The Department of Early Learning (DEL) licenses more than 7,400 child care centers and family home child care providers within Washington. Getting a child care license shows parents that you meet the state standards to ensure children are in a safe and healthy environment. Plus, as a licensed provider, you will have training and support to help you as a business owner.
If you are caring for several children on a regular basis, you may need a license. Families choose different kinds of child care to meet their needs. Some caregivers do not need a license. Those include informal parent cooperatives, and family, friends and neighbors who provide occasional care. For more information about who needs a license, click here.
The licensing process begins with orientation, which is usually a group meeting with a licensor, depending on where you live.
Read More >
This page lists the orientation schedules for each of the local DEL field offices.
Read More >
By state law, DEL must run background checks on anyone who is authorized to care for or have unsupervised access to children in licensed child care facilities.
Read More >