Apply for a License: Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes

Step 1: Learn about licensing and child care regulations

Watch our videos about opening a licensed child care center or group child care home and maintaining compliance.

Review the statutes and regulations related to child care centers and group child care homes.

Step 2: Download and fill out your application

The application PDF gives you an overview of the process and includes some additional forms and a checklist of all the information you need to submit.

• Application for Group Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers

Step 3: Submit your application

You will need to pay a fee for your license.

• Child care center license: $500
• Group child care home license: $250

Make a check or money order payable to “Treasurer State of Connecticut.” This fee is non-refundable.

Send your application and payment to:

Office of Early Childhood
Division of Licensing
450 Columbus Blvd. Suite 302
Hartford, CT 06103

Step 4: Wait for an email from OEC and then submit a background check

After we review your licensing application, you’ll get an email from OEC with a link and instructions to start the background check process. Remember that getting a background check (for you and your staff) is a required part of getting licensed.

Learn more about who needs a background check and how to complete the process.

Step 5: Get ready for the inspection

Once you have submitted your background checks and your application is complete, a member of our licensing staff will contact you to schedule an inspection.

As soon as you’re licensed, you can start providing care for children. We conduct annual unannounced inspections to monitor compliance with all statutes and regulations.

How do I renew a license?

You’ll need to renew your program’s license every 4 years. We’ll send you a letter when it’s time to renew with instructions on how to do it online. 

• Renewing a group child care home license: $250
• Renewing a child care center license: $500