Starting a Licensed Family/Group Child Care Program
Opening a successful Family or Group Child Care Program takes time, effort and study. ND CCR&R consultants have the expertise and resources to guide you through the process.
The steps to starting a family or group child care are outlined in
Starting a Child Care Business in Your Home. This guide will help you answer these questions:
• Is a child care business right for me and my family?
• Will my home meet licensing requirements?
• Will my family adapt to sharing their home, their toys and their mother?
• How do I develop a business plan and budget?
• Will I meet the qualifications to be a licensed provider?
• How do I develop a realistic timeline for starting my business?
• Will this new venture be profitable?
Contact a Provider Support & Start-Up Consultant in your region to receive additional information and guidance related to your specific location, child care setting and business goals.
Review these resources to learn more:
Basic Child Care Training Requirement
The North Department of Human Services requires that all newly licensed family and group providers complete Basic Child Care Training within the first three months of licensure. Center, group, and family staff members are required to complete Basic Child Care Training within the first three months of hire.
Basic Child Care Training is comprised of seven courses totaling 12 clock hours. Participants must sucessfully complete all seven courses within the first three months of licensing to fulfill state training requirements. Visit the ND CCR&R Training Center to search, register and complete these courses online.
| Course |
Course Description |
Hours |
| Safe Practices and Policies |
Explore general safety guidelines for alll children as well as ways to meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers. |
1.5 |
| Healthy Practices |
Learn simple things you can do to make your child care setting a healthier place. |
1.5 |
| Illness Prevention and Management |
Discover what policies and procedures are needed to prevent and manage infectious desease in a a child care setting |
1.5 |
| Food and Nutrition |
Learn how nutritious meals and snacks can support the development of healthy eating habits in young children. |
1.5 |
| Elements of an Effective Environment |
Discover what key elements in an effective child care environment can help children feel welcome and encourage them to explore and learn. |
2.0 |
| Getting in Tune |
Learn how to form sensitive and responsive relationships that support a child’s learning and development. |
2.0 |
| Mandated Reporting |
Identify why, what, where, and when to report suspected child maltreatment. |
2.0 |
Basic Child Care Training content is also available via DVD for those without internet access. Course materials and reviews are delivered and returned by mail. Successful completion of the course is determined after materials have been returned and reviewed by ND CCR&R. Contact your local ND CCR&R office to order materials.
