We'll call this an in-home provider, since the caregiver runs their business directly out of her home. To become registered, a provider agrees to follow the minimum standards set forth by the state government. State laws and regulations typically permit between six and twelve children to be cared for at any one time by an in-home provider. Licensing is generally for commercial child care facilities which usually care for more than twelve children at a time. A licensed child care business also has to abide by a set of rules established by the state government.
Certification is usually just another term for licensing or registration.
Some states require a home child care business or a commercial facility to be registered with the state in order to operate legally. Other states do not mandate registration under certain circumstances, it may be optional. All in all, registration, licensing, or certification usually means that the provider has agreed to follow the mandates set forth by the state regarding child care. In addition, they have and will continue to allow the state to check on them. This may include physical checks of the business, background checks, etc.