Illinois childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Facilities providing care for 8 or more children under age 12 must be licensed. Illinois has no licensing fee — one of the few states where a childcare license is free. Illinois requires radon testing every 3 years and lead-in-water testing with results shared with parents.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (6 weeks–14 months) | 1:4 | 12 |
| Toddlers (15–23 months) | 1:5 | 15 |
| 2 years | 1:8 | 16 |
| 3 years | 1:10 | 20 |
| 4–5 years | 1:10 | 20 |
| School age (6+ years) | 1:20 | 30 |
CFS 600 Certificate of Child Health Examination
Illinois state health certificate required for all enrolled children.
Certified Birth Certificate
Copy of birth certificate required for enrollment verification.
Immunization Verification
Current immunization records per IDPH schedule required on file.
Lead Risk Assessment
Required for children 6 months–6 years, typically included in the CFS 600.
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Consents for Emergency Medical/Trips/Topical Products
Separate consents for emergency medical treatment, field trips, and sunscreen/topical products.
Receipt of Summary of Licensing Standards
Parent must sign acknowledging receipt of state licensing standards summary.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
Exemption Policy
Medical exemptions (physician-signed) and religious exemptions are permitted. Religious exemption requires an Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption signed by both parent and healthcare provider.
Minimum Age
18 years (14+ for supervised assistants in vocational programs)
Background Check
FBI and Illinois State Police fingerprint check plus CANTS (Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System) and sex offender registry check required for all staff.
Lead Teacher Education
Minimum 60 semester hours of college coursework with 6 hours in ECE or child development.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid required with renewal every 2 years. At least one certified staff member per group.
Continuing Education
15 hours of annual professional development training required for all teaching staff.
Director Qualifications
Must be 21 years or older with minimum 60 college credits (18 in ECE) and 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare center.
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
3-year license renewal cycle.
Application Process
Contact DCFS. Includes mandatory orientation, CFS 597 application, background checks, radon test, and pre-licensing facility study.
Licensing Fee
No fee. Illinois childcare licensing is free.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
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