It is the policy of the Colorado Department of Human Services ("the State Department") to promote and encourage child care in environments that contribute to the safety, health, protection and well-being of children. To verify compliance with standards intended to ensure such an environment, the State Department requires thorough and ongoing appraisals of child care facilities, persons working in the child care profession, and the nature of care provided.

A family child care home is required to be licensed when care is provided to two or more unrelated children at any one time.

 

Applying for a Family Child Care Home License

 

You may order a Family Child Care Home Application Packet from State Forms. This application packet contains the information and forms you need to apply for a license to operate a family child care home. It is very important for you to complete all of the application requirements. Allow approximately ninety (90) days to become licensed after the Division of Child Care receives your completed application packet.

 

Your application packet will contain the following items:

• Introduction Letter
• 7.701 - General Rules for Child Care Facilities
• 7.707 - Rules Regulating Family Child Care Homes
• 7.719 - Rules Regulating Special Activities
• Application Instructions
• Original Application For A Family Care Home License
• Affidavit (English) (Spanish)
• Health Evaluation Form – Family Care Home
• 3 fingerprint cards
• Background Investigation Unit Facility Inquiry Form
• Home Care Checklist
• Directory of Approved Pre-licensing
• Training Vendors Directory of Approved First Aid, CPR and Universal Precautions Vendors 
• Qualistar information
• Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsor List for Family Day Care Homes
• Early Learning Ventures Flier

 

6 Steps to Obtain a Child Care License:

 

1.  Carefully and completely read the General Rules for Child Care Facilities, Rules Regulating Family Child Care Homes, and Rules Regulating Special Activities.

2.Complete the application form. All requested information must be filled out on the application, and both the applicant and the spouse must sign the application. Before completing the application, obtain information about and ensure that you are in compliance with any local zoning, building or planning ordinances, and any homeowner association covenants. Pursuant to General Rules 7.701.34 "...[The facility] must subit to the State Department written approval from the local zoning department approving operation of the facility".

3.Complete the top section of the Health Evaluation Form - Family Child Care Home. A prescribing health care professional must complete the front and back sections of the form, as well as sign it for each person residing in the home. Keep the completed form at your home for your licensing specialist to review when your specialist inspects your family child care home to verify that you have complied with all of the licensing rules and regulations.

 

4.Complete fingerprint cards for you, the second (2nd) provider if your are applying for a large family child care home, all adults eighteen (18) years of age and older living in the home, and for permanent substitutes. These cards are used to obtain criminal record checks from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The same card is used for both the CBI and FBI criminal record checks. Complete the following items on each card: Name (full name), Aliases (all aliases), Citizenship, Social Security Number, Address, and Reason Fingerprinted (CRS 26-6-107). Also, be certain to complete the physical description portion of the card (Sex, Race, Height, Weight, Eyes, and Hair), Date of Birth, and Place of Birth. Leave the “Employer and Address” space blank.

 

Take the fingerprint card(s) to a local law enforcement agency, such as a police department or sheriff’s office, for fingerprinting. Fingerprints cards can be obtained and fingerprinting can be completed at State Forms located at 4999 Oakland Street, Denver, CO 80239. The official taking the fingerprints must sign and date the card(s) and witness the signature of the individual(s) being fingerprinted.

  

PLEASE DO NOT FOLD THE FINGERPRINT CARDS. If more fingerprint cards are needed, contact the Division of Child Care, Colorado Department of Human Services at 303-866-5958 or 1-800-799-5876.

 

5.Make out a check or money order, payable to the Colorado Department of Human Services, to cover both the application fee and the CBI/FBI fee.

 

Fee Schedule

Type of Facility	License Application Fee	CBI and FBI Fingerprinting Fee		Total Due
		Adult(s) Living in Household, 2nd Provider for a Large Family Child Care Home, and Permanent Substitutes	Fees
Family Child Care Home	$24.00	1 Adult	$39.50	$63.50
		2 Adults	$79.00	$103.00
		3 Adults	$118.50	$142.50
Large Family Child Care Home	$36.00	1 Adult	$39.50	$75.50
		2 Adults	$79.00	$115.00
		3 Adults	$118.50	$154.50

 

 FBI Fingerprint Fees:

House bill 11-1145 passed in the 2011 session of the Colorado Legislature, mandates that all employees hired on or after August 10, 2011 at any licensed child care facility, except summer camps operating for less than 90 calendar days, shall complete a FBI background check in addition to the CBI, TRAILS, and ICON background checks currently required by law. The additional fee for a FBI background check is $22.00. Providers or prospective employees will submit their fingerprint card through the normal procedure, but will attach the additional fee.

 

Background Investigation Unit Facility Inquiry Form: This form must be completed for each adult NOT LIVING in the provider’s home that provides care for children, which includes a permanent substitute(s) and the second (2nd) provider for a large family child care home. The completed form must be accompanied by a SEPARATE check or money order for $33.00, made payable to CDHS, BIU Records and Reports. Include the completed form and check with your application packet.

6.When Steps 1 – 5 have been completed, return the following items to the Division of Child Care:

• Completed and signed Original Application for a Family Child Care Home License
• Completed and signed Affidavit (English)(Spanish) for applicant 1 and applicant 2; include a photocopy of a Colorado Drivers License or Colorado Identification Card for applicant 1 and applicant 2
• Completed fingerprint cards for you, the second (2nd) provider for a large family child care home, all adults eighteen (18) years of age and older living in the home, and permanent substitute(s)
• Completed and signed Background Investigation Unit Facility Inquiry Form and separate check or money order (if required)
• Check or money order, payable to the Colorado Department of Human Services (for the Original Family Care Home Application fee and the CBI and FBI fee)
• Mail all items listed above to: Application Processing Division of Child Care, Colorado Department of Human Services, 1575 Sherman Street, 1st Floor, Denver, CO 80203-1714.

 

After the Division of Child Care receives the items above and processes your application, a licensing specialist will contact you to set-up a time to inspect your home to verify that you have complied with all of the licensing rules and regulations.

 

 

 

 

If you have additional questions, please call the Application Hotline at 303-866-4152.

 

Please see the Family Child Care Home Resource Information for sample forms and information that may be helpful to you.

 

Thank you.

 

Additional Forms for Family Child Care Home Providers:

 

PowerPoint Regarding Family Child Care Home Rule Changes Effective January 1, 2010  

 

Complete The Following Training Prior to the Initial Licensing Visit 

(Click on the training name to be directed to the Approved Training Vendor Directory)

First Aid / CPR

Universal Precautions

Pre-Licensing

Medication Administration Training Please contact Qualistar Colorado at 303-339-6800.

 

Pre-Licensing Training

 

• Please visit the Pre-Licensing Training Vendor page for a list of Department of Human Services Approved Pre-Licensing Vendors for training dates.
• If you are interested in providing this training, please complete the application and follow the instructions on the Pre-Licensing Training Vendor page and application.

 First Aid/CPR and Universal Precautions Training

 

Please contact a vendor from the  Approved Training Vendor Directory for First Aid/CPR and Universal Precautions Training to schedule training.

 

Medication Administration Training

Please contact Qualistar Colorado at 303-339-6800 or visit the Medication Administration Program website at http://www.qualistar.org/professionals/mat.php for additional information and a list of instructors.