Licensing New Providers

If you are a Dakota County resident and interested in becoming a licensed family child care provider in the county, the first step is to contact Dakota County Child Care Licensing.

Our licensing staff will review the licensing process with you and provide application materials. Currently, the licensing process takes about 4-6 months.

Please review the following links for further information:

• Family & Group Family Child Care General Licensing Information
• Guide to Becoming a Licensed Family Child Care Provider (Spanish, Somali)
• Training for new applicants
• Potential new providers are encouraged to begin pre-licensure training after submitting your application.
• Child Care Licensing Rule, 245A, 245C, Rule and statute you must follow in order to receive and maintain a child care license.

More information

Get more information on family child care licensing from the Minnesota Depar​tment of Human Services.