What license are needed to open a daycare

Tennessee Code Annotated Program and Facilities Exempt from Licensing Requirements. If you are providing care and supervision to five 5 or more unrelated children for three 3 or more hours per day without a license and you do not meet the criteria for license-exempt status, then you are operating illegally. Operating a child care agency without the required license is a Class A misdemeanor criminal offense.

Daycare facilities need lots of room for children to roam free and explore without hazards. Measurements may vary state to state, but a specific number of square feet is needed per child.

These measurements are required for both indoors and outdoors. Other necessary amenities are mandatory such as good lighting, ventilation and plumbing, fenced play area, eating and food preparation areas and heating and air conditioning. Daycares usually have at least one toilet and sink for every 15 children.

Separate toilets are required for staff. You may also have to obtain a lead test inspection report. However, everything really boils down to what your state requires. Overcrowded daycare classrooms are considered unsafe and hamper the education process.

You can look up your specific state and easily find what is required for you, in terms of licensing, to open a daycare. Many daycare center workers do a lot of food handling. Because of this, sometimes a food handler certification will be required. The certification will include a course for you and any of your employees to complete and a fee to pay for everything involved with the certification process.

This requirement is determined based on what other licenses are held by the daycare professionals, and whether or not food is actually prepared on-site. Most states do require that daycare professionals all hold first aid and CPR certifications.

Anyone who is responsible for the care of children should be certified to deliver first aid or CPR in emergent situations that could arise. There are different ways to go about getting your certifications for these. There are classes you can take through the American Red Cross that will help you and your staff get prepared to open your daycare.

There are other online entities offering this type of training too. In most states, any small business will be required to obtain a general business license. The Group Family Child Care License could be needed if you are planning to open a daycare that cares for a greater number of children.

The purpose of the program is to promote the health, safety and welfare of children in licensed child care. The Department ensures that licensing requirements are met through ongoing inspections of child care facilities. Under Wisconsin law, no person may provide care and supervision for four 4 or more children under the age of 7 for less than 24 hours a day unless that person obtains a license to operate a child care center from the Department.

Note: Child care regulation is based on location and the number of children, not the number of caregivers.