What: A free web-based information session offered about the application process and requirements for licensed child care centers.
The session is offered quarterly. Participation is not a requirement of the licensing process for child care centers. This session is intended to support applicants, provide guidance, and offer resources related to applying for a child care center license. Participants may be more engaged if they use the supplemental handout and resource guide provided.
The license application process will be discussed, including steps necessary to complete the application and required supplemental documents. Topics include: interaction of other agencies for required facility inspections, background studies, engaging a health consultant, understanding equipment and supply requirements, guidelines for developing policies and procedures, and required records. What to expect during the pre-licensing visit and key considerations for the first year of operating will also be discussed.
The introduction presents an overview of Phase I of the application process, completing and submitting the application to DHS. Topics include an overview of the application process for a child care center license and walking through the requirements for the supplemental required documents that must be submitted with the application.
Next, an overview of Phase II of the application process, which begins after the application has been submitted to DHS for review, will be discussed. During this phase, the application is assigned a licensor. DHS Licensing and applicants work on several tasks simultaneously. Topics include the interaction of other agencies for required facility inspections, background studies, engaging a health consultant, understanding equipment and supply requirements for a child care center, and an overview of required administrative records.
The final section of the session presents an overview of when an applicant is ready to have a pre-licensing visit scheduled and what an applicant might expect to see and do during this visit from the assigned DHS licensor. The pre-licensing visit verifies that the applicant is compliant with all applicable Minnesota Rules and Statutes required to be granted a license. Key considerations for the first year of operating when a license is granted are also introduced. Topics include preparing the facility for the pre-licensing visit, having administrative records ready for review, ensuring staffing requirements are met, and need-to-know. A collection of resources will be shared that may support new license holders.
Date and time: 05/15/2025, 9:00am-12:00pm
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Presented by: Department of Human Services: Child Care Center Licensing Unit Training Team
Contact the DHS Child Care Center Training Team: If you have questions about the training, please direct them to dhs.ccclictraining@state.mn.us.
Professional development
Develop learning record
The information session is Develop-approved for 3 hours of training in the Knowledge and Competency Framework Content Area: VI: Professionalism. If you have a Develop account and want to have this training appear on your Learning Record:
- Include your Develop ID number when you register; and
- Attend the entire training event.
If both of these conditions are met, credit for attending the training will be logged on your Learning Record within 3 days after the training ends. For trainings with large numbers of attendees, it may take longer to see this training on your Learning Record. If you do not have a Develop account and want to learn more, visit the Develop webpage. To sign up for an Individual Develop account, go the registration link on Develop’s homepage. Develop also has a help desk available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Develop Help Desk is reachable by email and phone: 1 (844) 605-6938.
Licensing in-service record
Licensing does not issue attendance certificates for trainings. However, participating in a training held by the Child Care Licensing Team does count toward an individual's in-service training requirement.