Indiana childcare licensing is administered by the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning within the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). Facilities providing care for 7 or more children must be licensed. Indiana has one of the most detailed age-based ratio structures in the country, with specific ratios for each 6-month interval in the first 3 years.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (6 weeks–12 months) | 1:4 | 8 |
| 12–17 months | 1:5 | 12 |
| 18–23 months | 1:6 | 14 |
| 24–29 months | 1:8 | 16 |
| 30–35 months | 1:9 | 17 |
| 3 years | 1:11 | 25 |
| 4 years | 1:13 | 29 |
| 5 years | 1:17 | 31 |
| School age (6+ years) | 1:20 | 40 |
Enrollment Form
State-approved enrollment form with emergency contacts and authorized pickup authorization.
Physical Exam Report
Physician-completed physical exam report within 12 months of enrollment.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records kept on file and updated as new vaccines are received.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Indiana Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff prior to working with children.
Lead Teacher Education
High school diploma or GED plus Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant college credits in ECE.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Universal orientation training required before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Safe sleep training required annually for all infant care workers.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by FSSA. Contact the licensing office for current standards.
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually. Additional inspections based on complaints or compliance history.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact FSSA to begin the application process. Includes background checks, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact FSSA for current fee schedule.
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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