Start a Daycare or Preschool in Tennessee

This page is INFORMATIONAL ONLY and we strongly recommend that you contact the Licensing Agency for Tennessee directly. Please visit the Tennessee Childcare Licensing Website today!

Type
Exempt
Family Home Childcare
Group Home Childcare
Center Based
Max Children
1 – 4 unrelated children
5-7 children
7-12 children
Based on location
Providers Kids Included?
No
No
No
Yes

Where should you start?

The hardest part of starting a daycare is figuring out how to begin the process. Right?

Maybe you have searched around already and are puzzled by the state requirements. Don’t worry. We have been there and can simplify this process for you.

Below you will find 5 easy steps to get your Tennessee daycare (either YOUR home or another location) going.

Step 1: Contact the Child Care Resource and Referral Center for your county
Use the form provided in our “How to Start Your Daycare” program to get all the important questions answered. They offer an orientation class that will answer many of your questions and is required if you will be getting licensed.

Step 2: Decide if you can start small and be an exempt provider
In Tennessee you can care for up to 4 unrelated children and not have to be licensed, so we recommend that you start there. You can always apply to be a licensed provider when you have enough students to necessitate it. Remember, the process for getting students won’t happen overnight. Why increase your costs right away?

Step 3: Begin the setup process for your daycare
Setting up your daycare, marketing you services, and finding great families is not hard to do if you have the step by step guidance our Start Your Daycare System offers. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE.

Step 4: Open your small daycare
Everyday management is explained and outlined for you in our program – accounting suggestions and fully customizable forms, contracts, and templates are included with our program.

Step 5: When you are ready, move to the licensed status
Let us know that you want to get registered or licensed and we can help you to do it quickly and affordably.

TN Exempt Childcare

Examples of child care which do not require a license;

  • Care provided in a child’s own home
  • Programs which operate less than three hours a day
  • Programs which care for fewer than five unrelated children
TN Family Childcare Home

Links:

Tennessee Family Childcare Home Rules and Regulations Summary

General Requirements

Max # of Children: 5 – 7 children
Ages: The exact number of children you can have is based on their ages. By default the number of allowed children will go down the younger the children in your group are.
Background & Fingerprinting: Required
Background Check for other people in the home: Required

Training Required

Orientation Class: Yes (free training provided in licensing process)
Abuse and Neglect Class: Yes
Adult / Infant First Aid and CPR: Provider must have pediatric CPR and first aid training. Someone with this training must be at the location at all times, so it is best to have your subs trained as well.
Bloodborne Pathogen: Yes, if transporting. Some First Aid training classes will include it.

Inspections Required

State Inspections: Annually (or sooner if a complaint is filed)
Sanitation Inspection Required for License: Yes, it’s included in the licensing evaluation.
If you are not on public sewer / water, your well might need to be inspected. Your water heater might also need to be inspected by a service as well.

Costs

Application Fee: $100
Sanitation Inspection: Basic inspection icluded. If you need additional inspecting, the fee will vary.
Background & Fingerprinting: Cost covered by your licensing fee

Background Check for other people in the home: Cost covered by your licensing fee

TN Group Childcare Homes

Links:

Tennessee Group Childcare Home rules and reglations.

General Requirements

Max # of Children: 8 – 12 children
Ages: The exact number of children you can have is based on their ages. By default the number of allowed children will go down the younger the children in your group are.
Background & Fingerprinting: Required
Background Check for other people in the home: Required

Training Required

Orientation Class: Yes (free training provided in licensing process)
Abuse and Neglect Class: Yes
Adult / Infant First Aid and CPR: Provider must have pediatric CPR and first aid training. Someone with this training must be at the location at all times, so it is best to have your subs trained as well.
Bloodborne Pathogen: Yes, if transporting. Some First Aid training classes will include it.
Teacher Requirements: Click here to review the requirements you need to be a provider and/or teachers
Medical Exam: Required
TB Test: May be required if you are considered high risk

Inspections Required

State Inspections: Annually (or sooner if a complaint is filed)
Sanitation Inspection Required for License: State Health Inspection needed

Costs

Application Fee: $125
Sanitation Inspection: State Health Inspections fees vary, but are low ($0 – $50)
Background/Fingerprinting: Cost covered by your licensing fee

Background Check for other people in the home: Cost covered by your licensing fee

TN Center Based Childcare

Links:

Tennesee Center Childcare rules and reglations summary

General Requirements

Max # of Children: Variable based on size of facility
Background Check: Required on all staff and volunteers left alone with children.
Director Qualifications: Review the Center rules and regulations to find out what qualifications a director must have.
(If you aren’t qualified as a director, you can hire someone that is until you meet the requirements.)

Training Required

Orientation Class: Yes (8 hours of free training)
Abuse and Neglect Class: Yes
Adult / Infant First Aid and CPR: Yes
Blood-bourne Pathogen Class: Yes, if transporting

Inspections Required

State Inspections: Every year (or sooner if a complaint is filed)
Sanitation Inspection Required for License: Yes, yearly (Health & Safety Inspection and a Fire Inspection)

Costs

Application Fee: Depends on the number of children you want to have
Sanitation Inspection: Varies county to county
Fire Inspection: Varies county to county (sometime no charge)