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

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Services Licensing

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Services Licensing

DHHS Division of Public Health Children's Services Licensing

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Child-Care-Licensing.aspx

Child Care Licensing

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A child care license is required for care of four or more children from different families. License types include Family Child Care Home I and II and Child Care Center.

A child care license is required for care of four or more children from different families. License types include Family Child Care Home I and II and Child Care Center.

In Nebraska, anyone who provides child care to four or more children from different families must be licensed as a child care provider. There are five license types: Family Child Care Home I, Family Child Care Home II, Child Care Center, Preschool, and School-Age-Only Center.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Provisional and yearly license fees are USD 25 for capacity below 30 and USD 50 for capacity of 30 or more.

Provisional and yearly license fees are USD 25 for capacity below 30 and USD 50 for capacity of 30 or more.

Provisional License - capacity less than 30 $25 Provisional License - capacity 30 or more $50 Yearly License fee - capacity less than 30 $25 Yearly License fee - capacity 30 or more $50

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The first operating year uses a provisional license; the subsequent operating license does not expire.

The first operating year uses a provisional license; the subsequent operating license does not expire.

You will be issued a Provisional License for the first year of operation apply for a non-expiring OPERATING LICENSE

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family Child Care Home I annual in-service training: 12 clock hours when working more than 20 hours weekly; 6 hours when working 20 hours or less.

Family Child Care Home I annual in-service training: 12 clock hours when working more than 20 hours weekly; 6 hours when working 20 hours or less.

More than 20 hours each week obtain 12 clock hours of documented approved in-service training in the previous year 20 hours or less each week obtain 6 clock hours of documented approved in-service training in the previous year

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Center direct-care staff annual in-service training: 12 clock hours when working at least 21 hours weekly; 6 hours when working 20 or fewer.

Center direct-care staff annual in-service training: 12 clock hours when working at least 21 hours weekly; 6 hours when working 20 or fewer.

Annual Training of Direct Care Staff: Staff who work: 21 or more hours a week obtains 12 clock hours of in-service training 20 or fewer hours a week obtains 6 clock hours of in-service training

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/How-to-Apply-for-a-Child-Care-or-Preschool-License.aspx

Step 3 - Submit application and related information

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

All five license types require liability insurance.

All five license types require liability insurance.

All five license types are required to have liability insurance.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Once a Child Care/Preschool program has completed a provisional license year and is in compliance with all regulations, they must apply for a non-expiring OPERATING LICENSE if they wish to continue to provide licensed child care.

Once a Child Care/Preschool program has completed a provisional license year and is in compliance with all regulations, they must apply for a non-expiring OPERATING LICENSE if they wish to continue to provide licensed child care. Applies to: Nebraska child care and preschool provisional licenses

Once a Child Care/Preschool program has completed a provisional license year and is in compliance with all regulations, they must apply for a non-expiring OPERATING LICENSE if they wish to continue to provide licensed child care.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026