A daycare license in Indiana is issued by Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 9 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →Indiana childcare licensing is administered by the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning within the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). Facilities providing care for 7 or more children must be licensed. Indiana has one of the most detailed age-based ratio structures in the country, with specific ratios for each 6-month interval in the first 3 years.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (6 weeks–12 months) | 1:4 | 8 |
| 12–17 months | 1:5 | 12 |
| 18–23 months | 1:6 | 14 |
| 24–29 months | 1:8 | 16 |
| 30–35 months | 1:9 | 17 |
| 3 years | 1:11 | 25 |
| 4 years | 1:13 | 29 |
| 5 years | 1:17 | 31 |
| School age (6+ years) | 1:20 | 40 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning's rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder
Enrollment Form
State-approved enrollment form with emergency contacts and authorized pickup authorization.
Physical Exam Report
Physician-completed physical exam report within 12 months of enrollment.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records kept on file and updated as new vaccines are received.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Indiana Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff prior to working with children.
Lead Teacher Education
High school diploma or GED plus Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant college credits in ECE.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Universal orientation training required before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Safe sleep training required annually for all infant care workers.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by FSSA. Contact the licensing office for current standards.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually. Additional inspections based on complaints or compliance history.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact FSSA to begin the application process. Includes background checks, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact FSSA for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the Great Lakes.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.