Contact Us:

18 North Norwood

Tulsa, OK  74115

918.834.2273

918.834.9339 (fax)

Office Hours:

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday till 8:00 pm

Saturdays

9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

E-mail:  Info@ccrctulsa.org

CCRC is a program of the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa

A funded program of the Tulsa Area United Way

And the Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral Association

SEVEN COMMON QUESTIONS

ABOUT STARTING YOUR OWN

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME

1)  Do I need to have my Family Child Care Home licensed?

Yes!  In Oklahoma a Family Child Care Home needs to be licensed by the

Department of Human Services (DHS). The following definition of a Family

Child Care Home is taken from the Licensing Requirements published by the

State Department of Human Services: a "Family Child Care Home" is a

licensed or approved family home which provides care and protection for

seven or fewer children for part of a 24-hour day. The term "child care

home" shall not include informal arrangements, which parents make

independently with neighbors, friends, and others, or caretakers in the

child's own home.

2)  How do I go about getting a license?

Please check our "Who to Call" link on this website for phone numbers for

DHS Licensing in each county.

3)  What health requirements do I have to meet?

Upon initial application, the caregiver and any other adults living in the

home shall provide documentation of a tuberculin (TB) skin test or a chest

X-ray. The caregiver's children and all children living in the home shall have

or be in the process of obtaining immunizations at the medically appropriate

time. 

4)  Do I need a criminal background check?

Yes, caregivers shall provide documentation of criminal history

investigations conducted through the Oklahoma State Bureau of

Investigation for all persons over 18 year of age living or working in the

home. In addition, criminal history investigations are required for

each substitute and assistant caregiver, prior to caring for children. The

application can be obtained from DHS Licensing.

5)  What special equipment will I need?

A place to rest for each child.  Each child shall have an appropriately-sized, individual place to rest such as a bed, cot, sofa or mat with clean in individual bedding. A crib, port-a-crib or playpen is used for each child  under one year of age.  DHS recommends that highchairs be available for infants and toddlers for eating.  Smoke detectors are required for any room where children are in care. A portable fire extinguisher is required for the kitchen. In most instances, a fenced back yard is required. Other equipment may also be required and other restrictions may apply.  Be sure to read the requirements set forth in the Licensing Requirements for Family Child Care Homes very carefully.

6)  Can I keep my pets?

Yes. Pets are permitted if there is proof of rabies and other current vaccinations for each animal; and all potential patrons are informed of the presence of animals.  Some reptiles are not permitted, and some pets such as ferrets or turtles must be kept in areas that are inaccessible to children.

7)  Do I need to be zoned as a business?

It depends on where you live.  The City of Tulsa requires that you obtain a

Zoning Clearance Permit for a family child care home.  In order to obtain

your permit, you will need to bring with you a copy of your application for a

license, or your permit or actual license, and a description of your

property.  Check our "Who to Call" list for more information on zoning

permits.

PLEASE REFER TO THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES FOR ALL LICENSING RULES AND REGULATIONS.

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Last modified: May 04, 2008