Family child care is licensed under DHS Rule 2 (Licensing of Family Child Care Facilities). The rule addresses, among other requirements: licensing of homes for family child care and group family child care, licensing process, negative licensing actions, agency records, caregiver qualifications, licensed capacity, child/adult ratios, age distribution requirements, age distribution restrictions, reporting agency, day care training, behavior guidance, admissions, provider records, reporting, activities and equipment, physical environment, sanitation and health, water, food and nutrition.

Beginning July 1, 1999, unless you meet one of the following exclusions, you are required to be licensed.  A license is not required under the following
child care situations:

     ● Child Care is provided by a relative to only related children; and/or

     ● Child Care is provided to children from a single, unrelated family.

If you do not meet one of these exclusions OR if you are uncertain of your status, it is important that you contact your county child care licensing unit immediately.

Licensing Laws:

      ●  Must be licensed if providing care for more than one family at any time.

      ●  License issued for one year.

• Child care home will be re-licensed once every 24 four months, after the first year.
   

• Provider must be at least 18 years of age at the time of licensure.
   

• Family Child Care or Group Family Child Care is not transferable to another operator or site.

Licensing Procedure:

• Call and make initial contact with agency.  Review materials.
   

• Call agency to register to attend orientation if interested in licensure. Orientation is now eight hours.
   

• All forms must be returned to agency from applicant prior to submission to the Department of Human Services.
   

• Submit payment for licensing fee and background study fee.  The Agency accepts cash, money order and/or cashier check.
   

• Plan on 3 - 4 months before licensure is completed.
   

• The agency will make a licensure recommendation (grant, grant with variance, deny) after the application process is completed

Physical Examination:
Provider and other care givers having contact with the children should have a physical exam or should have had one within 12 months prior to application.

Training:
Family Child Care providers must complete 6-9 hours of approved Pediatric CPR and first aid training prior to licensure.  Providers are required to receive one hour Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Shaken Baby Syndrome and two hours of Early Childhood Development training prior to licensure.

A Shaken Baby Syndrome refresher is required annually and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome training is required every five years after. 

Providers are required to receive a Car Seat Restraint System training prior to licensure if they intend to transport children and every five years after.

A minimum of eight hours annual training is required to continue licensure.

Insurance:
Provider must have a certificate of insurance for the residence for general liability coverage, for bodily injury in amount of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence - (Daycare Insurance is available).  If not insured, provider must state so in writing and then keep a statement signed by the child care child’s parent(s) which indicated such.  This statement would not remove liability from the provider. 

Pets:
Pets in the house must be vaccinated.  Pets are limited to dogs, cats, fish, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice and birds.

• parents must be notified of pets prior to admission.

• rabies shot current for dogs and cats - tags worn.

• children handle animals only when supervised.

• pet cages located and cleaned away from food preparation area.
   

Physical Environment: 

·  35 square feet of usable floor space is required per child.
               -bathrooms and closets not counted
               -basements may be included but must meet requirements of the Fire Marshall.

    ·  Outdoor play area must be at least 50 square feet per child (park or playground may
 be considered).
- fence may be required to protect children from trains, traffic, water, or machinery.

    ·  Two means of escape from all rooms utilized by the children.  One must be a door to 
       floor  exit - the other a window leading directly outside.  Opening 5.7 square
       feet-dimension opening 20 inches wide (minimum) and 24 inches high (minimum).

    ·  Stairways of three of more steps must have handrails.
- opening between handrail and stair tread must be enclosed.
- gates or barriers must be used when children between 6 to 18 months are in care.

    ·  All doors must be operable from within or out of the room.

    ·  Adequate toilet facilities.

 Water - Food Nutrition:

    ·  Water from a privately owned well must be tested annually by a Minnesota Health Department certified laboratory.

    ·  Milk must be pasteurized.

    ·  Meals including snacks must include servings from basic food groups.  (Food Program available to licensed providers.)
 

Fire and Structural Hazards:

    ·  Stove and heater locations must not block escape in case of fire.

    ·  Unvented room heaters are not permitted.

    ·  Fireplaces, space heaters and wood burning stoves must be protected by guards.

    ·  A portable fire extinguisher with a 2 A 10 B.C. rating required, with placement in cooking area. 

    ·  Smoke detectors are needed on all levels where day care occurs.

    ·  All electrical receptacles accessible to children under first grade must be protected.
 

Emergencies:

    ·  Operable telephone must be located within the home.

    ·  Emergency phone numbers must be posted.

    ·  Operable battery flashlight and radio for use during storms and tornadoes.

    ·  Monthly fire and storm drills must be practiced and logged.  Emergency plan must be known by children.

    ·  Substitute caregiver must be available or provisions made.

    ·  First aid kit must be available and contain: bandages, sterile compresses, ipecac syrup, scissors, ice bag or cold pack, oral or surface thermometer, mild liquid soap and adhesive tape.  A first aid kit manual is also required.  All supplies should be portable.

    ·  Family Child Care Admission and Arrangements.

    ·  Permission to Administer Over-the-Counter Medications Form.

    ·  Day Care Immunization Record.

    ·  Permission to Leave Premises Form.

    ·  Provider Policy.

    ·  Family and Group Family Child Care Rule Summary for Parent.

Child/Adult Ratio and Age Restrictions 
A guide for provider for license classes; Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0315 to 9545.0445.

Child Care Activity Plan 
Clarification by provider as to the activities they intend to promote in their program.

Child Care Curriculum Materials
Suggested programs for day care providers curriculum.

Child Care Immunization Record
Used to keep a current list of child's immunizations.

Child Care Program Reporting Notification
Policies and procedures provided to parents at time of enrollment regarding child abuse and neglect reporting.

Consent for Release of Information
Use to obtain a background check on provider, any other person living in the household who is age 13 or older, and alternative care providers.

Daycare Licensing Information
This form explains the process of the application for a daycare license.

Daycare Providers Family File
List of family file form requirements.

Daycare Report Form
Rule 9502.0300 to 9502.0445 identifies provider’s responsibilities to report changes in their day care placements to the agency.

Daycare Termination Form
Rule 9502.0300 to 9502.0445 identifies provider’s responsibilities to report changes in their day care placements to the agency.

Drug and Alcohol Policy / Provider Grievance Policy
This policy should be completed by the license holder, signed by license holder and all backup providers, copy sent to licensing worker and original kept in license holders' file.

Enrollment Form
Use to submit monthly enrollment changes to licensing.

Equipment List
Toys and equipment list for providers.

Family Child Care Licensing Checklist (DHS-4618-ENG 5-08)
Completed for initial and all re-licensing’s and used to check safety of child care home.

Family Day Care Admission and Arrangements (DHS-1715-ENG 4-08)
Parental permission to enroll child in providers child care.

Family Systems Application
State application for child care license used at initial licensing and all relicensings.

Fire Drills
Use this form to document monthly fire and storm drills.

Fire Escape Plan
Procedures for the provider as to a fire in the dwelling.

Fire Extinguishers
A guide for requirements and services of Fire Extinguishers.

Fire Extinguishers
Fire Extinguisher Correction/Inspection Verification to be completed by Fire Inspector.

Fire Inspection Guidelines
A checklist for the licensor and applicant regarding the residence.

Floor and Escape Plan
Square footage plan of the dwelling and identified rooms in the dwelling.

Home Use Agreement
Agreement signed by provider acknowledging intended use of dwelling.

Incident Report For Day Care Provider
This must be completed immediately following any incident, injury, or hospitalization of a day care child.

Initial Licensing Evaluation
Any family member residing in the home of the provider or who intends to work more than 30 days in a 12 month period shall complete this document.

Indoor Square Footage Worksheet
Calculation form used to determine square footage in the dwelling.

Licensing Update Statement
Documented changes in the household by provider/applicant.

Marketing Ideas
A guide to marketing your business.

Monthly Crib Safety Inspection (DHS-4927-ENG 1-07)
Monthly and annual documentation log to be used when checking safety of all cribs. Included is the recall status search on the back of the form.

Notice of Privacy Practices (DHS-3979-ENG 9/07)
Notification of rights regarding public and private data.

Parent Consent for Trampoline Use
Consent by parent form for use of trampoline.

Parent Notification Statement

Permission to Administer
Parental permission to administer over-the-counter medication/products (one form per child).

Permission to Administer Prescription Medication
Parental permission allowing provider to administer prescription medications.

Physicians Report (DHS-1995(3/91)
Completed by physician for initial licensing application.

Provider’s Agreement
Reviewed and signed by provider for agency file.

Reporting to Agency
Rule 2, 9502.0375, standards and situations which mandate time specific reporting to agency.

Requirements for daycare persons
Definitions of Helper, Substitute, Adult Caregiver, and Co- Applicants.