Child Care Center (Licensed or Exempt)
Child care centers are usually located in spaces adapted for child care purposes. These include stand-alone centers and those located in businesses, apartment complexes, universities, schools, hospitals, churches, etc. Pre Kindergarten programs (both school-based and non school-based), Head Start programs, on-site employee child care and faith based child care are some of the examples of the many types of child care centers that are available.
State Adult to Child Ratios
- Birth - 12 months (1:4)
- 12-24 months (1:6)
- 2-year-olds (1:11)
- 3-year-olds (1:15)
- 4/5-year-olds (1:20)
- School-age children (1:25)
Licensed Centers
Must pass an initial inspection to ensure that all standards have been met, and must:
- Meet physical facility requirements
- Follow health, safety and nutrition guidelines
- Maintain enrollment and attendance records
- Allow parents access to their children in care at all times
- Comply with three routine inspections per year
- Receive 40 hours of training initially - 8 hours annually
- Submit screening and background checks of all employees/caregivers
- Keep current immunization records of children on file.
Religious Exempt Centers
Are not government inspected, must be an integral part of a church or parochial school, and must:
- Be accredited by a state recognized accrediting body
- Pass federal background check
- Meet city/county health and safety regulations
- Maintain enrollment and attendance records
- Comply with licensing standards of local and state governments
- Maintain current certification of CPR and first aid
- Pass an initial inspection prior to receiving a license
- Comply with two routine inspections per year.
Note: Some counties may have more restrictive requirements than those required by the state.