A City of Chicago Children Services license is required for Day Cares and Children’s Play Centers.

A Day Care is any place where three or more children that are six years of age or younger and not siblings are apart from their parent or guardian and cared for during the day. Day Cares must obtain a City of Chicago business license in addition to a State license issued by the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

A Children’s Play Center is a place where the primary business activity is to provide recreational activities to children under 17 years of age who are apart from their parent or guardian, with certain exceptions. 

A food license is required for Children’s Play Centers to prepare or serve food. Day Cares may prepare and serve food without a Food license after passing inspection by the Chicago Department of Health.

1. A debt check will be conducted as part of the application process. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
2. A fingerprint-based background check will be conducted for all controlling persons and site managers as part of the application process.
3. An inspection of the premises will be conducted by the Department of Buildings to verify exit, stairway, enclosure, and other requirements. (for Day Cares only, the inspection includes verification of electrical, plumbing, and ventilation requirements).
4. An inspection of the premises will be conducted by the Fire Department
5. A minimum number of drop-off spaces, off-street parking spaces, and bike racks will be determined as part of the zoning review process.
6. Day Care only: An inspection of the premises will be conducted by the Chicago Department of Public Health inspection (Food Protection and Health Surveillance)
7. Day Care only: Must be licensed by the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). State licensure is required by law for such facilities.

1. Documents required to identify the business depend on the business legal entity type. For more information, see the Required Documents page.
2. Certificate of Insurance (limits of not less than $300,000)
3. Financial Disclosure Form
4. Individual History Form for all controlling persons and site managers required to be fingerprinted
5. Detailed site plan of the entire premises and a detailed/ labeled floor plan of the interior
6. Architectural drawings stamped and approved by the Department of Buildings
7. Parking Determination Letter (applicant will be notified if this is required as part of the zoning review process)
8. Lease/ Proof of Ownership
9. Manager Statement

1. Submit initial business information in person or online
2. Receive zoning approval from the City. Day Care applicants will be instructed to obtain a Parking Determination Letter from the Department of Planning and Development that indicates the number of required off-street parking spaces, drop-off spaces, and other vehicle related zoning requirements that must be reflected on the site plan submitted by the applicant.
3. Complete and submit a full license application
4. Get fingerprinted for a fingerprint-based background check. Every owner, corporate officer, any person who has a 25% or more interest in the business, and site managers will be prompted to get fingerprinted.
5. Make payment for the license
6. Undergo a City debt check. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
7. Undergo inspections from the Department of Buildings, Fire Department, and Chicago Department of Public Health, as required.
8. Receive license once all requirements are met

For more information on license application steps, see the Business License Application Steps webpage.

$165 license fee

$40 processing fee per controlling person and manager required to be fingerprinted

How to Apply 

In person: Visit the Small Business Center Visit Us webpage for wait times, location, and hours of operation.

Online: Visit the online business license application system.

 

Operating Requirements