Click Child Care Provider Portal for an overview or use step 2 for application or renewal information.
These are businesses that typically care for dozens of children.
- Centers are required to follow a long list of requirements and they receive at least one unannounced monitoring visit annually from DHS consultants.
- Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years.
- Licensed Centers must meet requirements in the following areas (but are not limited to):
- Adequate floor plan and fire marshal’s report
- Policies for fees, enrollment, field trips, discipline, nutrition, and health and safety policies
- Developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Parental participation
- Personnel
- Professional growth and development
- Staff ratio requirements
- Records
- Health and safety policies
- Physical facilities
- Activity program requirements
- Extended evening care (if applicable)
- Get well center (if applicable)
- Food services
More details about center regulatory requirements and the regulation checklist can be found in the Child Care Centers and Preschools Licensing Standards and Procedures document.
A licensed child care center may also apply for a Child Care Assistance Provider Agreement with DHS. This allows these programs to care for children that qualify for public assistance with child care costs.