Child Care Providers

DHS' first priority is to protect the health and safety of all children and families served in child care programs statewide, before and during the current global pandemic. Our Office of Child Care staff, including the licensing team, is vital to that goal along with our vendors, other DHS workers and community partners who help extend our reach.

There isn't anything in the child care industry, which is key to the State's economy, that this office doesn't have a hand in or oversee, advocate for and supply support to. Much of this work is in addition to administering the Starting RIght Child Care Assistance Program.

In June 2020, child care providers who wanted to reopen could under new, safer regulations and COVID-19 guidance from public health experts. Our Child Care Licensing team - licensing responsibilities was transferred from the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to DHS in 2019 - led the way in those efforts and so much more.

The following is information and resources for the State's child care providers.