Parent Guidelines for Choosing a Child Day Care Program
The Child Day Care Licensing Program of the Community Based Regulation (CBR) Section is responsible for the licensing of child day care programs, and offers these tips on what to look for in a program for your child.
Inspections of Licensed Facilities/Providers and Access to Parents
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Child Day Care Centers and Group Day Care Homes - The Department of Public Health is mandated by state regulations to conduct inspections of licensed facilities at least every two years. These visits are generally unannounced and documented on an inspection report form (Sample Child Day Care Centers & Group Day Care Homes Inspection Form w/ Endorsement Form pdf). Facilities are required to post the most recent Department inspection report and make such reports available to parents upon request. Parents shall have access to the child day care center or group day care home during the hours of operation.
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Family Day Care Homes - The Department of Public Health is mandated by state statutes to conduct inspections of approximately one third of the licensed family day care homes each year. These visits are generally unannounced and documented on an inspection report form (Sample Family Day Care Home Inspection Form pdf). State regulations require that all licensed family day care home providers furnish each child's parent(s) with a copy of the last inspection report completed by the department upon request, daily information about their child, as well as other opportunities and information. Parents shall have immediate access to their child while the child is at the facility.
How To File A Complaint
State statutes indicate that any person having reasonable cause to believe that a family day care home, child day care center or group day care home is operating without a current and valid license or in violation of the regulations or in a manner which may pose a potential danger to the health, welfare and safety of a child receiving child day care services, may report such information to the department. Complaints may be filed by contacting the Child Day Care Licensing Program (contact info). A series of questions will be asked to gather information that will assist the department in conducting a thorough investigation.
Staffing at Family Day Care Homes
The Provider may have substitutes and assistants in the family day care home only after the intended staff member has been approved in writing by the department. To verify whether an individual has been approved to work as staff in a family day care home, the Child Day Care Licensing Program may be contacted. For contact information click here
