Home daycare operations in Cook County are regulated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) under 89 Ill. Admin. Code 406. Licensed family child care homes may serve up to 12 children. DCFS licensing is required when caring for more than 3 unrelated children.
Home daycare in Cook County (both incorporated and unincorporated areas) is governed by Illinois DCFS licensing requirements under 89 Ill. Admin. Code 406 (Day Care Homes). A DCFS license is required if caring for more than 3 unrelated children (including the caregiver's own children under age 12). Licensed day care homes may serve up to 12 children total, with no more than 5 under age 5 and no more than 3 under 24 months. Caregivers must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, pass DCFS background checks and fingerprinting, and complete 15 hours of in-service training annually. Licenses are valid for 3 years and homes are inspected annually by DCFS. Renters must obtain landlord permission. The Cook County Zoning Ordinance permits home occupations in residential districts subject to conditions including no external signage and limited traffic impact. Home daycare operations must also comply with fire safety requirements and the Illinois Fire Marshal's standards for day care facilities.
Operating without a DCFS license: misdemeanor under the Illinois Child Care Act (225 ILCS 10). DCFS may issue immediate closure orders for safety violations. Zoning violations: $100-$750 per day.
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