, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and more. This will all be reviewed with the Licensor throughout the licensing process.

Training

• Applicant(s), caregivers, substitutes, and helpers complete initial training requirements and return certifications to the Family Child Care Licensor. The links to trainings will be provided by the Licensor during the licensing process. All trainings will be completed through Develop.

Background Study

• The Family Child Care provider will initiate background studies for those required to complete one. This includes all applicants, caregivers, substitutes, helpers, and those residing in the home age 13 and older. There may be other circumstances in which a background study is required. The Licensor will address these situations as they arise.
• The Licensor will provide the required Data Collection Form to be completed and returned.
  • For individuals age 13 and older, a name only background study will be completed.
  • For individuals age 18 and older, fingerprinting is required. There may be instances where those younger than age 18 may require a background study as well. The Licensor will address these situations as they arise.
• At this time, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) covers the cost of Family Child Care background studies.
• The Family Child Care Licensor reviews results of background checks.
• A background study is required every 5 years. There may be instances where a background study is required sooner than every 5 years. The Licensor will address these situations as they arise.

Fire Marshal Inspection (if applicable)

• There are some instances where a Fire Marshal Inspection is required. The Licensor will inform you if a Fire Marshal Inspection is required for your proposed program. All Fire Marshal Inspections are completed by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal team.
• If an inspection is required, the applicant completes a Permission for Inspection Form and returns this with a $50 money order or cashier's check (made payable to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal) to the Licensor.
  • The Licensor will submit the paperwork and fee to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal for an inspection to be completed. If necessary, the applicant may need to make corrections to their home.

Prior to making a recommendation for licensure, the Licensor will complete a final walkthrough of the home and discuss the following:

• Ongoing training requirements
• Reporting serious injuries and abuse
• Annual visit notification and process
• Correction orders
• Variance requests
• Houston County FCC Association

Once all the requirements have been met, the Family Child Care Licensor will submit their recommendation for licensing to DCYF. Upon approval, DCYF will issue a license, and the provider can open their facility. The hard copy license mailed by DCYF to the provider must be posted in the provider's home. Licenses are valid from January 1 to December 31 of each year.

Going forward, Family Child Care licenses are a continuous license, which means the license is automatically renewed and issued each year given the provider pays the $50 licensing fee to the Licensor. The Houston County Licensor will send out a licensing invoice October each year for the next year's licensing fee. Payment is “due upon receipt” of the invoice. We accept check, money order, or cash. We are unable to accept credit card or debit card payments. Make payment to Houston County Treasurer. Once paid, DCYF will automatically issue a new license with an effective date of January 1 to December 31 of the next year. If you do not pay the invoice, a new license will not be issued