How To Hire an Assistant for Your Family Childcare — Rules and Regulations for All 50 States

If your family childcare business is receiving more child inquiries and applications than your ratio can handle, it may be time to consider bringing on an assistant. Hiring a helper can also give you the ability to take lunch and restroom breaks, tackle more hands-on projects with the kids, and go on field trips that you couldn’t quite conquer on your own. In some states, it’s even a requirement from the very beginning of your childcare.

Although having an assistant probably sounds like an optimal scenario, you may be left wondering, “Where do I begin?” That’s why we’ve put together this thorough list of family childcare assistant hiring requirements for all 50 states. 

Common requirements include a minimum age, education level, and experience level. Most states require background checks and some ask for medical records. Training is also a common theme. Some states may seem tedious, but it’s important to remember that every guideline set is a protection for young children.

It’s also helpful to remember that the more qualifications your staff has, the more they can do for you. For example, many states have minimum age requirements for working alone with children. This means that if you hire an 18-year-old instead of a 16-year-old, depending on your location, they would be able to cover your lunch break or even sub for you when you’re not feeling well.

Scroll down to your state for a quick glimpse into your local regulations, and then contact your licensing agency to move forward.

In-Home Childcare Assistant Requirements in All 50 States

Alabama

‍In Alabama, assistant caregivers must meet the same age and educational requirements as the daycare owner. They must be 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete 12 hours of child development training in highly detailed areas within 30 days of employment.

The assistant caregiver must also receive a medical exam that proves they are in good physical and mental health and free of infectious diseases. This exam must produce negative tuberculosis results or a chest x-ray. 

Last but not least, Alabama assistant caregivers must be background checked with a test that includes fingerprinting and a multi-state sex offender registry search.

Proof of these standards must be sent to the Licensing committee for approval and kept in an accessible location in your home.

Workers' compensation is not required.

Alaska

Alaska only requires licensing for in-home daycares that provide care to 4 or more unrelated children, or who want to take advantage of county or state programs. 

In licensed family childcares, assistants should be 18 or older and background checked. 14-17-year-olds can help as well, but they need to complete a childcare training course before they begin. Assistants under 16 years old do not need to be background checked.

Workers' compensation is required.

Arizona

Arizona does not appear to have specific requirements for in-home childcare assistants.

Minimum wage is $13.85.

Workers' compensation is required.

Arkansas

Assistants in licensed Arkansas family childcares are called secondary caregivers. These individuals must be 18 or older and hold a high school diploma or GED. They must complete the same required orientation as primary caregivers, as well as 15 hours of annual continuing education. 

Workers' compensation is only required if you have three or more employees.

California

California assistant caregivers must be at least 14 years old. If over 18, background checks are required.

Workers' compensation is required.

Colorado

In Colorado, aides must be at least 16 years old. If over 18, fingerprint-based background checks are required. Under 18, a state-based check for abuse and neglect charges is required. Aides must also be supervised at all times while caring for children.

Workers' compensation is required.

Connecticut

Assistants must be at least 18 years old, pass a medical clearance with a tuberculosis check, and provide 3 written references. Background checks are required. An application containing all of this information, and answers to basic questions, must be approved by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood before employment begins and every 2 years after.

Workers' compensation is required for employees who work more than 26 hours per week.

Delaware

Assistants in Delaware are typically only required for businesses that are labeled as Large Family Childcare Providers. In these cases, assistants must be at least 18 years old and background checked. They must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, and have at least 6 months of professional experience with young children. They must complete one of the following:

• 60 approved training hours
• 3 post-secondary credits in child development
• Qualification as an assistant teacher as stated in DELACLARE

Aides in Delaware must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma. They cannot be left unsupervised with children.

Workers' compensation is required.

Florida

‍Florida assistants are again only required for Large Family Childcares. Assistants must be 18 years old, pass a level 2 background check, and be trained in Pediatric First Aid and CPR. They must complete the same continuing education requirements as lead providers.

Workers' compensation is not required for childcares with fewer than 4 workers.

Georgia

‍Georgia family childcare assistants must be at least 16 years old. If they are 17 or older, they must be background-checked. They must attend an initial orientation, be CPR certified, and complete the same continuing education hours as main providers. They must also provide a statement of adequate physical and mental health from a medical professional.

Workers' compensation is not required for childcares with fewer than 3 workers.

Hawaii

Hawaii assistants must be at least 18, background checked, and provide two written references from non-relatives.

Workers' compensation is required.

Idaho

Licensing is not required in Idaho unless you are caring for 7 or more children, but when childcares are licensed, all employees must be listed in the application and background checked.

Minimum wage is $7.25.

Workers' compensation is required.

Illinois

Assistants need to be at least 14 years old, as well as 5 years older than the oldest child in your care. They must pass a medical exam and a tuberculosis test. 

Minimum wage is $13.00.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Indiana

‍Indiana family childcare assistants must be at least 14 years old. To be left unsupervised with children, they must be 18 or enrolled in a child development course. Everyone needs to be background checked.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Iowa

‍ If your family childcare in Iowa is registered, assistants must be at least 14 years old and supervised at all times when working with children. They need to have a background check and medical exam that displays good physical and mental health. They also need to complete child abuse prevention training within 3 months of hire.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Kansas

‍In Kansas, all in-home childcare assistants must be background checked.

Workers’ compensation is required unless your overall payroll is under $20,000 annually.

Kentucky

Kentucky childcare assistants in registered homes must be at least 18 years old and background-checked.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Louisiana

Louisiana daycare assistants must be 18 years or older and pass a background check.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Maine

‍Maine in-home childcare assistants must be at least 16 years old. If they are over 18, they need to be background checked. If they are under 18, they need to be supervised at all times. All staff must complete child abuse prevention training with documentation kept on site.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Maryland

Maryland bases requirements for assistants and aides on the ages of children being served. All adult employees need to be background checked.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Massachusetts

‍Massachusetts has two types of family childcare assistants — regular and certified. Regular assistants need to be 18 years or older, background-checked, be supervised with children, and complete state-provided online ECE training.

Certified assistants must be at least 18, be a parent or have cared for children for at least 1 year, pass a medical exam, and be trained in CPR and first aid. They must complete the same state-based online training as regular assistants.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Michigan

Michigan offers two positions as well — assistants and staff members. Assistants are between 14 and 17 years old. They must have a clean background check and complete the following pieces of training after they are hired: first aid, CPR, and infectious disease. They must be supervised at all times and may not serve as a substitute.

Childcare staff members are at least 18 years old. They must be background-checked and trained in first aid, CPR, and infectious diseases before beginning work. They may be left unsupervised and may substitute occasionally for the main provider.

Workers’ compensation is not required unless you have three or more employees.

Minnesota

‍All family childcare assistants must be background checked and over 18 years old. They must complete state-mandated training upon hire. Helpers can also be used, which are children aged 13-17. Helpers must be background checked and trained on SUID, AHT, and C.A.R.S. They cannot be left unsupervised.

Workers' compensation is required.

Mississippi

Mississippi does not license family childcares and therefore does not have requirements for hiring assistants.

Workers’ compensation is not required.

Missouri

‍Missouri family childcare assistants are only required to be background checked.

Workers’ compensation is not required.

Montana

‍Montana daycare assistants must be 18 and background-checked with fingerprints. They must be current on TDAP and MMR booster vaccinations. They must be trained in first aid, pediatric CPR, and infant safety essentials. They must also register with the Montana Early Childhood Project Practitioner Registry.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Nebraska  

‍Assistants to family childcares in Nebraska must be at least 16 years old with a clean background check.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Nevada

‍Nevada family childcare assistants must be 18 years old and background-checked. They must have a TB test before beginning employment. They must also complete the following pieces of training within 3 months of hire: CPR, first aid, recognizing and reporting abuse and neglect, child development, SIDS, and bloodborne pathogens.

Workers’ compensation is required.

New Hampshire

‍New Hampshire has three levels of family childcare workers: Helpers (at least 14 years old, always supervised, and not counted in ratios), Assistants (at least 16, always supervised, can be counted in ratios), and workers (18, can substitute for the main provider). They must complete annual, state-based child development training.

Workers’ compensation is required.

‍New Jersey

‍Assistants in New Jersey must be at least 14 years old. They must also submit a background check and medical exam with a tuberculosis test. If they are under 16, they must be supervised at all times and not work hours that take away from their schooling.

Workers’ compensation is required.

New Mexico

Background checks with fingerprinting seem to be the only written rule for New Mexico family childcare assistants.

Workers’ compensation is required.

New York

‍In New York family childcares, assistants must be 18 years old and fingerprinted. They must complete training hours as dictated by state licensing. They must have at least 2 years of experience working with children, submit a medical exam, and receive written permission from the state before beginning to work.

Workers’ compensation is required.

North Carolina

‍North Carolina assistants follow the same requirements as providers, outside of age. They may be as young as 16 years old. They must be supervised if they are under 21.

Workers’ compensation is required if you have three or more employees.

North Dakota

‍North Dakota family childcare assistants must be at least 14 years old. If they live in the household, they can be as young as 12 years old. After being hired, they need to complete training in first aid, defibrillator use, and SIDS. They must also take an approved basic childcare course within the first 3 months of employment.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Ohio

‍Ohio family childcare assistants must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and provide a medical record with an up-to-date Tdap booster.

Workers’ compensation is only required if you have three or more employees.

Oklahoma

‍Oklahoma assistants in licensed childcare homes must be at least 16 years old, but cannot be left unsupervised if under 18. They need to be background checked and provide medical records that show a tuberculosis test and current vaccinations. They must also be certified in both first aid and CPR.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Oregon

‍Oregon certified family daycares have two levels of assistants. Aide I staff must be at least 15 and CPR and first aid certified within 90 days of employment. They must complete 2 hours of child abuse prevention training and an approved health and safety training within the first month of employment. If working with infants, they must also complete a safe sleep training within 30 days of hire.

Aid II staff must meet the qualifications above and be at least 18 years and meet the above qualifications, as well as specific experience hours determined by the licensing department.

Registered family childcares do not seem to have assistant regulations outside of background checks.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania in-home childcare assistants must be at least 18 years old. If they are 16 or 17 and enrolled in acceptable childcare training courses, there are exceptions. They must be trained in CPR, first aid, SIDS, medication administration, food allergy response, shaken baby syndrome, and general safety. They must also submit a medical record with proof of a tuberculosis test and overall adequate health.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Rhode Island

‍In Rhode Island, assistants are required on an at-least emergency basis. These individuals must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. They must be trained in CPR and first aid for pediatrics. They must also have a background check, a medical check and immunization release, and at least 16 hours of professional development in the childcare field.

Workers’ compensation is required.

South Carolina

‍Assistants must be 18, hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, be background-checked, and submit a medical exam with a tuberculosis test before beginning work.

Workers’ compensation is required.

South Dakota

‍Family childcare helpers in South Dakota must be at least 14 years old. They cannot be left unsupervised with children until they are 18 years old. They must be background-checked and provide three written references.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Tennessee

‍Tennessee does not seem to have written requirements for daycare staff until the size of the business reaches the childcare center marker.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Texas

Assistants in Texas licensed home childcares must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in high school. To work with children unsupervised, they must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. They must be background checked and provide a negative TB test.

Workers’ compensation is never required.

Utah

‍Utah daycare assistants need to be at least 16 years old, and at least 18 to be left unsupervised with children. They must be background checked and complete 2.5 hours of training before they begin work. Continuing education hours are required as well.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Vermont

‍Vermont family childcare assistants and aides must be 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. They must be in good health and provide a clean background report. 

Workers’ compensation is required.

Virginia

‍Virginia assistants can be as young as 14, but they must be at least 18 to be left unsupervised. All assistants need child abuse checks, though only those over 18 need full background checks. Everyone needs a negative TB test before beginning employment.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Washington

‍Washington assistants to family childcares must be at least 14 years old, provide a negative tuberculosis test, and have a clean background report.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Washington DC

Family home assistants can be as young as 14, but must be 18 before being left unsupervised with children. All assistants must pass a background check and TB test before beginning employment. They must have a high school diploma or be currently enrolled in high school.

Workers’ compensation is required.

West Virginia

‍West Virginia family childcare assistants must be at least 18 years old. They must pass a background check with fingerprinting and provide a medical physical and TB test before beginning work. Two references are also required.

Workers’ compensation is only required if you have three or more workers.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin assistants are labeled as additional providers and must meet all provider criteria within their first 240 hours of work. These include being at least 18, having a clean background report, taking 3 post-secondary credits in child development, and taking a state-approved course in childcare business administration.

Workers’ compensation is only required if you have three or more workers.

Wyoming

‍Wyoming assistants must provide a clean, fingerprinted background check and a tuberculosis risk assessment. This includes a TB test if warranted. Assistants must also meet all of the same training requirements as directors, including first aid, CPR, SUIDS, medication administration, food allergy response, and more.

Workers’ compensation is required.

Advice for Hiring Your First Assistant

Even though there are licensing requirements to consider, hiring an assistant for your family childcare doesn’t have to be difficult. Start with the information listed above and contact your local licensing agency for more details.

If you’re looking for help with hiring an assistant or with your childcare business in general, Wonderschool is here to help. Our highly-skilled team provides help with opening and running childcare businesses, from curriculum development to financial planning and everything in between. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help your childcare make a greater impact in your community today.

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Disclaimer: Please remember that this information is meant to be used as a guide. Rules and regulations change over time, and your specific situations may lead to different results. It’s always best to check with your licensing agency directly before officially hiring an employee for your in-home childcare business.

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