Hi, You can use our licenses and permits tool to learn which apply to your state for your child care venture.

As others mentioned, in most states you have to be licensed to care for
children, including in your home. In my state, if you care for four or more
children, you need a license from your city, or if you live in a rural area,
from the state department of health and welfare. Your facility or home must
also be inspected and licensed by the department of health. You may want to
check your state's business web site for information or call your local city
clerk's office. They should be able to provide information on the
requirements in your area.

I am a retired Registered Home Child Day Care provider in Texas and I believe
most states will have requirements for licnesing or registration. In Texas it
is actually illegal to do childcare in your home for any child who is not
closely related to you, without being either licensed, registered or at least
listed with the state. Being listed allows you to only take care of no more
than 3 children at any one time. To violate these rules in Texas, some people
don't realize it, but you would actually be operating an illegal child care
facility! Do a web search using the words "child care" and your state to find
out.

What state do you live in?

Here in California there is a registration and licensing system in place for
child care in terms of centers, home day care's as well as individuals.

I'd work on finding out what licensing requirements your state has first. As
an example, California's license system can be found at:
http://ccld.ca.gov/PG411.htm

After that I think you're most difficult task is going to be to find clients.
Using VA benefits to get started is a great idea, hopefully you'll have at
least 6 months to run your business without having to worry about the
finances. Start up of any business can be a bear financially.