Benefit, Employment & Support Services

Applying for a Family Child Care Home Registration

• Applicants should read and review the Hawaii Administrative Rules, Chapter 891.1 Rules Governing Registration of Family Child Care Homes and Amendments.
• Applicants must check with their landlords (if renting), town associations (if applicable) and insurance companies to first inquire if they would be able to conduct child care in their home.
• Applicants must be in compliance with the zoning and building codes of their county (i.e. cannot have more than one complete kitchen, number of renters, etc.).
• Applicants must complete the following:
  • A signed department application form (DHS 982 Application for Certificate of Approval for Family Child Care (FCC) and DHS 983 Supplement to FCC Application).
  • Evidence of a satisfactory physical examination and TB clearance for all household members (DHS 984 Medical Report for adults  and DOE Form 14  for children or comparable documentation of a child’s immunizations, evidence of physical exam results, and TB clearance.  The DHS 908 Early Childhood Pre-K Health Record Supplement form for children is not required but highly recommended for entry into an FCC);
  • Two letters of reference;
  • Completed employment history clearance forms (DHS 959 Employment History Form and DHS 959A Self-Certification of Employment).
  • Child abuse/neglect history check and criminal history check DHS-948 Authorization for Background Check and to Release Information  (fillable)
• Upon receipt of the completed application documents indicated above and satisfactory results from the criminal history and child abuse/neglect clearances, a Child Care Licensing Worker will conduct a home visit to inspect the entire home as well as to review the registration rules with the applicant.
• Any deficiencies cited during the application and licensing process must be corrected prior to issuance of a certificate of registration.
• Once it is determined that the applicant is in full compliance with all of the registration rules, the Child Care Licensing Unit will issue a certificate of registration to operate a Family Child Care Home.
• Once registered, any significant changes that occur in the Family Child Care Home must be reported to the Child Care Licensing Worker (DHS 974 Notification of Change(s) Form).
• Please feel free to contact a Child Care Licensing Unit in your area if you have any questions regarding the application and licensing process. (Click here to see the Statewide Child Care Licensing Units).