Home daycare in Des Plaines is regulated primarily by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) under 89 Ill. Adm. Code Parts 406 and 408. Family child care homes may serve up to 8 children; group homes up to 12 children with an assistant. The City permits licensed home daycare as a home occupation with conditions on traffic and outdoor play areas.
Illinois DCFS licenses family child care homes under 89 Ill. Adm. Code Part 406 and group child care homes under Part 408. A family child care home license permits up to 8 children including the caregiver's own children under age 12, with no more than 3 children under age 2 and no more than 5 children under age 6. A group child care home license allows up to 12 children with a qualified assistant. DCFS requires background checks for all adult household members, CPR and first aid certification, and an inspected home meeting fire safety, sanitation, and child-proofing standards. Des Plaines's zoning code permits licensed home daycare as a home occupation but operators must comply with City conditions on parking, drop-off and pickup management to prevent traffic hazards, and adequate fenced outdoor play areas. Operators should notify the Des Plaines Department of Community and Economic Development to confirm any local home occupation registration requirement.
Operating a home daycare without DCFS licensing violates state law and may result in DCFS enforcement action including fines and cease-operations orders. Operating in violation of City zoning conditions may result in code enforcement action at (847) 391-5300 with fines beginning at $50 per day.
Des Plaines, IL
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