Delaware Family Child Care Home State Licensing Law

Under 31 Del.C. §§ 341-345 and 14 Del.C. §§ 3001A-3005A, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) within the Department of Education licenses every family and large family child care home in Delaware. Level I family homes serve up to six children; Level II large family homes serve up to nine children. Licensing requires criminal background checks, CPR/first aid training, home safety inspections, immunization records, written policies, and ongoing professional development. The DELACARE regulations (14 DE Admin Code 934) provide uniform standards. State licensing preempts local attempts to set conflicting child-staff ratios, square-footage rules, or child-care safety standards.

Operating an unlicensed family child care home is a violation of 31 Del.C. § 343 and may result in cease-and-desist orders, daily civil penalties, and criminal charges. Licensed homes that violate DELACARE rules face suspension or revocation.