Little Elm, TX Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Home-based child care in Little Elm operates under both the town's home occupation zoning standards and Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) child care licensing requirements. HHSC administers licensing through 40 TAC Chapter 745 with three tiers: Listed Family Homes care for 1 to 3 unrelated children without full licensure, Registered Child-Care Homes serve up to 6 children under age 14 plus 6 school-age children, and Licensed Child-Care Homes can accommodate up to 12 children with specific adult-to-child ratios. Criminal background checks via the Texas DPS and FBI are mandatory for all caregivers and household members age 14 and older.

Fire safety inspections by the Little Elm Fire Marshal are required for Registered and Licensed homes, including working smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, two exits, and emergency evacuation plans. 002 prevents cities from adopting regulations that conflict with state child care licensing. Little Elm home daycare operators must maintain residential appearance, limit traffic to appointment-based drop-off and pickup, and comply with parking and noise standards. Outdoor play areas require fencing meeting Little Elm pool and yard fence standards if a pool is present on the property.