Daycare License Requirements for District of Columbia
Worker requirements
Must be at least 18 and have a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field including a minimum of 15 hrs. In early childhood education courses; or 2 or more years of college including a minimum of 15 hrs. in early childhood education courses and 1 year experience in a child development facility; or a HS diploma or equivalent and 3 yrs. experience as teacher or assistant teacher in child development center and 9 college credit hours in early childhood education from an accredited college or university; or experience as a teacher or assistant teacher in licensed child development center with a CDA.
Provider / Child Ratio
| Age Range | Ratio For Daycare Centers |
| 2 years – 2 ½ years | (1:4) |
| 2 ½ – 3 years | (1:8) |
| 4 years | (1:10) |
| 5 years | (1:15) |
| 6 – 14 years | (1:15) |
| Mixed age group | Ratio shall be adjusted to protect the welfare of the younger children |
| Age Range | Ratio For Family Child Care |
| All ages | (1:5) [ratio includes family members under age 6] |
| Infants | (1:2) |
District of Columbia Health Regulation Administration
Child and Residential Care Facility Division
825 N. Capitol St., NE. 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-442-5888
Fax: 202-442-9430
Web site: http://www.dchealth.dc.gov/
Child development center application and licensing
http://hrla.doh.dc.gov/hrla/cwp/view,A,1384,Q,574157.asp
Child development home application and licensing
http://hrla.doh.dc.gov/hrla/cwp/view,A,1384,Q,572295.asp
Learn more about How To Start A Daycare
