Certified child care centers
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is responsible for certifying and monitoring license-exempt child care centers that participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Certification helps keep children safe and healthy by making sure providers meet basic standards for care and a safe physical environment.
Information on how to obtain child care center certification
License-exempt child care centers that want to participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) are required to complete a certification process with DCYF before becoming authorized to receive CCAP payments. Information and resources are available about the process of applying for certification.
News and updates
Provider Hub
The Provider Hub is the online system to manage existing licenses and apply for new licenses. The Provider Hub is available to providers 24/7 and is accessible on mobile devices, tablets, and computers. The Provider Hub supports English, Somali, Spanish, and Hmong languages.
The Provider Hub allows child care providers to:
- Manage existing certified centers, including requesting changes and submitting information for the annual certification review.
- Apply for a license for a new program.
- Add additional users to access program information.
Most of the information about how to use the Provider Hub is in the Hub itself. Visit the Provider Hub webpage for resources about how to find that information, or about how to log in or begin an application in the Hub.
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Changes in policies and procedures
Health and safety requirements
Emergency preparedness
Reporting
Background study requirements
Staffing requirements
Training requirements
Parental access
Certified centers must include a statement in both the staff and parent policies that a parent or legal guardian must be allowed access to their child at any time their child is in care.
Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.18