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How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in Delaware (2026)

Quick answer

Paid care for one or more children under 18 without their parent/guardian, while advertising or holding oneself out as providing child care, requires a license.

License fee

There is no fee for a license.

View official source

Renewal

Unless renewed, a license expires 1 year from the date the license is issued.

View official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

How do I get this license?

  1. Check the licensing authority

    Board

    Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL)

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    “OCCL” means the Office of Child Care Licensing within the Department of Education.
    Official source

    Official agency page

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Office of Child Care Licensing
    Official source
  2. Prepare your application

    Apply with the agency

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    There are many steps to becoming a licensed child care facility. Information sessions and orientations were created to help walk you through the process.
    Official source
  3. Confirm your next step with the agency

    Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.

    Open the official agency page

What else should I know?

Agency guidance

Paid care for one or more children under 18 without their parent/guardian, while advertising or holding oneself out as providing child care, requires a license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Any person, association, agency, or organization that has custody or control of one or more children under age 18, unattended by parent or guardian, for the purpose of providing the child or children with care, education, protection, supervision or guidance; is compensated for services; and advertises or holds himself, herself or itself out as conducting such child care; requires a license.
Official source

Agency guidance

Child care includes family homes, large family homes and centers. Military family child care providers are excluded from this definition.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
“Child care” includes all of the following: ... Family child care homes. ... Large family child care homes. ... Child care centers ... “Child care” does not include any of the following: ... Military family child care providers.
Official source

Agency guidance

Inspections and assessments may carry fees even though the license itself is free.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
There is no fee for a license. However, licensing regulations require inspections that have a fee. For example, a fire marshal inspection, lead-risk assessments, radon testing, etc.
Official source

When do I renew, and is CE required?

Renewal

Unless renewed, a license expires 1 year from the date the license is issued.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Unless renewed, a license expires 1 year from the date the license is issued.
Official source

License term in years

1 years

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Unless renewed, a license expires 1 year from the date the license is issued.
Official source

Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.

What does it cost?

License fee

There is no fee for a license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
There is no fee for a license.
Official source

Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.

What are the common questions?

How often do I renew a family and center child care license in Delaware?

Unless renewed, a license expires 1 year from the date the license is issued.

Source and quotation
Unless renewed, a license expires 1 year from the date the license is issued.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

What is the family and center child care license fee in Delaware?

There is no fee for a license.

Source and quotation
There is no fee for a license.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Which official sources support this guide?

Official sources and verification (9)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.

Board

Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL)

Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL)

“OCCL” means the Office of Child Care Licensing within the Department of Education.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Official agency page

Open the official agency page

https://education.delaware.gov/families/birth-age-5/occl/

Office of Child Care Licensing
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Apply with the agency

Open the official agency page

https://education.delaware.gov/?page_id=3488

There are many steps to becoming a licensed child care facility. Information sessions and orientations were created to help walk you through the process.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Fees / License

There is no fee for a license.

0

There is no fee for a license.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

License term in years

1 years

1

Unless renewed, a license expires 1 year from the date the license is issued.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal

Unless renewed, a license expires 1 year from the date the license is issued.

Unless renewed, a license expires 1 year from the date the license is issued. Applies to: Child care license under section 3004A

Unless renewed, a license expires 1 year from the date the license is issued.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Paid care for one or more children under 18 without their parent/guardian, while advertising or holding oneself out as providing child care, requires a license.

Paid care for one or more children under 18 without their parent/guardian, while advertising or holding oneself out as providing child care, requires a license.

Any person, association, agency, or organization that has custody or control of one or more children under age 18, unattended by parent or guardian, for the purpose of providing the child or children with care, education, protection, supervision or guidance; is compensated for services; and advertises or holds himself, herself or itself out as conducting such child care; requires a license.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Child care includes family homes, large family homes and centers. Military family child care providers are excluded from this definition.

Child care includes family homes, large family homes and centers. Military family child care providers are excluded from this definition.

“Child care” includes all of the following: ... Family child care homes. ... Large family child care homes. ... Child care centers ... “Child care” does not include any of the following: ... Military family child care providers.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Inspections and assessments may carry fees even though the license itself is free.

Inspections and assessments may carry fees even though the license itself is free.

There is no fee for a license. However, licensing regulations require inspections that have a fee. For example, a fire marshal inspection, lead-risk assessments, radon testing, etc.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Not yet verified: required hours, exam, continuing education — see the official agency.

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What should I explore next?

Family and center child care in neighboring states

Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.

What’s my next step?

Last verified Oct 25, 2026.

Official sources (2)

Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.