Indiana Family Child Care Home Licensing Universal Standards

Under IC 12-17.2-5, a Class I family child care home cares for 6-12 children including the caregiver's own children under 11, while a Class II home (in a non-residential building) serves up to 16. Operators must obtain an FSSA license, complete background checks for all adults in the home, complete CPR/first aid and 12 hours of annual training, maintain ratios such as 1:6 with no more than two children under 24 months, and pass health, fire, and sanitation inspections. Caring for fewer than six unrelated children is unregulated. The Indiana statute applies uniformly; local zoning may regulate location but cannot impose conflicting licensing.

Operating an unlicensed home over the five-child threshold is a Class B misdemeanor and can result in license denial, fines, and child removal by FSSA. Repeat violations escalate to felony charges.