Tulsa, OK Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Operating a child care home in Tulsa requires compliance with both Oklahoma state licensing law and the City of Tulsa zoning code. Under the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act (10 O.S. §401 et seq.), any person caring for two or more unrelated children in their residence on a regular basis must obtain a license from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Child Care Services division. Family Child Care Homes may serve up to seven children including the caregiver's own children under age six, while Large Family Child Care Homes may serve up to twelve with an approved assistant. Licensing requires criminal background checks for all adults in the home, fingerprinting through OSBI and FBI, completion of orientation and pre-service training, annual continuing education hours, CPR and first aid certification, a fire marshal inspection in many cases, and a home safety inspection by DHS licensing staff. Programs are subject to unannounced monitoring visits and must meet ratios, supervision, nutrition, and developmental programming standards. The City of Tulsa Title 42 zoning code recognizes state-licensed family child care homes as a permitted home occupation in residential zoning districts, provided the operator maintains the state license and complies with general home occupation standards including no exterior alteration of the dwelling, limited signage, parking accommodation for drop-off and pickup, and the operator residing in the home. Larger child care centers serving more children require commercial zoning and a separate site plan review.