Overview

There are three types of licensed care: 

  • Child Care Home

  • Child Care Group Home

  • Child Care Center

While many of the requirements apply to all types of child care facilities, each facility type does have facility specific requirements.   

The Child Care Program Office is your source of support for state-licensed child care facilities, located outside of Anchorage.  If your facility will be located within the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA), visit:

Visit the MOA Child Care Site

Where do I start?

Child care facility owners make decisions about every aspect of their business. Along the way, these decisions shape the unique approach they will take to early childhood care, recognizing that families have different needs and preferences. Child care programs vary in size, location, services, and philosophy. 

Key considerations can include:  

  • How many children will we care for? 

  • What will their age ranges be? 

  • How many staff will I need? 

  • What kind of physical space will I need, including an outside play area? 

  • What support is available to a center like mine? 

You may consider starting your journey by visiting the websites or calling ahead to ask for a tour of the physical locations of other centers. Some may be willing to answer your questions and provide input as you explore your options. 

For all providers 

These resources provide an overview of the process to become licensed, no matter which type of facility you will operate. 

Online service portal: 

Once you have made the decision to become a child care owner, please visit the Alaska Child Care Information System:

Visit AKCCIS

For all providers

To open a child care home:

View

A child care home is a facility operated within a residence where the business owner lives, providing care for up to eight children. When applying for a Child Care Provisional Home License, applicants should review the Introduction to the Provisional Child Care Licensing Process along with any additional required materials. Carefully following the provided instructions will help ensure a smooth and successful application process. Navigate to the  on-line child care system to easily submit your application online.

To open a child care group home:

View

A child care group home must have 2 adult caregivers, 1 of which is the “Administrator” who must be at least 21 years old. A group home is a facility operated within a residence where the business owner lives, providing care for 9-12 children. When applying for a Child Care Provisional Home License, applicants should review the Introduction to the Provisional Child Care Licensing Process along with any additional required materials. Carefully following the provided instructions will help ensure a smooth and successful application process. Navigate to the  on-line child care system to easily submit your application online.

To open a child care center:

View

A child care center is a facility that provides care for 13 or more children. When applying for a Child Care Provisional Center License, applicants should review the Introduction to the Provisional Child Care Licensing Process and any additional required materials. Carefully following the provided instructions will help ensure a smooth and successful application process. Navigate to the  on-line child care system to easily submit your application online.

To request an exemption:

View

Legally exempt child care providers are exempt from licensure and are approved to provide services to children whose families receive child care assistance.  

These include:

Online service portal

Once you have made the decision to become a child care owner, please visit the Alaska Child Care Information System:

Alaska Child Care Information System

Resources

Related Education

Contact us

Office of the Commissioner