Your Leader in Early Childhood Information

If you are thinking about joining the wonderful world of licensed child care, this is the place to start.

Child care providers in the state of Colorado must be licensed by the Colorado Division of Child Care if you plan to care for more than one family's children.  Children First can help! 

Steps to becoming a licensed provider:

1. Check with your landlord if you are renting your home.  See if they are willing to let you have a child care business in their property.
2. Call your local zoning department to find out if you can have a small business in your home.
3. You may have to follow zoning and covenant rules too, depending on where you live.
4. Purchase a pre-licensing packet from the Children First office in Pueblo or Canon City. Sorry we do not accept credit cards or checks.

5. You will have to complete an application, a background check, a health exam, a home safety inspection, and trainings.  

6. Required trainings include:  Pre-licensing, Universal Precautions, Medication Administration, CPR and First Aid.  We can help you find classes or go to www.qualistar.org and search the training calendar.   Fees vary depending on the trainer.

7. Sign-up for the next pre-licensing class through Children First, we will include a Universal Precautions class at no additional charge!

If this sounds interesting to you, contact childrenfirst@pueblocc.edu.    Interested in starting a child care center?                                 We can help with that too!  

  We are happy to assist everyone in the licensing process.