Please visit the Early Learning Division for most current information:
https://oregonearlylearning.com/providers-educators/become-a-provider/licensed-childcare/#overview
In order to become registered, you need to complete the following trainings):
- Foundations of Early Learning
Do you have a passion for Child Care?
Your journey begins with curiosity and passion. There are multiple options for becoming a Child Care Provider in the State of Oregon, including licensed and licensed exempt programs.
For more information about the types of Child Care options, click here.
Child Care Resource and Referral is here to offer free support you as you navigate the licensing process.
We offer you free training, support, and one-on-one coaching from the beginning of your professional journey and beyond. To get connected with an Early Education Consultant at CCR&R contact Patricia Steele at patricia.steele@mhcc.edu.
License Exempt Child Care
Child Care License Exemptions
Some types of child care are not required to be licensed with the Early Learning Division Office of Child Care. If any of the following exemptions apply to you and the type of care you provide you are not required to be licensed, but you may be required to record as a program:
- I am providing care in the home of the child and all children present, not including my own children, reside in the home.
- I am related to all the children I care for.
- All the children I care for – not including my own children – are from the same family.
- The number of days that I care for children is not more than 70 days in a year.
- I am caring for three or fewer children, not including my own children, at any one time.
- I am operating a program that is for school-age children, is focused on a single enrichmentactivity and operates for no more than eight hours a week.
- I am operating a program that is mostly a group athletic or social activity and is sponsored byan organized club or hobby group.
- I am operating a parent cooperative child care program. Parents of the children in care mustprovide care on a rotating basis and the program cannot operate for more than four hours perday.
- The program is operated by a school district, political subdivision of the state or a governmental agency.
- I am operating a program in a facility that provides care to children while the parents remainon the premises and are engaged in an activity offered by the facility or in other non-workactivity.
- I am operating a preschool recorded program or a school-age recorded program.
Disclaimer: This is an informational tool only and may not be relied upon for a determination of exempt status. Please contact OCC staff should you have any additional questions
What is Registered Family Child Care?
Registered Family Child Care is a home based program in which you are allowed to have up to *10 children in your care at any one time.
For more information about this program visit the Office Of Child Care website click here
*See Office of Child Care Rules for age restrictions and limitations click here
Steps to becoming a Registered Family Child Care Provider
For more information about how Registered Family Child Care programs, review the Guide to Registered Family Care
ENGLISH ESPAÑOL РУССКИЙ TIẾNG VIỆT 中文
Ready to get started?
The first step to becoming a Registered Family Child Care Provider is to become familiar with the Health and Safety Rules from the Office of Child Care (OCC). You may download the rulebook below:
ENGLISH ESPAÑOL РУССКИЙ TIẾNG VIỆT 中文
You will also want to become familiar with the Health and Safety Requirements for your home Environment; you can view a sample Office of
Child Care Health and Safety Checklist here.
ENGLISH ESPAÑOL РУССКИЙ TIẾNG VIỆT 中文
Providing Registered Family Child Care if you are operating a small business in your home so you will also want to be sure to check with your Home Owner’s or Neighborhood Association if you have one, or if you are renting/leasing you will want to check with your property owner before starting your business.
(For more information on business resources, visit our business page Link here)
Once you have decided, your home meets the health and safety requirements you are ready to being you education and training.
In order to become registered, you need to complete the following trainings:
- Introduction to Registered Family Child Care Part 1
- Introduction to Registered Family Child Care Part 2 (in person/Zoom with your local CCR&R)
- Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety
- Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
- Infant and Child First Aid and CPR
- Food Handler Card
- Safe Sleep for Oregon Infants
All trainings are free of charge, most trainings are online and self-paced, you can access links to all trainings in the following document — Steps to becoming a Registered Family Child Care Provider.
You will also need to:
- Have all residents of the home, 18 and older, complete a background check through the OCC; to enroll in the Central Background Registry. Apply online (preferred method) or paper application here
- Have your water tested for lead by an approved lab (click here for free lead testing for Multnomah County Residents)
- Send in your Registered Family application and fee (you will get this at the part 2 training) Schedule a Health and Safety Review with your Licensing Specialist when they call
Download the following document to access training and track your progress
Steps to becoming a Registered Family Child Care Provider
Need more assistance?
Contact an Early Childhood Education Consultant for more support
— FREE OF CHARGE —
503.491.6205
CCRRinfo@mhcc.edu
Certified Family Child Care
Certified Family Child Care is additional option for those interested in becoming a licensed Child Care provider. This business it typically conducted in a single family home, typically the provider’s own home. License is limited to one provider per household. The provider may hire additional staff.
- A maximum number of 12 children (16 children with prior approval by the Office of Child Care) are allowed in care at any one time. The provider’s own children are included in the determination of caregiver/child ratio and group size.
- An environmental health specialist, as well as a licensing specialist from the Office of Child Care must inspect and approve the home prior to a license being issued. Both specialists must conduct an annual inspection before a license is renewed.
- The, provider, all other residents of the home, substitute caregivers, staff, volunteers, and 18 years of age or older must be enrolled in the Office of Child Care’s Central Background Registry.