Indiana child care center license: OECOSL rules, ratios and steps

Which Indiana program type you are

Indiana regulates four main kinds of child care program, and the building you use largely decides which one applies to you. FSSA’s program matrix defines a child care center as a non-residential building where at least one child is in paid care for more than 4 hours but less than 24 hours, in each of 10 consecutive days.⁠⁵ Indiana has no “small center” floor, so a one-room program in a commercial space is a center if it meets that test. Capacity is not capped by statute. OECOSL sets it room by room, and the matrix lists centers as commercial buildings.⁠⁵

The neighbouring options:

• Licensed child care home. This is care in the provider’s own residence. Class I homes take up to 12 children plus 3 school-age children, and Class II homes take up to 16. The provider must live in the home. See the Indiana licensed child care home guide.⁠⁵
• Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministry. This is a program run by a church or religious ministry with federal 501(c)(3) tax exemption. It registers instead of licensing, is inspected every six months, and renews its certificate every two years. Taking CCDF vouchers is voluntary for ministries.⁠⁵ Ministries also send an application packet to the Department of Homeland Security, Fire and Building Safety Division.⁠²
• Legally licensed exempt programs. These programs meet a statutory exemption in IC 12-17.2-2-8.⁠² Since July 1, 2025 (House Bill 1253), a program run by a public or private school can be exempt if it is on school property, serves children of that school corporation, meets health, safety and sanitation standards (or holds a variance), and substantially complies with fire and life safety rules.⁠³ A preschool that a school corporation contracts out is different: the operating entity must apply and be licensed by OECOSL.⁠³

Public operators are covered too: IC 12-17.2-4-1 says the state and its political subdivisions may not run a center without a license.⁠¹

The 2025 law changes and the pending rule rewrite

Your most important rule source is newer than the rule itself. The center rule, 470 IAC 3-4.7, still prints the older ratio chart.⁠¹⁰ Senate Enrolled Act 463 (2025) moved center ratios into statute at IC 12-17.2-4-14.5. FSSA says that chart took effect on December 1, 2025, for licensed centers and for legally licensed exempt programs that take CCDF vouchers.⁠³ The other 2025 changes FSSA lists, effective July 1, 2025:⁠³

• A “group” is now defined as children supervised in the same space by the same staff member or members.
• Centers may put children from 6 weeks to 36 months in one classroom if they keep a 1:5 ratio and a maximum group of 12.
• High school practicum students aged 15 or older can count in ratio when they are supervised at all times and are formally placed as volunteers pursuing an early childhood career. Students aged 15 or older who attend the school corporation operating a center may also volunteer before finishing caregiver training, if they are supervised and finish training within three months.
• Variances granted to licensed centers now last three years.
• After an inspection or plan review, a program is protected for two years from new or revised building, fire safety or equipment requirements. This applies to reviews done before July 1, 2025 or in the two years after that date.
• Pediatric CPR and pediatric first aid must be completed within 90 days of starting work or volunteering (see training below).
• The tuberculosis testing mandate was removed for ministries and exempt providers. It still applies to licensed centers, but a center can file one variance per site to omit TB testing until the rules are updated.

FSSA is now rewriting the rule itself. LSA Document 26-159 amends 470 IAC 3-4.7 and the emergency closure rule, 470 IAC 3-4.8. The first proposed rule was published June 3, 2026, and a second comment period opened September 2, 2026, with comments accepted through the October 2, 2026 hearing. FSSA’s docket lists January 1, 2027 as the anticipated effective date and says these dates may change.⁠⁷ If you are designing rooms or writing policies now, check the final rule before you lock them in.

FSSA’s interpretive guide for the center rule, the most detailed public explanation of each requirement, is dated November 1, 2018. Where the 2025 laws changed something, this guide follows FSSA’s 2025 materials instead of the 2018 text.

Building, plan review and fire approval

Physical plant is usually the longest part of opening a center in Indiana. Under 470 IAC 3-4.7-2(a), all new construction needs plan releases from both the Division of Fire and Building Safety (now part of the Department of Homeland Security) and the Department of Health before construction and before licensing.⁠¹ FSSA’s guide explains that the building must meet E occupancy if it serves children 30 months and older, or I-4 occupancy if it serves children under 30 months. The applicable code is the Indiana Building Code in effect when the plans were approved.⁠¹ If you start licensing without the required plan approvals, the guide says the licensing process cannot proceed.⁠¹

By statute, the license can be issued only if the center substantially complies with the fire and life safety rules, as determined by the state fire marshal, or holds a variance.⁠¹ The center must also meet local zoning, and the rule makes zoning the center’s responsibility.⁠¹ FSSA’s forms page includes a form for proof of a local business permit or license to operate a child care program.⁠⁹ You also need a location the division does not consider hazardous to children. The guide gives heavy traffic, excavations and abandoned wells as examples.⁠¹

Kitchens are regulated twice. Centers that cook or vend food must meet the Department of Health retail food sanitation rule, 410 IAC 7-24.⁠¹ FSSA must also approve a written nutrition and food service plan and two weeks of menus before licensure.⁠¹

Space, bathrooms and the playground

These rule figures decide how many children you can be licensed for (470 IAC 3-4.7, as printed in FSSA’s guide):⁠¹

FSSA’s guide sets each center’s capacity at the lower of two figures: the room-size capacity or the toilet and sink capacity.⁠¹ It also describes the outdoor play area fencing licensing staff look for: at least 4 feet high, with no openings children can climb through.⁠¹

Ratios and group sizes in force since December 1, 2025

FSSA’s center ratio chart, issued under IC 12-17.2-4-14.5:⁠⁴

The chart allows 2.5-year-olds to be combined only with 3-year-olds. Group sizes are subject to exceptions in IC 12-17.2-4-14.5(l) and (m).⁠⁴ For comparison, the chart still printed in 470 IAC 3-4.7-47 set infants at 1:4 with a maximum group of 8, and 3-year-olds at 1:10 with a group of 20.⁠¹

Several rule provisions on ratios still apply. Ratios hold during all hours of operation, including opening and closing. In a mixed-age group, the youngest child sets the ratio. Staff with two roles, such as a teacher who is also the cook or director, count only while directly working with children. You also need a written policy on what caregivers do when ratios fall short.⁠¹

FSSA’s 2018 guide sets no separate room-size caps beyond the group-size chart. Under 470 IAC 3-4.7-49(h), the number of children in a class is also limited by the available space, so square footage can hold a room below the chart’s maximum group.⁠¹

Director and staff qualifications

Director. The director must be at least 21 and meet one of the education routes in 470 IAC 3-4.7-21:⁠¹

• a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, or in elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement;
• any bachelor’s degree plus either 15 college credit hours on children aged 6 and under or a CDA (FSSA accepts the CCP, the Preschool Associates Credential or a division-approved administrator certificate as CDA equivalents); or
• an associate degree in early childhood education plus three years of experience in an early childhood program.

FSSA’s guide says the division will consider a director variance only if the candidate has at least five years of experience in a licensed center, a licensed home or Head Start, shows proof of enrollment in a degree program that meets the rule’s education requirements, and agrees to complete at least nine credit hours.⁠¹ The director must be on site for 30 hours a week or half of the center’s weekly operating hours, whichever is less.⁠¹

Caregivers counted in ratio must be 18 or older and hold a high school diploma or an equivalency.⁠¹ Lead caregivers need a CDA, a qualifying bachelor’s degree, or an associate degree in early childhood education. A lead caregiver without one of these must take 8 extra in-service hours a year, enroll in a qualifying program within one year, and complete at least 6 credit hours a year.⁠¹ The 2025 practicum-student rule above is the exception to the age-18 minimum.⁠³

Background checks, drug tests and health records

You must complete these checks before anyone works with children:

• Criminal history. A national criminal history check through the Indiana State Police is completed before the license is issued.⁠¹ 470 IAC 3-4.7-8 lists the offenses that are grounds to deny a license or employment. A center may request a waiver, but the person cannot work there unless the waiver is granted.⁠¹
• Drug testing. IC 12-17.2-4-3.5 requires drug test results for every employee and volunteer caregiver before they start. FSSA’s guide requires review by a Medical Review Officer and says that, for initial applications, a test is valid if taken within 60 days before the application.⁠¹
• Health. Within 30 days of hire, staff and volunteers with direct contact need a physical dated within 12 months before hire. Under the rule, they also need a Mantoux TB test, repeated every year.⁠¹ FSSA’s 2025 guidance lets a center file one variance per site to omit TB testing while the rules are updated.⁠³

Training before and after opening

You complete FSSA’s Orientation 1 (start-up) and Orientation 2 (for child care centers) in I-LEAD before applying.⁠² After that:

• Staff orientation. Before staff or volunteers have direct contact with children or food, they must be oriented on the children in their care, confidentiality, discipline, meal patterns, evacuation, handwashing, diapering, medication and infant feeding. They must also be trained in universal precautions, repeated every year.⁠¹
• CPR and first aid. Under the 2025 changes, everyone must complete pediatric CPR and pediatric first aid within 90 days of starting. At least one certified person must be present whenever children are in care, and every infant and toddler caregiver in a center must hold valid pediatric CPR certification. Certification must include a live skills demonstration.⁠³
• Annual in-service. The director and everyone counted in ratio need at least 12 clock hours of training a year. The rule sets the categories: administration, curriculum and health and safety for directors; classroom management, curriculum, child development and health and safety for caregivers.⁠¹

Applying: the steps in order

1. Contact FSSA first

   Fill out FSSA’s Emerging Provider Referral Form to be connected with a specialist. Questions after orientation go to the Emerging Provider Support team ([email protected]).⁠²

2. Complete Orientation 1 and Orientation 2

   Both are in Indiana Learning Paths on I-LEAD. FSSA’s guide notes that building-plan instructions are given at orientation.⁠²⁠¹

3. Get plan releases for any construction

   These come from the fire and building safety division and the Department of Health, and you need them before you build.⁠¹

4. Apply in I-LEAD

   The application has to be complete with all required documents. It also needs your nutrition plan, two weeks of menus, and a health program on FSSA’s form, all approved before licensure.⁠²⁠¹ You will also carry liability insurance, plus vehicle insurance on any center-owned or leased vehicle that transports children.⁠¹

5. Pass the opening inspections

   Once plan approval is in hand, the licensing consultant requests inspections by the sanitarian, the state fire marshal and OECOSL. FSSA’s guide says these are scheduled within 7 days and done within 30 days of the request.⁠¹ The pre-licensing inspection is announced and covers the building, toilets, equipment, staff and child files, policies, training, the kitchen, nutrition and the health program.⁠⁶

6. Operate on a provisional license

   A provisional license lasts up to one year and is reviewed every three months. FSSA’s guide says all newly licensed centers receive one. The first provisional visit is meant to be technical assistance.⁠¹⁠⁶ If more than a year passes after your application without qualifying for a provisional license, you must reapply.⁠¹

7. Receive the regular license

   IC 12-17.2-4-8 directs the division to issue it once an investigation shows you comply.⁠¹ Denied applicants can request a hearing within 30 calendar days after receiving the written denial, and the hearing is scheduled within 60 calendar days of the request.⁠¹

None of the FSSA pages or rule text reviewed on 2026-10-12 states an application or license fee for a child care center: 470 IAC 3-4.7 and the IC 12-17.2-4 text in FSSA’s 2018 guide set none. Ask your licensing consultant whether any fee applies before you apply, and budget separately for the fire marshal, plan review and local permit costs those agencies set.

Inspections, renewal and changes

The division and the state fire marshal inspect each center every year, and FSSA says monitoring visits are almost always unannounced.⁠¹⁠⁶ Parents may visit without notice at any time the center is open.⁠¹ To renew, you file at least 60 days before the license expires. Renewal requires a satisfactory result on a full unannounced on-site inspection, and your license stays in effect while a timely renewal is pending.⁠¹⁠⁶

FSSA’s program matrix says center licenses are renewed every three years.⁠⁵ The statute text printed in FSSA’s 2018 guide says a center license expires two years after issuance.⁠¹ FSSA’s two documents disagree, and the 2018 text predates the 2025 law changes. Ask your licensing consultant which term appears on your license and when to file the renewal application.

The license covers only the licensee and the address on it, and it cannot be transferred. You need a new license before you expand services, change the ages you serve, or increase capacity.⁠¹ For a name or corporate status change, apply 30 days ahead and attach amended articles. A new owner applies and sends the bill of sale within 10 days of closing, and may receive a six-month provisional license.⁠¹

If you fall out of compliance, the division can issue a probationary license for up to six months, with one six-month extension. Within seven days, it must notify every enrolled family of the probationary license and the reason.⁠¹ A fine can be imposed with each probationary period.⁠¹

CCDF vouchers

Indiana’s subsidy program, the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) voucher, has its own provider eligibility rule, 470 IAC 3-18.⁠⁸ FSSA applies the December 1, 2025 ratio chart both to licensed centers and to legally licensed exempt programs that accept CCDF vouchers.⁠³

For Indiana’s other care licenses, see the Indiana state page and the guides for residential care facilities, personal services agencies and home health agencies.

Sources

1. 1
   Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, OECOSL, Interpretative Guide for Child Care Center Rules (effective 11-01-2018), with the text of 470 IAC 3-4.7 and IC 12-17.2-4 Checked 12 Oct 2026 · Back to text ↑
2. 2
   Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, OECOSL, Become a Child Care Provider Checked 12 Oct 2026 · Back to text ↑
3. 3
   Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, OECOSL, 2025 Early Child Care and Education Legislative and Rule Changes Checked 12 Oct 2026 · Back to text ↑
4. 4
   Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, OECOSL, Licensed Child Care Center Staff to Child Ratio Chart Checked 12 Oct 2026 · Back to text ↑
5. 5
   Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, OECOSL, Matrix of Indiana regulated child care programs Checked 12 Oct 2026 · Back to text ↑
6. 6
   Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, OECOSL, The Monitoring Process for Child Care Programs in Indiana Checked 12 Oct 2026 · Back to text ↑
7. 7
   Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, FSSA Rulemaking Docket, LSA Document 26-159, Child Care Centers Checked 12 Oct 2026 · Back to text ↑
8. 8
   Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, OECOSL, Laws, Rules and Related Policies Checked 12 Oct 2026 · Back to text ↑
9. 9
   Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, OECOSL, Child care provider forms Checked 12 Oct 2026 · Back to text ↑
10. 10
    Indiana Administrative Code, 470 IAC 3-4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing Checked 12 Oct 2026 · Back to text ↑

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