Some military child care homes do not need Delaware licenses

Delaware does not require covered military family child care homes to hold a state child care license. This covers family child care homes and large family child care homes that serve only dependent children eligible for Defense Department subsidized care. The home must be on a military base or federal property, be certified by the Defense Department or Coast Guard as a family child care provider, or meet both conditions. This licensing rule took effect 60 days after the governor signed the law on July 23, 2025.

The Defense Department, Coast Guard, or their agents must decide which children an exempt provider serves. This applies to military family child care providers covered by the licensing exemption. An agent may include the commander of a military base where the provider is located. This responsibility took effect 60 days after the governor signed the law on July 23, 2025.