East Providence, RI Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Rhode Island's family child care home licensing is administered by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) under RIGL §42-12.5 (Licensing of Family Day-Care Homes). A family day-care home may care for up to 6 non-related children (or 8 including the provider's own). DCYF regulations (214-RICR-40-00) require background checks (including BCI and DCYF child protection registry), CPR/first aid certification, minimum 35 sq ft per child indoor space, safe outdoor play area, fire safety inspection, and liability insurance. Critically, RIGL §45-24-37(b) REQUIRES all Rhode Island municipalities to permit licensed family day-care homes as a permitted use in any residential zone — cities CANNOT zone them out or require special permits for standard capacity. Group family day-care homes (up to 12 children) may require additional local approvals. Child care centers (13+ children) require conditional use permits and separate DCYF licensure. Providence Code Chapter 27 (Zoning) and Cranston Zoning Code comply with this state preemption. Pickup and drop-off traffic must not create nuisance per local codes. Pre-1978 buildings require lead paint compliance under RIGL §23-24.6.