What’s a child care incubator?
The child care incubator program was created in 2021 through Public Act 21-171 and amended in 2024 by Public Act 24-78. This law allows the Commissioner of Early Childhood to issue a license for a family child care home in a commercial facility using a space provided by an organization. No more than twenty facilities will be approved throughout the state. A license issued under this model is unique, because it’s issued to a provider outside of a private family home.
Child care incubators give providers access to a low- or no-cost space to open a licensed family child care program.
Many people who want to open a family child care program don’t have access to a suitable space. Incubators can help solve that problem by offering a safe, licensed facility for providers to run their businesses.
The program also increases the number of child care spots in the state. That means more families get access to high quality child care.
How incubators work
Incubators are sponsored by community organizations or nonprofits. The incubator is set up to host one or more individual child care programs that share resources.
Incubators also offer providers:
- A safe, state inspected, and licensed facility
- Help in meeting licensing requirements
- Ongoing training and mentorship for child care providers
To become a licensed child care provider in an incubator, you must meet all the state’s family child care home licensing regulations — plus some specific requirements for incubator sites.
First, you need to find a a sponsor organization to host your program. The community organization will be able to guide you in the process of meeting licensing requirements.
Incubator resources
Application to create a program in an incubator
There is a specific application for family child care home providers that open in an incubator site. Download the application.
Sample inspection form
Learn what to expect from an inspection for a family child care home incubator site. See a sample inspection form.
Incubator regulations
Some Child Care Center regulations also apply to Family Child Care Home Incubator sites. Read the relevant regulations.
We’re here to help!
• Use our online form
• Call us at 860-500-4450 or 800-282-6063
You can also look up the licensing supervisor for your town to contact them directly.