How to Open a Daycare in Texas: A Complete Guide

Starting a daycare in Texas is not just a business opportunity—it’s a meaningful way to support families, shape young minds, and make a lasting impact in your community. Whether you’re driven by a passion for early childhood development or you see a growing need for quality childcare in your area, opening a daycare can be a rewarding and fulfilling journey. However, running a successful daycare requires more than just a love for children. It involves careful planning, a clear understanding of state regulations, and the ability to manage both the educational and business aspects of the operation.

Texas, like all states, has specific licensing standards and procedures in place to ensure the safety, well-being, and proper development of children in care. These include guidelines for staff qualifications, facility setup, health and safety protocols, record-keeping, and more. Navigating this process may seem overwhelming at first, but with the right information and resources, you can move forward with confidence.

This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get your daycare up and running in Texas—from understanding licensing requirements and preparing your facility, to completing the necessary paperwork and considering tools to help manage your day-to-day operations. Whether you're planning to open a home-based daycare or a larger center, this resource is designed to help you build a solid foundation for your program and take the first steps toward creating a nurturing environment where children can thrive.

Do I need a childcare license in Texas?

In Texas, you must get a license from the state before you can take care of children for pay. The kind of approval you need depends on the type of care you plan to give.

In Texas, the group that handles childcare approval is called Texas Health and Human Services. They make sure all places that care for kids follow the state's safety and health rules.

Taxes day care Licensing

There are four main types of licenses or approvals you can apply for:

• Child care home with full licensing
• Home-based care with state registration
• Family care at home with simple listing
• Child care center with full licensing
  

Licensed child care home 

To get this type of approval, the caregiver must look after kids at their own residence. You’re allowed to watch up to six young ones, plus as many as six older children after school. Altogether, no more than a dozen kids—including the caregiver’s own—can be present at any one time.

You need to offer care for at least part of the day, three or more times a week, for three weeks straight. Another option is to be open for a few hours each day across at least 40 separate days in a year.

Texas Childcare Approval: What You Need to Know

What you’ll need to qualify depends on the kind of childcare setup you're planning. Below is a summary of what’s expected based on different care types:

Home-Based Care: Licensed or Registered
‍

• Be no younger than 21
• Hold a diploma or equivalent
• Complete required learning programs
• Show proof of finishing an initial training session within a year of applying
• Pass a background screening
• Have up-to-date training in emergency help for children
• Carry insurance that protects against claims
• Follow all additional steps from the overseeing state agency
  

Family Home (Listed)

To qualify, you must:

• Be at least 18
• Pass the state’s background review
• Provide proof of liability protection
• Meet any other instructions from the overseeing office

Care Facility for Groups of Children

The manager must:

• Be 21 or older and meet educational rules
• Complete all safety screenings
• Hold coverage in case of incidents
• Satisfy all extra guidelines set by the state
  

What Certifications Do I Need to Open a Daycare in Texas?

• First Aid and CPR: Required for all caregivers.
• Child Development Training: Includes topics like safety, nutrition, and early childhood education.
• Background Check: Mandatory for all staff.
• Fire Safety Inspection: Ensures your facility meets fire codes.
• Health and Sanitation Certification: Covers proper hygiene and disease prevention.

How to Get Started: Applying for Approval

There are different steps depending on whether your setup is home-based or center-based.

In-home daycare requirements texas

Step 1: Join a starter class

You’ll begin by joining basic training, often online. Local offices can give you schedules. Once finished, you’ll get a paper showing you completed it—this must go with your forms.

Step 2: Review all required rules

After training, you’ll get more info and documents you need. Make sure you understand what’s required before going forward.

Step 3: Make a web account

Before applying, you must sign up online with the state’s system. This lets you send in your forms and other materials.

Step 4: Apply and pay your fee

Once your forms are submitted, someone from the agency will get in touch to talk about next steps and give you an ID number. This number turns into your official approval once you're cleared.

Center-Based Care Setup

Step 1: Attend a licensed center pre-application class

The first step is to attend a licensed center pre-application training online or contact your local child care regulation office for classes scheduled in your area. You must include your training proof when applying.

Step 2: Review all required rules

After finishing the training, you’ll get more steps to follow and forms to fill. Be sure to understand what’s expected before going ahead.

Step 3: Submit your forms and fee

Submit your application to your local childcare regulation office. Contact your local office with questions regarding the requirements or how to complete your application correctly

Step 4: Make an online provider profile

Once your paperwork is accepted, you’ll receive an ID number for your center. With that, you can set up an online profile to upload forms and update center info as needed. Your ID turns into your official license once you're fully approved.

Funding Resources for Your Childcare Business

As you work through the licensing process for your childcare business, you may discover grants and other funding opportunities designed to support your growth. Grants—often provided by government agencies or private foundations—are a valuable yet underutilized resource. Unlike loans, grants do not require repayment, making them a highly attractive option for providers looking to expand or improve their services.

Grant funding can be used for a variety of needs, including facility upgrades, new equipment or educational materials, and professional development for staff. Because funding opportunities differ by state, it’s important to research what’s available in Texas. Understanding the specific grants and programs offered to Texas childcare providers can help you make informed decisions and maximize your business’s potential.

Begin Your Daycare journey in Texas

Launching a daycare center in Texas begins with selecting the right type of license for your specific business model. It's important to thoroughly review the licensing requirements and follow each step of the application process to ensure compliance and avoid delays. With the right preparation, you'll set a strong foundation for a successful and sustainable childcare program.

As you approach the operational phase, choosing the right childcare management software becomes key. That’s where illumine comes in. Built to support new childcare programs, illumine offers intuitive tools that streamline day-to-day tasks, improve parent communication, and support long-term planning. Whether you're newly licensed or preparing for your grand opening, you can start organizing your program on illumine before welcoming your first child.

How illumine Can Help You Get Started

Starting and growing a childcare business is a journey, and you don’t have to do it alone. There are state resources, industry networks, and tools like illumine to help make your job easier. 

If you’re looking for a way to simplify operations, streamline compliance, and enhance parent engagement, Book a demo with illumine today and get an up-close look at how we can help you grow your childcare business.