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1. Who must be licensed?

According to state law, anyone caring for children from more than one (1) unrelated family must be licensed. Providing child care, illegally, is a misdemeanor.

2. Is there a fee for licensing?

Child care licensing fees were implemented on October 1, 2003. Fee information can be found in Minnesota Statute 245A.10. 

3. Are there any other fees?

If your home meets the requirements for a fire marshal inspection, there is a fee for that inspection. According to law, it may not exceed $50 per inspection. Fire marshal inspections in Chisago County are completed by the State Fire Marshal Office or designated local fire departments.

4. How do I get a license?

At the orientation training session, child care licensing staff will cover licensing rules and child care practice.

Department of Human Services (DHS) Licensing Applications can be found on the DHS Website - Child Care Licensing or on the Chisago County Child Care Licensing - Forms Page of our website.

After the county receives a completed application, a background study is completed of the applicant and family members. Background studies are completed by DHS and are fingerprint based studies.

When all application information has been received, and the background study is successfully completed a home licensing inspection is scheduled. Once the inspection is completed, and all other requirements are met, licensing staff recommends that the Minnesota Department of Human Services issue a license.

5. Will child care licensing staff continue to help me once I am licensed?

Licensing staff assists providers in many ways, including:

• Newsletters with important child care information, including training opportunities and legislative updates.
• Licensing staff is available to supply state and local licensing and best practice information, as well as to answer questions.
• Providing health and safety information.
• Referral to resources.

6. What else do I need to know?

Licensed family child care providers can expect unscheduled visits from Chisago County as part of their license requirements. Staff understand concerns and do not expect activities with children to stop because of the visit. Staff recognizes that caring for children is the provider's primary responsibility. The purpose of the visit is to monitor the success of licensed family child care.

7. How long does the licensing process take?

After the application is received with the fee payment,, an individual can be licensed as quickly as within one (1) month of licensing receiving the application and it can take as long as three (3) months. There are many factors that affect the licensing process timelines.

8. How many children can I care for at one time?

Most providers start out with the ability to care for ten (10) total children at one time.

Of those ten (10) children, there can be a maximum of six (6) children under school age. Of those six (6) children, there can be a combination of three (3) infants and toddlers with no more than two (2) infants at one time.