SAL Child Care Connection Child Care Start-Up Grant
SAL Child Care Connection of Central Illinois (Illinois Department of Human Services)
Up to $500 (home) or $1,000 (center)
Up to $1,000 reimbursement for Illinois child care centers and $500 for home providers becoming DCFS-licensed.
The Illinois Child Care Start-Up Grant helps child care home and center providers offset start-up costs while becoming licensed with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Home providers can receive up to $500 and center providers up to $1,000 in reimbursement for eligible materials, equipment, and minor facility items. The FY26 cycle closed June 15, 2026; the FY27 application is expected for the July 1, 2026-June 30, 7 cycle but had not been released as of August 24, 2026.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $0 – $1,000
- Realistic amount
- $500 for home-based providers; $1,000 for center-based providers
- Deadline
- FY26 applications accepted through June 15, 2026; FY27 cycle anticipated July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027 but not yet released
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- IL
Who qualifies
- Child care home or center provider in the process of becoming licensed with Illinois DCFS
- Must have been visited by a Daycare Licensing Representative
- Must apply to serve children from birth to school-age
- May receive only one Child Care Start-Up Grant at the time of initial licensure
- Program is offered through participating Child Care Resource and Referral agencies; SAL Child Care Connection serves Central Illinois
Who is not eligible
- Providers not seeking DCFS licensure
- Providers who have not been visited by a Daycare Licensing Representative
- Providers who have already received a Child Care Start-Up Grant
- Programs serving only school-age children outside the birth-to-school-age range
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Child care furniture and equipment
- Outdoor play equipment and safety surfacing
- Technology for business management
- Minor construction materials required for licensing
- Health and safety supplies
- Educational materials and toys
Ineligible expenses
- Major construction, renovations, or labor/installation fees
- Religious-based curricula or materials
- Consumable supplies such as diapers, wipes, or food
- Office supplies not directly used for early childhood quality improvement
- Items purchased from private individuals
How to apply
-
1
Confirm FY27 application is open
Check the SAL grant opportunities page or contact SAL Child Care Connection for the current FY27 application materials.
~0.5 hrs
-
2
Attend information session
Participate in a SAL Child Care Connection information session before receiving reimbursement.
~1 hrs
-
3
Complete application and purchase eligible items
Fill out the application, attach receipts and supporting documents, and ensure all purchases are new and from retail/early-childhood suppliers.
~3 hrs
-
4
Submit for reimbursement
Mail or email the completed packet to SAL Child Care Connection and await reimbursement after verification.
~1 hrs
All items must be new and purchased from a retail store or early-childhood supplier—purchases from private individuals are ineligible, and funds cannot cover labor or installation.
Deadline & timing
The FY26 application closed June 15, 2026. The SAL grant opportunities page states 'Stay tuned for the new application for July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027' but the FY27 application had not been posted as of August 24, 2026.
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Required documents
- Completed Child Care Start-Up Grant application
- W-9 form
- Receipts and invoices for eligible purchases
- Signed Participation Agreement
- Documentation of DCFS licensure visit
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