Certified child care centers

What: A free web-based information session offered about the application process and requirements for certified child care centers.

The session presents an overview of the certification process, including completing and submitting the application to DCYF.

Participation is not a requirement of the certification process for child care centers. This session is intended to support applicants, provide guidance, and offer resources related to applying for child care center certification. Participants may be more engaged if they use the supplemental handouts and resources provided.

Next session: April 2026

Presented by: Department of Children, Youth, and Families: Child Care Center Licensing Unit Training Team

• Recorded webinar - November 7, 2024 live session

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Licensing Division is offering an opportunity for certified child care centers to join us for an informational webinar presentation on November 6, 2025. Individuals from various areas of DCYF and DHS will share information and updates related to certification, the latest and upcoming legislative sessions, the Provider Hub, and the Great Start Compensation Payment Program.

• Date: Thursday, November 6, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Meeting link: https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/j.php?MTID=m812b7e0733f9a07ff9c96ca4f5604e55  

Previous webinars

Outreach Connection - May 2025

• Recorded webinar
• Handout 

The Provider Hub learning team has created a webpage with learning resources for child care providers who are new to the Provider Hub or preparing for the application process. 

The Provider Hub and Agency Hub are designed to streamline interactions between providers and agency workers. Visit the Systems Transformation Initiative page to learn more.

The Minnesota Children’s Cabinet and the Departments of Education, Health, Human Services, and Children, Youth, and Families offer quarterly Early Childhood Connector provider calls to child care providers and early educators in Minnesota.

The purpose of Connector Calls is to answer clarifying questions related to legislation, licensing, programs, grants and more from providers and improve state communications. Calls are recorded and available on the Early Childhood Connector webpage.

Educators of all types are invited to these calls. We welcome questions from licensed programs, certified centers, exempt programs, legally nonlicensed providers, Family, Friend and Neighbor caregivers, and individuals interested in starting a child care business.

Learn more about Connector Calls and submit your questions here. Questions must be submitted two weeks before the provider call. State staff will try to answer all questions but may not have time to get to all of them.

Upcoming Connector Call information 

• Next call date: Tuesday, October 21, at 7 p.m. Central Time
• Meeting link: https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/j.php?MTID=m51628519f20d54ffa4d07e9c22bad111

Please save the date and meeting link on your own calendar; the state will not send a meeting invite. The call will be recorded and temporarily available to those who weren't able to attend.

Connector Call survey - share your feedback! Whether you've attended every call or none, we want to know your feedback on Connector Calls! Please fill out this short survey to help the state improve Early Childhood Connector communications.

Sign up to receive communications from the Early Childhood Connector, a cross-agency effort to provide updates to child care providers and early educators in Minnesota. By signing up, you can expect to receive a quarterly newsletter highlighting resources, supports and updates on child care and early education from the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet and Departments of Education, Health, Human Services, and Children, Youth, and Families. Content will be tailored to licensed and nonlicensed child care, Head Start, and prekindergarten programs. In addition to the Early Childhood Connector newsletter, occasional updates will be sent.

New Certification Holders: An organization that does not currently operate a licensed or certified program will create a new Certification Holder account in the Provider Hub in order to submit an application for a program to become certified. For more information, visit the Provider Hub: Getting started webpage. 

The Applying for Certified, License-Exempt Child Care Webpage has additional information about completing an application under the section Phases of the application process for certification. 

Resources:

• Provider Hub: Create a New Provider Hub Account
• Certified Providers: Apply for a new certification through the Provider Hub (login required)
• Certified Providers: View the Status of an Application (login required) 

Existing Certification Holders: Current certification holders have a Certification Holder Account which the Authorized Agent manages and should not create a new account. Authorized Agents assign access levels to other users for the certifications they manage under their Certification Holder Account. People associated with a program that need access to the Provider Hub should not create their own accounts; they must be added by the Authorized Agent. 

If you are an existing certification holder and need assistance accessing the Hub, call our Product Experience Support Team at (651) 431-6075.

Resource: 

• Provider Hub: Create a New Provider Hub Account 

If you already have access to the Provider Hub, you can find a support article on How to Add New Hub Users. The support article contains additional information including roles of users for Great Start Applications and Enrollment/Attendance features of the Provider Hub. 

Resource:

• Provider Hub: How to Add New Hub Users (login required)

To view and print a certification certificate in the Provider Hub, see the support article Licensed Providers: Printing a License Certificate (login required).

Resource:

• Licensed Providers: Printing a License Certificate (login required)

Changes can be made at two levels within the Provider Hub: the Account/Certification Holder level and the Program/Certification level. If you already have access to the Provider Hub, you can find a support article on What is a Change Request. The support article gives additional details on Account/Certification Holder changes and Program/Certification-level changes.

Note: It is recommended, at this time, that certification holders contact their licensor prior to requesting a change to discuss how to complete the change request in the Provider Hub.

Changes at the Program/Certification level

Types of changes include:

• Program details (program name, phone or email)
• Change in operating schedule
• Changes to age categories
• Change in program location
• Center Operator
• Pending Reopening status

Program/Certification level change requests are submitted on the Certification. These changes will be specific to that Program/Certification.

Some change requests will result in automatic approval (such as updating a phone number). Other change requests will require licensor approval and additional time.

The information the provider is required to submit will depend on the type of change requested. Some changes will require the provider to submit documentation (such as policy updates). Some change requests may also require inspections to be conducted by other agencies (such as a fire inspection). Additional requirements may be required within the initial change request in the Provider Hub or at a later date through a Provider Action from the licensor.

Note: Some change requests can be started by anyone with delegated authority but are routed to the Authorized Agent for final approval before the change request is submitted. For example, closing a certified program.

Resources:

• Certified Providers: Submit a Certification Change Request (login required)
• Certified Providers: Request a Change to Days/Hours of Operation (login required)

Changes to the Authorized Agent need to be requested at the Account/Certification Holder level by the current Authorized Agent. If you already have access to the Provider Hub, you can find a support article on How to Change the Authorized Agent.

Changes to the Authorized Agent will not be approved until a NETStudy 2.0 background study clearance is received.

If an Authorized Agent is no longer with the program and a change to the Authorized Agent is needed, please work directly with your licensor. In the unique circumstance that the Authorized Agent is also the background study Sensitive Information Person and is no longer with the program, additional steps will need to be taken to initiate a background study before a change can be made. It is critical that providers work with their licensor to avoid program interruption.

Resource:

• Certified Providers: Submit a Certification Change Request (login required)

Only the Authorized Agent can request changes to the Authorized Agent information in the Provider Hub. Updating the Authorized Agent information is done at the Account/Certification Holder level. If you have access to the Provider Hub, you can find a support article on How to update the Authorized Agent's Information. 

Resource:

• Certified Providers: Submit a Certification Change Request (login required)

If you already have access to the Provider Hub, you can find a support article on how to Enter Personnel. The support article contains additional information, including adding and editing personnel as well as directions on adding personnel related to the Great Start Application. 

Resources:

• Certified Providers: Enter Personnel (login required)
• Provider Hub Great Start Compensation Support Application: Adding Personnel to a Licensed Childcare Center (login required)

Main phone: 651-431-6015            Fax: 651-539-0020

Email: DCYF.licensingccsupport@state.mn.us

Mailing address: Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Licensing Division, P.O. Box 64242, St. Paul, MN 55164-0242

To report maltreatment of a child, contact DCYF Central Intake at 651-539-8222.

Background Studies Division: 651-431-6620

Information regarding the Child Care Assistance Program can be found in the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Child Care Provider Guide.

For questions, email CCAP.Providers.DCYF@state.mn.us or call 651-431-4848.

The certified license-exempt child care email listserv provides information and updates, including legislative changes, for certified license-exempt child care centers, from DCYF Licensing. If you are the center operator for your program, you will automatically receive an email with the same information so you do not need to sign up for this listserv.

Policies for exclusion of sick children must include:

• When a child becomes sick, the certified center must immediately notify the sick child's parent or legal guardian and arrange for pick up. The child needs to be isolated in order to prevent the spread of illness.
• Isolating a sick child from other children in the program does not mean the child has to be in a separate space. It means the child should not be actively participating in activities with other children while waiting to be picked up.
• The definition of illness (sick) on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) website states that an ill/sick child is one who is unable to participate in routine activities or needs more care than can be provided by the childcare/school staff. See Hennepin County infectious diseases in childcare and schools manual. For a list of contagious illnesses that need to be reported, see Minnesota Rules, part 4605.7040.

Policies for infectious disease outbreak control should minimally include a plan for notifying parents of an exposure. The notification: 

• Can be done in many ways, including posting a notice on site in a conspicuous location, sending written notice home with parents, or emailing parents
• Should include the illness and date of potential exposure
• Can include additional information such as signs or symptoms to watch for and incubation periods
• Should not include any child-specific information.

• Can be stored electronically, but must be able to be accessed.
• Can be recorded on any form.
• Can include exemptions, but must have a notarized signature. 

Certified centers must have a policy for administering medication and maintain documentation of staff training on the medication administration policy. Medication includes prescription and nonprescription medication. 

If the program chooses not to administer medication, the policy must state medication is not administered. 

If the program chooses to administer medication, the policy for administering medication must include: 

• Obtaining written permission
• Following instructions
• Storing medication
• Documenting administration.

The department does not have a specific form for recording the administration of medication. Programs must document the administration of medication. Documentation must include: 

• Child's first and last name
• Name of the medication or prescription number
• Date(s), time(s), and dosage(s)
• Name and signature of the person who administered the medicine.

It is recommended that the written permission and record of medication administration are kept in the child’s file for a minimum of three years.

Diapering products, sunscreen, and insect repellent must have written permission from the child's parent or legal guardian. Sunscreen and insect repellant must be stored out of reach of children. School age children can apply sunscreen under the supervision of staff who need to ensure the nonprescription medication is administered according to the manufacturer or health provider instructions.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.13, Subd. 3

Policies for preventing and responding to allergies must require that by the first date a child attends a center, documentation of any known allergy is obtained from each child's parent or legal guardian. This can be included in enrollment forms or any required health care paperwork.

If a child has a known allergy (any allergy), the center must meet the following requirements. It is recommended that a center use the Allergy Form.

1. Maintain current information about the allergy in the child's record. The child specific information must include:

• Description of the allergy
• Triggers to allergens
• Techniques for avoiding exposure to allergens
• Symptoms if an allergic reaction were to occur (what to watch for)
• How to respond to an allergic reaction (including medications and dosages)
• Doctor’s contact information.

2. Ensure that each staff person who works directly with the child is trained in the allergy information. Documentation that staff were informed must be kept on site. It is required that staff are informed:

• At least annually (prior to the end of month in the subsequent year)
• When changes are made to the child’s allergy record.

3. Keep the child’s allergy information available:

• On site at all times
• When on field trips
• During transportation provided by the center
• Where food is prepared and served (for food allergies).

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.13, subd 4

Fire inspection. Prior to being granted certification, a center must provide documentation showing that a fire inspection was completed within the previous three years by the state fire marshal or local fire code inspector trained by the state fire marshal.  

Designated indoor and outdoor space. The certified center must maintain a floor plan of the building that shows where the primary indoor and outdoor spaces utilized by the center are located within/near the building.

Free of hazards. The certified center must ensure:

• The areas used by children must be kept clean and in good repair
• The furniture or equipment is structurally sound and is appropriate to the age and the size of a child who uses the area

• Hazardous items must be kept out of reach. Anything labeled keep out of reach of children should be inaccessible.  Locked cabinets or closets are recommended, but not required.  Certified centers are required to have an emergency plan (see emergency preparedness and response section below) which has a section on identification of hazards. When creating the policy for ensuring the center is free of hazards, ensure that it does not contradict the information in the written emergency plan.

Disposal of bodily fluids. If an exposure to bodily fluids occurs, the certified center must disinfect and dispose of any bodily fluids using gloves and in a securely sealed plastic bag.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.13, Subd.5

• The driver of the vehicle holds a valid driver's license, appropriate to the vehicle driven; and
• The center must comply with all seat belt and child passenger restraint system requirements under Minnesota Statutes, sections 169.685 and 169.686.

Certified centers must develop a risk reduction plan as specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 245H.13, subdivision 7 that identifies the general risks to children served by the certified center with a plan to minimize those risks. Certified centers may use the DHS Risk Reduction Plan form to meet this requirement.

It is also required that staff are trained at orientation, at least once each calendar year and when changes are made to the Risk Reduction Plan. For more information on this requirement, see the Training requirements section below.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.13, Subd.10; Minn. Stat. 245H.14, Subd. 5; Minn. Stat. 245H.14, Subd. 6.

Certified centers must ensure staff and volunteers use positive behavior guidance and prohibit staff from engaging in behavior that may harm children.

It is also required that staff are trained at orientation and at least once each calendar year on behavior guidance. For more information on this requirement, see Training requirements section below.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat.24H.13 Subd. 9; Minn. Stat. 245H.14, Subd. 5; Minn. Stat. 245H.14, Subd. 6.

Staff must supervise each child at all times. Staff may allow for variation based upon the ages and needs of the children and must intervene when necessary to ensure a child’s safety.

It is also required that staff are trained at orientation and at least once each calendar year on supervision. For more information on this requirement, see Training requirements section below.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.13, Subd.10; Minn. Stat. 245H.14, Subd. 5; Minn. Stat. 245H.14, Subd. 6.

Certified centers must have a policy for emergency preparedness and response, using the Child Care Emergency Plan form (PDF). This form is required and must be specific to each individual certified center. 

It is also required that staff are trained at orientation and at least once each calendar year on the center-specific emergency plan (see staff training section below regarding the required training and documentation of training).

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.15

Certified centers must conduct one evacuation and one shelter-in-place drill quarterly and document the time and date of the drills. See the Certified Child Care Center Drill Log Form.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.15

Certified centers must have a policy on reporting that includes informing the commissioner within:

• 24 hours of the death of a child in care at the program; and
• 24 hours of any injury to a child in the certified center that requires treatment by a physician. A “serious injury” is defined as an injury to a child that required treatment by a physician or advanced practice registered nurse. This also includes treatment by a dentist. If a child goes to a doctor, but does not require treatment, it would not be considered a serious injury.

Use the Child Care Center Serious Injury & Death Report Form (PDF) or Word (DOC). The certified center must use the DHS form. Please note, Microsoft Edge is the preferred browser type to use with this form. If you use Chrome, the Send button will not work on the form. You can, however, email the form directly to DCYF.licensingccsupport@state.mn.us.

Certified centers must comply with the reporting requirements for abuse and neglect as specified in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 260E (Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors).

• A person mandated to report physical or sexual child abuse or neglect occurring within a certified center must report the information to DCYF; and
• Certified centers must have written policies for staff to comply with reporting requirements. See Maltreatment of Minors Mandated Reporting Policy (PDF).

The Maltreatment investigations in DHS-licensed programs webpage has additional information on:

• The maltreatment investigation process.
• Mandated reporter resources, including a Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters of Child Maltreatment Concerns and mandated reporter training videos.
• Alerts for providers to reduce risks in child care centers.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.11

Background studies are a key component of certification and is required by state and federal law. Studies for certified centers will be processed by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Certified centers need to conduct DHS background studies on any new staff or individuals who need a study.

Guidance is available to help providers determine who needs a background study.

These individuals are prohibited from providing direct contact services until DHS issues a notice stating otherwise. The notice will be available in NETStudy 2.0 as an electronic document. You must follow the requirements in the notices for these individuals. The study subject will receive one or more of the following notices: a clearance notice, a notice that more time is needed to complete the background study, or a notice of disqualification. The notice will provide information on whether or not the study subject must be supervised or is still not permitted to provide direct contact services.

Legal authority:  Minn. Stat. 245C.02, Subd. 6a; Minn. Stat. 245C.03, Subd. 6a; Minn. Stat. 245C.04; Minn. Stat. 245C.13, Subd. 2.

Background Studies Division contact for NETStudy 2.0 technical assistance questions: dhs.netstudy2@state.mn.us

Background Studies Division contact for all other child care background study related questions: dhs.backgroundcc@state.mn.us

Background Studies Division contact center number: 651-431-6620

For more information about background studies for certified centers, visit the Child care background studies webpage.

A staff person must be 16 years of age or older before providing direct, unsupervised care to a child. Supervised care means an individual is within sight or hearing to the extent that the individual is capable at all times of intervening to protect the health and safety of the child served by the certified center.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.08

Certified centers in a building with license exempt, licensed, and/or other programs cannot mix children from separate programs.

For example, if a school district has a licensed program for preschoolers, a license-exempt school readiness program for preschoolers, and a certified program for school ages all in one building, the children in these various programs cannot combine. They would be able to use shared spaces such as a gym or outdoor playground, but would need a schedule to ensure they are not using  the shared space at the same time.

Certified centers under one certification holder cannot mix children, except under certain circumstances. The certification number is site specific. Wherever you are operating and children are attending, the child needs to be enrolled/authorized to be at that location. For example, if a school district has five certified centers at five separate locations and they want to combine into one location for summer, they would need to enroll all the children from the other four locations at the one location for summer. This would involve notifying CCAP to change authorization information for any child that is changing locations.

During hours of operation, a certified center must have a director or designee on site who is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of program participants and supervising staff and volunteers.  The designee does not have to meet director requirements, but does need to know that they are responsible in the absence of the director. The designee does not need to be the same person each time the director is not present.

The director must be 18 years of age or older and have completed at least 16 hours of training per requirements listed in 245H.08, subd. 02. 

The certified center must complete director information in the Provider Hub.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.08, subd. 2

Certification standards do not require that certified centers maintain attendance records, however Minnesota Statutes 119B.125, Subd. 6 requires all child care providers that receive child care assistance payments to keep daily attendance records at the site where services are delivered for children receiving child care assistance. Certified child care centers must make records available immediately to the county or the commissioner upon request. The attendance records must be completed daily and include the date, the first and last name of each child in attendance, and the times when each child is dropped off and picked up. To the extent possible, the times that the child was dropped off to and picked up from the certified child care center must be entered by the person dropping off or picking up the child. The daily attendance records must be retained at the site where services are delivered for six years after the date of service.

Having a system for children being signed into and out of your center will clarify when a center is responsible for a child and when the child is the responsibility of another program or service. For example,

• A child who attends swimming lessons through another program (with parent permission) in the middle of the day after being dropped off at the certified center. It is recommended that the certified center sign the child out and sign the child back in so as to have documentation regarding where the child is at and who is responsible at that time.
• A child who goes directly from one program to the certified center without parent or legal guardian drop off. Typically, until the other program delivers the child to the certified center, the certified center would not be responsible for the care of the child. It is recommended that when the child arrives, the child is signed into the certified center to clarify who is responsible at that time.
• If your certified center is transporting a child, the child is considered in attendance during transportation.

Kindergarten includes a child of sufficient age to have attended the first day of kindergarten or who is eligible to enter kindergarten within the next four months.

Beginning August 1, 2023 certified centers may serve a child older than 13 years old if either the child remains eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) or if the center serves only school-age children in a setting that has students enrolled in no grade higher than 8th grade. If middle-school-age children are enrolled and combines with elementary children, the Risk Reduction Plan for Certified Child Care Centers must be include policies and procedures to ensure adequate supervision when the children are grouped together. 

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 24H.08, subd. 4 & 5, 24H.13, subd. 7

Maximum group size is the maximum number of children that can be involved in a group activity at any one time. The maximum group size applies at all times except during 

• Group activity coordination time not exceeding 15 minutes
• During a meal, outdoor activity, field trip, nap and rest
• Special activity including a film, guest speaker, indoor large muscle activity, or holiday program.

Maximum group size applies to instances where all children are participating in one activity. This would not include having more than the maximum group size in a space participating in different activities. For example, 90 school age children could be in one cafeteria space as long as they are participating in three or more separate activities (note exceptions above).

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 234H.08, subd. 4

Ratios

Ratios must be maintained based on age category.  When combining age categories, the ratio for the age category for the youngest child in the group applies.

Examples of mixing children in different age categories: 

• If a certified center mixes 20 preschoolers and 30 school age children together in one group, the certified center would need 5 staff (1:10 ratio). If they are not mixed, the center would need 2 staff for the preschoolers (1:10 ratio) and 2 staff for the school agers (1:15 ratio).
• Children in different age categories can be in the same space, but not mixed in some instances. For example, lunch is being served in a cafeteria space. Preschoolers can be in one area and supervised only by the staff responsible for the preschoolers while at the same time school age children are also in the cafeteria space in their own area and only supervised by the staff responsible for the school age children. However, if preschoolers and schoolagers are together in a space mixed and participating in an activity together, they are considered mixed. For areas like outdoor playground or large muscle activities in the gym, a schedule is recommended if the center desires to not mix the children.
• Certified centers can mix children in different age categories for all day or part of the day as long as the center is following ratio and maximum group size requirements for the youngest age category present in the group.
  
  Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.08, subd. 5

The certified center is required to maintain a personnel record for each staff person that contains: 

• The staff person's name, home address, telephone number, and date of birth
• Documentation that the staff person completed training required by section 245H.14
• Documentation of the date the program initiated a background study for the staff person
• Documentation of the date the staff person first had direct contact and access to a child while supervised, and the date the staff person first had direct contact and access to a child while unsupervised.

Annual inspections of certified centers are scheduled with the center operator prior to the announced visit. Personnel records must be entered in the Provider Hub for all staff persons.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H16

Certified centers must ensure the center director, all staff persons, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers are given an orientation training on: 

• Reporting requirements in 245H.11
• Health and safety standard requirements in 245H.13
• Training requirements in 245H.14
• Emergency preparedness requirements in 245H.15.

The certified center must provide the center director, all staff persons, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers with an orientation within 14 days of the first date of direct contact with a child. Before the completion of orientation, an individual must be supervised while providing direct care to a child.

Note: Abusive Head Trauma and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death training, if applicable, must be completed before date of first direct contact.

A certified center must document the date of a completed training required by this section. Orientation documentation will be recorded in the Provider Hub for all staff persons.

Health and safety standard requirements in 245H.13 include:

• Exclusion of sick children and infection disease outbreak control
• Immunizations
• Administration of medication
• Preventing and responding to allergies
• Building and physical premises; free of hazards
• Transporting children (training is on requirements in Minn. Stat. 169.685, if transporting children)
• Risk Reduction
• Behavior guidance
• Supervision

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.14, subd. 5

Staff, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers must be trained once each calendar year on:

• Reporting requirements in 245H.11
• Health and safety standard requirements in 245H.13
• Abusive Head Trauma and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death requirements in 245H.14 
• Emergency preparedness requirements in 245H.15.

Staff, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers must be trained every other calendar year on Child Development and Pediatric CPR/First aid requirements in 245H.14.

Staff must complete at least six hours of training each calendar year. Required trainings (both at orientation and each calendar year) may be used to meet the six hours required. College courses can be counted toward in service training if the coursework would apply to the staff person’s job. One semester credit is equivalent to 15 hours of training.

A certified center must document the date, training institution, and hours for any completed training in the personnel record for each staff person. In-service training documentation will be recorded in the Provider Hub for all staff persons.

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) videos

DCYF has approved the following series of videos which can be used, but are not required when providing SUID training. Certified centers are responsible for meeting all SUID training requirements as outlined in MN Statutes, section 142C.12, subd. 2, including the standards in MN Statutes, section 142B.46.

Please note: The videos below include portrayals of infant sleep environments in private, non-licensed homes that are not subject to the requirements of MN Statutes, section 142B.46. Certified child care providers must comply with statutory safe sleep requirements for sleeping infants, including nothing in the crib except for an infant’s pacifier. In addition, attachments or modifications to the crib are prohibited.

• Safe Sleep (produced by Hennepin County, 4:17)
• Sleep On It - Preventing Unsafe Sleep Practices (produced by Dakota County, 6:28)
• Safe Sleep for Childcare Providers (produced by the city of St. Louis, 4:19) 
• Safe Sleep for Your Baby (produced by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 9:56) 
• Clear the Crib to Reduce the Risk of Sleep-Related Infant Death (produced by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 1:59)

Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) videos

DCYF has approved the following videos which can be used, but are not required when providing AHT training. Certified centers are responsible for meeting all AHT training requirements as outlined in MN Statutes, section 142C.12, subd. 3.

• Never Shake: Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome (produced by the Missouri Children's Trust Fund, 7:48)
• Forever Shaken (produced by the Brain Injury Association of Nebraska, 33:17)
• Jippson & Sapp Family (produced by Never Shake Minnesota, 13:49)

Use the Minnesota State Child Care Emergency Plan, DHS-7415 (PDF) and Keeping Kids Safe: Child Care Provider Emergency Planning Guide DHS-7414 (PDF) when preparing for your response to emergencies and disasters. Each certified center must have a unique emergency plan using the Child Care Emergency Plan, DHS-7955 (PDF) created by DHS. This frequently asked questions document (PDF) is also an important resource for child care centers.

Certified centers must conduct one evacuation and one shelter-in-place drill quarterly and document the time and date of the drills. See the Certified Child Care Center Drill Log Form.

• Certified Child Care Center Drill Log Form (PDF)
• Certified Child Care Centers Background Study Worksheet: Is a background study required? DHS-7733B (PDF) (1/24)
• Checklist for Certified Child Care Centers (Excel) (12/24)
• Child Allergy Information Form (PDF)
• Child Care Center Medication Authorization, DHS-8373 (PDF) (1/24)
• Child Care Emergency Plan (PDF)
• Director Information Form for Certified Centers (PDF)
• Guidelines for Developing Policies and Procedures for Certified Centers, DHS-4719A (PDF) (10/25)
• Maltreatment of Minors Mandated Reporting Policy for Certified Centers, DHS-7634D (PDF) (7/25)
• Orientation Training Record for Certified Centers DHS-7953B (PDF) (1/25)
• Risk Reduction Plan, DHS-7954B (PDF) (9/25)
• Serious Injury and Death Report: (PDF) (Word DOC)
• Yearly In-service Training Record for Certified Centers (PDF) (12/22)

To remain in compliance as a certified child care center with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, all changes to the terms of your certification must be requested and approved.

All changes must be requested in the Provider Hub. 

The following are examples of changes made in the Provider Hub. Instructions on how to make these types of changes to your certification can be found in the resource tab in the Provider Hub.

• New center operator 
• Adding or removing an age group 
• Moving locations 
• Changing schedule (Operate during summer months versus school year, etc.)
• Change in contact information
• Closing certification

The following rules and statutes guide licensing and certification activities:

• Licensed Child Care Centers: Minnesota Rules, Chapter 9503
• Certified License-Exempt Child Care Centers: Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 142C
• Children, Youth, and Families Licensing: Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 142B
• Human Services Background Studies Act: Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 245C
• Maltreatment of Minors Act: Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 260E

DCYF is mandated to certify license-exempt child care centers that meet the requirements under 245H.02. As such, DCYF is given the right of access to these centers to carry out all of the duties under 245H – in other words, once a center has been identified as requiring certification, DCYF has the right to enter the center to perform required duties.

DCYF access. When a certified center is in operation and information is relevant to an inspection or investigation, the DCYF employee must be given access to:

• The physical facility and grounds where the program is provided
• Documentation and records, including electronically maintained records
• Children served by the center
• Staff and personnel records of current and former staff 
• Records needed would include only those from point of certification and moving forward.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.04

Annual announced inspections. Certified centers will have an inspection once per calendar year to determine compliance with standards in 245H. Annual inspections will be announced and coordinated between center operators and DHS.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.05

Investigations. In some instances where DCYF has received information of alleged certification violations or maltreatment, there may be unannounced investigation visits to the certified center.

• Certification investigations: If DCYF receives information that a certified center is not following the requirements in 142C, a licensor may be assigned an investigation to determine compliance. Information received by DCYF is routed to an intake team that will do an initial assessment. If a licensor is doing an investigation, the licensor must be given access to the program, records, and/or staff. Based on the information collected, DCYF will determine what action is appropriate, if any.
• Maltreatment investigations: If DCYF receives information that alleged or suspected abuse or neglect has occurred in a center, an investigator may be assigned to do a maltreatment investigation. Information received by DCYF is routed to an intake team that will do an initial assessment to determine if assigned. If an investigator is doing an investigation, the investigator must be given access to the program, records, and/or staff. Based on the information collected, DCYF will determine what action is appropriate, if any.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 260E

Correction orders. If the certification holder failed to comply with a law, the commissioner may issue a correction order. The correction order must state the condition that constitutes a violation of the law, the specific law violated, and the time allowed to correct each violation. If the certification holder believes that the commissioner's correction order is erroneous, the certification holder may ask the commissioner to reconsider the part of the correction order that is allegedly erroneous. Center Operators will receive an email notifying them that the correction order is available to review in the Provider Hub.  Follow the instructions on the correction order to send “How Corrected” responses to your licensor.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.06

Decertification. The commissioner may decertify a center if a certification holder failed to comply with an applicable law; or knowingly withheld relevant information from or gave false or misleading information to the commissioner in connection with an application for certification, in connection with the background study status of an individual, during an investigation, or regarding compliance with applicable laws. When considering decertification, the commissioner must consider the nature, chronicity, or severity of the violation of law. When a center is decertified, the center is ineligible to receive payments from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) under Minnesota Statutes 119B.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.07

The 2017 Minnesota Legislature enacted changes to bring Minnesota into compliance with the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant.  Minnesota Statutes, Section 142C requires license-exempt centers that receive CCAP to be certified.  The following exclusions from licensure under Minnesota Statutes 245A.03, subd. 2 that chooses to participate in CCAP must be certified:  

• (5) Programs operated by a public school for children 33 months or older
• (11) Recreation programs for children that are operated or approved by a park and recreation board
• (12) Programs operated by a school, YMCA, YWCA, or JCC whose primary purpose is to provide child care or services to school-age children
• (13) Head Start nonresidential programs that operate for less than 45 days in a year
• (15) Programs for children such as scouting, boys clubs, girls clubs, and sports and arts programs, and nonresidential programs for children provided for a cumulative total of less than 30 days in any 12-month period
• (18) Camps licensed by the commissioner of health under Minnesota Rules, chapter 4630
• (26) Programs serving only children who are age 33 months or older, that is operated by a nonpublic school, for no more than four hours per day per child, with no more than 20 children at any one time, and that is accredited by an accrediting agency that is formally recognized by the commissioner of education as a nonpublic school accrediting organization; or an accrediting agency that requires background studies and that receives and investigates complaints about the services provided. A program that asserts its exemption from licensure under this item shall provide the commissioner with documentation from the accrediting agency that verifies: that the accreditation is current; that the accrediting agency investigates complaints about services; and that the accrediting agency's standards require background studies on all people providing direct contact services.
• (30) Effective January 1, 2024. Head Start programs that serve only children who are at least three years old but not yet six years old.