Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Newark, DE

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Delaware — No Sales Tax

   Delaware has no state or local sales tax. Instead, Delaware levies a Gross Receipts Tax on the seller of goods or provider of services, based on total receipts. Register with the Delaware Division of Revenue.

   Official government source

   Free (gross receipts tax registration)·Immediate (online)

   Free (gross receipts tax registration)

   Immediate (online)

2. Delaware Background Check Requirement (child care)

   All staff, volunteers, and — for family child care homes — household members aged 18 and over must complete Delaware State Police and FBI criminal history checks plus a Child Protection Registry check before working in a licensed child care facility. Checks are scheduled through the State Bureau of Identification / IdentoGO using the service code supplied by the Office of Child Care Licensing, now under the Department of Education's Office of Early Learning.

   Official government source

   $85 per person for the combined certified Delaware and federal (FBI) criminal history; $72 for a Delaware-only check·1–4 weeks

   $85 per person for the combined certified Delaware and federal (FBI) criminal history; $72 for a Delaware-only check

   1–4 weeks

1. Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing — Child Care Center License

   Child care centers in Delaware must be licensed by the Office of Child Care Licensing, now administered under the Department of Education's Office of Early Learning (the former kids.delaware.gov page redirects there). Licensure requires criminal background and child-abuse registry checks, health and fire safety inspections, and compliance with staff-to-child ratios. Licenses are issued for one year.

   Official government source

   No state licensing fee (Delaware Business First Steps lists the child care license fee as None); background checks, inspections, and facility upgrades are separate costs·6–12 weeks

   No state licensing fee (Delaware Business First Steps lists the child care license fee as None); background checks, inspections, and facility upgrades are separate costs

   6–12 weeks

2. City of Newark Code Enforcement Division — Business License

   Newark requires a Business License, administered by the Planning Department's Code Enforcement Division (not the City Clerk), for businesses operating within city limits. Fees are set per Newark Code Chapter 13, Article VII §13-43 et seq. based on estimated demand/cost of municipal services and vary by business type; contact Code Enforcement (302-366-7000) for the applicable fee. License must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   Varies by business type and estimated municipal service cost; not a published flat fee — confirm with Code Enforcement·1–3 weeks

   Varies by business type and estimated municipal service cost; not a published flat fee — confirm with Code Enforcement

   1–3 weeks

3. City of Newark Building and Fire Safety Inspection

   A child care centre in Newark must pass building inspections and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Newark's Code Enforcement Division before opening — New Castle County has no jurisdiction inside city limits. Newark's own Fire Protection and Fire Safety Division enforces the International Fire Code, NFPA and Delaware State Fire Prevention Codes, reviews fire alarm and sprinkler plans, and conducts the Annual Fire Safety Business Inspection tied to the City of Newark Fire License. Any fit-out work (egress, ADA accessibility, fire suppression, child-proofing) needs a building permit first. The centre itself is separately licensed by the Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, and Newark exempts day care centres and preschools from its business licence fee (Code § 13-59(a)).

   Official government source

   $150 commercial Certificate of Occupancy; building permit at $15.00 per $1,000 of construction value ($50.00 minimum) plus $1.00 per $1,000 plan review ($25 minimum) and a 15% technology fee; annual Fire Safety Registration $100.00, plus $25.00 per fire alarm system report and $25.00 per fire suppression system report — all per Newark's 2026 Fee Schedule (effective 1/1/2026)·Permits issued in roughly 1–5 business days; allow 2–6 weeks overall for plan review, construction, inspections and issuance of the certificate of occupancy

   $150 commercial Certificate of Occupancy; building permit at $15.00 per $1,000 of construction value ($50.00 minimum) plus $1.00 per $1,000 plan review ($25 minimum) and a 15% technology fee; annual Fire Safety Registration $100.00, plus $25.00 per fire alarm system report and $25.00 per fire suppression system report — all per Newark's 2026 Fee Schedule (effective 1/1/2026)

   Permits issued in roughly 1–5 business days; allow 2–6 weeks overall for plan review, construction, inspections and issuance of the certificate of occupancy

Official Sources

• Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing — Child Care Center License
• City of Newark City Clerk

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