Licensed Child Care

The Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act (10 O.S., § 401-410), enacted in 1963, authorizes
DHS to administer the licensing program. This responsibility includes developing minimum
requirements for child care programs, revising existing requirements, and implementing policies
and procedures for the licensing program. The foundation of quality child care is a strong licensing
program.

A well-trained licensing staff and regular monitoring visits increase the likelihood of positive
outcomes in children’s physical, emotional and cognitive development.

Oklahoma has 3,728 licensed child care programs consisting of the following programs:

• Day Camps
• Drop-In Programs
• Child Care Centers
• Out of School Time Programs
• Part-Day Programs
• Programs for Sick Children

Find information about caring for children with special needs?

Are you interested in providing Child Care?

Licensed Exempt

Programs exempt from licensure include: care provided in a child's own home or by relatives, informal arrangements for the occasional care of children, programs in which children attend on a drop-in basis and parents are on the premises and readily accessible, single activity programs, and programs operating for 15 hours or less per week. 

For the full wording of license exempt please refer to the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act §10-403 Exemptions from Application of Act.

Child Care Serious Injuries and Death Report
Oklahoma licensing requirements have many detailed regulations intended to protect children from illness and harm; to safeguard the health and safety of children while in care. Child Care Licensing works in partnership with providers and parents to protect the safety and well-being of children while in out-of-home care.