Maine Child Care Centers and Homes License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)

Maine Department of Health and Human Services

Maine Department of Health and Human Services

"Department" means the Department of Health and Human Services.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

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https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22sec8301-A.html

Licensure of child care facilities and family child care providers

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

2 years

2

The term of a child care facility license issued under section 8301-A, subsection 2 is for 2 years. ... The term of a family child care provider license issued under section 8301-A, subsection 3 is for 2 years.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family child care providers generally provide regular paid care at home for 4–12 children under 13 who are not their children or do not live there.

Family child care providers generally provide regular paid care at home for 4–12 children under 13 who are not their children or do not live there.

"Family child care provider" means a person who provides day care in that person's home on a regular basis, for consideration, for 4 to 12 children under 13 years of age who are not the children of the provider or who are not residing in the provider's home.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The family-home exemption permits no more than three other children, or four if at least two are siblings, with no more than three total children under age two, when the provider also cares for children living in the home.

The family-home exemption permits no more than three other children, or four if at least two are siblings, with no more than three total children under age two, when the provider also cares for children living in the home.

If a provider is caring for children living in that provider's home and is caring for no more than 3 other children, or 4 other children if at least 2 of the children are siblings, and no more than 3 of the total number of children in the provider's care are under 2 years of age, the provider is not required to be licensed as a family child care provider.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Child care facilities include centers, small facilities and nursery schools. Small facilities serve 3–12 children under 13 outside the operator's residence.

Child care facilities include centers, small facilities and nursery schools. Small facilities serve 3–12 children under 13 outside the operator's residence.

"Child care facility" means a child care center, small child care facility or nursery school. ... "Small child care facility" means a house or other place, not the residence of the operator, in which a person or combination of persons maintains or otherwise carries out a regular program, for consideration, for any part of a day providing care and protection for 3 to 12 children under 13 years of age.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Both family providers and child care facilities must be licensed and comply with licensing and fire safety rules.

Both family providers and child care facilities must be licensed and comply with licensing and fire safety rules.

A child care facility must be licensed under this chapter and must comply with the rules adopted by the commissioner under section 8302-A and the fire safety requirements of section 8304-A. ... A family child care provider must be licensed under this chapter and shall comply with the rules adopted by the commissioner under section 8302-A and the fire safety requirements of section 8304-A.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The department inspects for continuing compliance before license expiration.

The department inspects for continuing compliance before license expiration.

The department shall inspect for continued compliance with applicable laws and rules prior to the expiration of the license or approval.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026