Counties perform the major functions related to licensing of family child care programs in Minnesota, including inspections and issuing correction orders. This page focuses on the state's role in monitoring and enforcement of family child care. It also has information family child care providers need to obtain and maintain their licenses.
Parent Aware has information for families to find quality child care and early education, and tools for providers looking for professional development or to improve quality.
The Provider Hub is the online system that will be used to manage existing licenses and apply for new licenses. Visit the Provider Hub: Getting started webpage for resources about preparing to use the Provider Hub.
Child Care Regulation Modernization
In 2021, the Minnesota legislature passed legislation and allocated federal funding to support regulation modernization projects for both licensed family child care and child care centers. Visit the Child Care Regulation Modernization page to learn more about these ongoing efforts.
Child Care Systems Transformation
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has completed the first phase of the child care systems transformation project for certified child care centers. Certified centers now have access to the Provider Hub. Additional phases and functions continue to be developed. Visit the Systems Transformation Initiative page to learn more about this ongoing project, which will include Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) registration and renewal.
In anticipation of family child care and child care center licensing, child care center certification, and child foster care licensing moving to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) next year, the 2024 legislature made technical changes to many parts of statute. Existing licensing and certification standards currently found in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245A and chapter 245H are moving to new Minnesota Statutes chapters 142B (licensing) and 142C (certification). Requirements found in Minnesota Rules are not moving. The new statute locations will be effective after child care licensing, child care certification, and child foster care licensing transfer from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to DCYF next year (anticipated June 2025). The licensing and certification requirements remain the same, only the location of where to find them is changing. This document outlines where requirements are currently found and where they will be found in the new chapter of statute.
As of January 1, 2025, family child care licenses are issued on a calendar-year cycle (January – December). They will automatically renew after a licensing fee is invoiced and paid before year end rather than expiring after one or two years. This document, Guidance on Family Child Care continuous licenses, provides information about topics related to continuous licenses.
2024 legislative session: The Minnesota Legislature made changes in 2024 for family child care. Information about these changes is available in this 2024 Implementation Plan (PDF).
The Provider Hub learning team has created a Provider Hub: Getting started webpage with learning resources for child care providers who want to know what you need to do to prepare to use the Provider Hub.
The 2023 Legislature added language to Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.1435 to align with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) recommendations for infant safe sleep and to provide greater clarity for license holders. The safe sleep legislative changes for licensed programs took effect January 1, 2024.
The following safe sleep forms and documents have been updated to reflect the legislative changes:
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.
The next call will be on Tuesday, April 29, from 7 to 8 p.m. Central Time. During the call, state staff will answer questions related to legislation, licensing, programs, grants and more. The purpose of the call is to answer clarifying questions that providers may have. Educators of all types, from licensed to Family, Friend and Neighbor caregivers, are invited to these calls.
Early Childhood Connector Call details
Next call date: Tuesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. Central Time
Purpose: For the state to answer clarifying questions for child care providers and early educators. The state will not address individual grievances during this time.
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 folks who are not able to attend.
On a quarterly basis, the state is hosting Connector Calls with child care providers and early educators to answer questions related to legislation, licensing, programs, grants and more. The purpose of the calls is to answer clarifying questions that providers may have. Whether you've attended every call or none, we want to know your feedback on Connector Calls! Please fill out the short Early Childhood Connector Call survey. Your answers are anonymous and will help the state improve Early Childhood Connector communications. Your feedback is appreciated!
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.
The licensed family child care email listserv provides information and updates, including legislative changes, related to family child care, from DHS Licensing. Currently licensed family child care providers will automatically receive an email with the same information, so current providers do not need to sign up for this listserv.
For questions related to licensing please reach out to your county licensor, or you can contact DHS via email at dhs.fccproviderquestions@state.mn.us.
Do not reply to emails sent to you, as they will not be read or forwarded for handling. Your email address is used only to deliver the information you requested.
DHS has begun to implement the enhanced background studies that will impact all licensed child care programs. This also impacts all certified licensed-exempt centers. (Non-licensed providers participating in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) are also impacted by these changes.) These new enhanced background studies are required by changes in federal law. For more information on the new study requirements, go to Minnesota child care provider background studies.
The federal Office of Child Care has informed states that they are able to use certain child care block grant funds to help providers pay for the new enhanced background studies.
Accordingly, DHS will pay for the cost of the new background studies for existing providers and their staff/family members who already have a current background study when the new enhanced studies are rolled out. (Non-licensed providers participating in CCAP will also have their costs covered and will receive a separate letter from DHS.)
If you hire new staff or have other individuals who are required to have a background study after the roll-out date of the enhanced studies, those individuals will need the enhanced study and DHS funds will not cover the costs.
When the new background studies are implemented, the cost for adults will be $49.10 ($40 for the study plus a fingerprinting fee of $9.10). The costs will apply to new staff and/or other individuals required to have a background study who are not covered by the DHS one-time funding, as described above.
Over the past year, the Department has issued draft guidance for family child care providers regarding who needs a background study in light of changes to state and federal laws. The final version of guidance is now available, guidance to help a provider determine who needs a background study (DHS-7733-ENG). If after reviewing this guidance a provider has questions about who needs a background study, they should contact their licensor.
Individuals affiliated with a licensed or certified child care center must complete an enhanced background study every five years. To comply with this requirement, new studies must be submitted, and should be initiated no more than 90 calendar days before the study's expiration date. Further details about the renewal process are available.
When a child is admitted in a child care program a Family Child Care Admission and Arrangement Form must be signed completed and kept in the child’s record. Within this form the license holder needs to complete the liability insurance notification, permission to obtain emergency medical care and authorization to transport a child. Prior to transporting children under the age of nine the caregiver must complete the required training.
License holders must notify parents in writing if they have or do not have liability insurance prior to admission. This notification may be included on the Admission and Arrangement form. If the license holder does not have liability insurance coverage they must provide annual notice to parents on this DHS form. If the license holder has coverage and the policy changes or lapses they must provide notice to parents on this DHS form; however, if there are no changes to the continuous coverage no further notices are required.
License holders must complete the following information for all children you have cared for over the last 12 months, whether they are still in care or not and whether they are full or part time. Evaluations will be sent to at least two of these parents.
Documentation of immunizations must be in a child’s record. An immunization printout from a medical facility is a medical record and will meet the documentation requirement. It does not need a signature.
The Minnesota Department of Health provides a resource list on immunization topics for child care providers.
When a child has an allergy, the parent must complete and sign the DHS approved Family Child Care Allergy Information Form. This must be completed before the child is admitted. The signed form must be in the child’s records.
As of Sept. 30, 2019 you must give this document to parents of children who enroll in your program. Parents can acknowledge receipt of this document by using the checkbox on the Admission and Arrangements form. You are not required to distribute this document to currently enrolled families, but you must make them available upon request.
When an infant is present
When an infant is present in a program, parents or a physician or in some situations an advanced practice registered nurse may need to complete the following forms if they apply. The signed and completed form must be in the child’s records. See Minnesota Statue 245A.1435.
Placing a swaddled infant down to sleep in a licensed setting is not recommended and is prohibited for any infant who has begun to roll over independently. However, with written consent of the parent and a one-piece sleeper equipped with an attached system that fasten securely only across the upper torso, with no constriction of the hips or legs a license holder may swaddle an infant. The DHS required form must be completed and signed in the child’s record.
When an infant is present in the program the caregiver must place the infant to sleep on its back to sleep. An infant who independently rolls onto its stomach after being placed to sleep on its back may be allowed to remain sleeping on its stomach if the infant is at least six months of age or the license holder has a signed statement from the parent indicating that the infant regularly rolls over at home. This documentation must be in a child’s record. This form may be used to fulfill this requirement.
When an infant is present the license holder must place the infant to sleep on its back unless the license holder has documentation from the infant's physician, advance practice registered nurse, or physician assistant directing an alternative sleeping position for the infant. This DHS required permission form must be completed and signed in the child’s record.
Only when a swimming pool or wading pool is in use
Only when a swimming pool or wading pool is in use the following forms would need to be completed
When a wading pool is used these forms are required for each child in care. The risk sheet will be given to parents and the permission form must be signed in the child’s records.
When a swimming pool is used these forms are required for each child in care. The risks sheet will be given to parents and the permission form must be signed in the child’s records.
The licensed program must maintain annual documentation on cribs against the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission Web to check equipment for recalls. Monthly safety inspections on every crib, portable crib, mesh-sided or fabric-sided play yard, pack and play, or playpen used by or accessible to any child in care must be conducted and documented. This form may be used to fulfill this requirement.
The licensed program must have a written fire escape plan and a log of monthly fire and storm drills. This form may be used to fulfill this requirement.
Applicants are required to complete the Certificate of Compliance of Minnesota Workers' Compensation Law form at application. This form must be updated if any of the information changes.
License holders must have a policy that prohibits license holders, employees, subcontractors, and volunteers, when directly responsible for persons served by the program, from abusing prescription medication or being in any manner under the influence. This policy can be contained within the license holders written policies to fulfill this requirement or this for may be used.
License holders must have a program grievance procedure for parents. This policy can be contained within the license holder's written policies to fulfill this requirement or this form may be used.
License holders must have emergency phone numbers of the parents and the child’s physician and dentist must be readily available. This form may be used to fulfill this requirement.
License holders do not need keep a copy in their records, however, a descriptive summary of parts 9502.0315 to 9502.0445 shall be distributed to parents.
Providers are required to maintain a log of monthly fire and storm drills. This form may be used to meet that requirement.
The licensed program must also have documentation on the following:
Attendance records if enrolled in CCAP
Pet rabies documentation (if applicable)
Completed background study
The license holder, caregivers, substitutes and helpers must comply with training requirements and provide documentation of proof. If you are registered with Develop you can print your training record. If you have courses not listed on Develop you must provide proof of those to your licensor.
If the license holder has employees, substitutes or helpers the license holder must maintain their training records and background studies.
License Holder Policies
License holders’ policies must have written information available for discussion with parents or the agency. They must contain the following information:
The ages and numbers of children in care in the residence
The hours and days of operation
Meals and snacks to be served
Labeling requirements for food brought from the child's home
Sleeping and rest arrangements
Nondiscrimination practices to comply with subpart 6
Policies for the care of ill children, disease notification procedures, immunizations, and medicine permission policies
Emergency, fire, and storm plans and the monthly fire drill log
Seat belt and transportation plans and field trip and transportation permission requirements
Fees
Termination and notice procedures
Plans for a helper and substitute for emergencies, vacations, or holidays
The presence of pets in the residence
A complete copy of Rule 2
Insurance coverage
Reporting Obligations
You are to notify the authorized agent or Minnesota Department of Health of any suspected case of reportable disease specified in Rule 4605.7040.
Fact sheets on requirements for ongoing training, pre-licensing training, and helper training are being revised. Updated versions will be available soon; please refer to Training Requirements for Family Child Care (DHS-7672) in the interim.
There are several types of programs licensed under Minnesota Rule 9502 designated as Special Family Day Care Homes. These programs include employer and church-based programs, community collaborative and not-for-profit agency programs, and programs operated in a commercial space. Specific requirements for these programs are found in Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.14, Subd. 4 . Persons interested in applying under this special regulation should contact their county licensor for more information.
Licensed Family Child Care Providers are required to follow Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 245A and Minnesota Rule 9502 (also known as Rule 2). Rules and statutes are available online at the following links. License holders are responsible for understanding and following these laws:
Where can I find child care regulations for licensed family child care programs?
Whether you’re a license holder, educator, parent or interested resident, you may be interested in the specific regulations that pertain to licensed family child care programs. The Licensing Statutes and Rules for family child care programs provide standards for regulated child care providers to ensure minimum health and safety standards are met.
To reference Minnesota statutes, laws or rules that license holders are required to know and comply with, you can search directly on the website of the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
The site is updated after each legislative session, as updates or changes to requirements occur.
Within the site, you can use the Search Law by Keyword feature to find specific topics. The Authenticate PDF feature allows you to create a printable PDF of any law.
The following rules and statutes guide licensing activities for licensed family child care:
Note: Hyperlinks to Minnesota Statutes on this webpage and within the Department of Human Services (DHS) forms have been impacted by the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes website updates related to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). The licensing and certification requirements remain the same, only the location of where to find them is changing. This document outlines where requirements are currently found and where they will be found in the new chapter of statute. The new statute locations will be effective after child care licensing, child care certification, and child foster care licensing transfer from DHS to DCYF (anticipated June 2025).
The 2019 Legislature established and directed the Family Child Care Task Force to discuss and make recommendations related to family child care licensing and the Parent Aware program. Task force members include family child care providers, parents, legislators, DHS, and appointees from various child care-related organizations.
As of January 1, 2025, family child care licenses are issued on a calendar-year cycle (January – December). They will automatically renew after a licensing fee is invoiced and paid before year end rather than expiring after one or two years. This document, Guidance on Family Child Care continuous licenses, provides information about topics related to continuous licenses.
Second adult caregivers that work for a cumulative total of more than 500 hours annually are required to:
Complete a background check
Complete a Physician’s Report Form
Training on the program’s drug and alcohol policy
Training on the program’s emergency preparedness plan
Training on the allergy prevention and response plan for all children that it applies to
Complete pediatric CPR and pediatric First Aid within the past two years
Complete approved Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) & Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) training in person, face-to-face, in a classroom, or on-line once every two years. On the off year you must view all six of the videos approved by Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Complete four hours of training in Child Development and Learning & Behavior Guidance initially and two hours annually ongoing
Complete the six hour in person (or 8 hour online) Supervising for Safety – Family Child Care training initially and two hours of Active Supervision annually ongoing
Complete child passenger restraint (CARS) training if placing a child under age 8 in a passenger restraint every five years
Complete a total of sixteen hours training annually.
Adult caregivers that works for a cumulative total of less than 500 hours annually are required to:
Complete a background check
Complete a Physician’s Report Form
Training on the program’s drug and alcohol policy
Training on the program’s emergency preparedness plan
Training on the allergy prevention and response plan for all children that it applies to
Complete pediatric CPR and pediatric First Aid within the past two years
Complete approved Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) & Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) training in person, face-to-face, in a classroom, or on-line once every two years. On the off year you must view all six of the videos approved by Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Complete child passenger restraint (CARS) training if placing a child under age 8 in a passenger restraint every five years
Complete the four-hour Basics of Licensed Family Child Care for Substitutes course every three years
Substitute means an adult at least 18 years of age who assumes the responsibility of the license holder for a cumulative total of not more than 500 hours annually.
Complete a background check
Training on the program’s drug and alcohol policy
Training on the program’s emergency preparedness plan
Training on the allergy prevention and response plan for all children that it applies to
Complete pediatric CPR and pediatric First Aid within the past two years
Complete approved Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) & Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) training in person, face-to-face, in a classroom, or on-line once every two years. On the off year you must view all six of the videos approved by Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Complete child passenger restraint (CARS) training if placing a child under age 8 in a passenger restraint every five years
Complete the four-hour Basics of Licensed Family Child Care for Substitutes course every three years.
Helper means a person at least 13 years of age and less than 18 years of age who assists the provider with the care of children. A helper can never be left alone with children. Helpers are required to:
Complete a background check
Training on the program’s drug and alcohol policy
Complete approved Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) & Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) training in person, face-to-face, in a classroom, or on-line once every two years. On the off year you must view all six of the videos approved by Minnesota Department of Human Services
Helpers who assists with care on a regular basis (at least monthly) must complete six hours of training within one year after the date of initial employment.
This 4-page fact sheet, Training Requirements for Licensed Family Child Care Providers DHS-7672 (PDF), answers questions providers may have, including requirements for different roles, initial training requirements, ongoing training requirements, definition of "annual," training not required annually, and resources.
Sixteen hours annually must be completed. "Annual" or "annually" means the 12-month period beginning on the license effective date or the annual anniversary of the effective date and ending on the day prior to the annual anniversary of the license effective date.
Child Development and Learning or Behavior Guidance is required each licensing year. You can choose one or the other from the following to meet this requirement:
Knowledge and Competency Framework KCF I
Knowledge and Competency Framework KCF II.C
Active Supervision (also known as Supervising for Safety) is required by completing a two-hour course annually. Although it is KCF VII.B., not all courses in this KCF meet this requirement. Course titles that start with "Active Supervision" and the courses Health and Safety I or Health and Safety II count toward this requirement in the year the course was taken.
Health and Safety I (KCF VII.A and KCF VII.B) must be completed once every five years.
Health and Safety II (KCF VII.A and KCF VII.B) must be completed once every five years.
Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) training and Abusive head trauma (AHT) training (KCF VII.B) is required for all license holders, staff persons, caregivers, and helpers who assist in the care of infants.
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) videos
The Department of Human Services has approved the following series of videos to meet the SUID component when individuals are not receiving face-to-face, classroom, or online SUID training. All videos must be viewed to meet the SUID training requirement.
Please note: The videos below include portrayals of infant sleep environments in private, non-licensed homes that are not subject to the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.1435. Licensed child care providers must comply with statutory safe sleep requirements when sleeping infants including nothing in the crib except for an infant’s pacifier. In addition, attachments or modifications to the crib are prohibited.
Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) videos
The Department of Human Services has approved the following series of videos to meet the AHT component when license holders are not receiving face-to-face, classroom, or online AHT training. All videos must be viewed to meet the AHT training requirement.
Pediatric CPR (KCF VII.B) every two years that must include techniques for infants and children.
Pediatric first aid (KCF VII.B) every two years
Child Restraint Systems (C.A.R.S.) training (KCF VII.B) must be completed every five years if transporting children under the age of eight. If you are not transporting children you do not need to complete this course.
Basics of Licensed Family Child Care for Substitutes (KCF II.B) is required for substitutes or adult caregivers every three years. This four-hour course must be completed before caring for children.
Child Care Aware of America (CCA) and Child Care Aware of Minnesota help children succeed in school and life by supporting the professional growth of child care providers and connecting families to quality child care. The organization provides high quality professional development resources for child care and early education professionals across Minnesota. These include training, coaching, consultation and financial support to attain credentials and degrees.
The Child Care Assistance Program helps families with low incomes pay for child care so that parents can work or go to school, and children have more opportunities to thrive as learners. For more information, visit the department's child care and early education webpage, email dhs.ccap@state.mn.us or call 651-431-3809.
The Early Childhood Learning and Child Protection Facilities Grant is a statewide grant program that provides funding for the renovation or construction of early childhood learning facilities. The grant program is competitive and requires a 50% match. Grants for an individual facility renovation or construction may not exceed $500,000 for each program that is housed in the facility, up to a maximum of $2,000,000 per project. The program is funded periodically with both general fund, and state bond funds. This mix of funding allows for projects with nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, or political subdivisions such as school districts or cities. For more information, contact Roy Murphy at DHS at 651-249-4942 or roy.murphy@state.mn.us.
Child Care Aware of Minnesota offers a number of grants and scholarships to people in the field, including regional grants, R.E.E.T.A.I.N. Bonuses, T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships, CDA Scholarships and Foreign Credential Evaluation Scholarships.
Child Care Wayfinder provides personalized support and encouragement for navigating the child care licensing process and offers resources to help expand and sustain currently licensed child care programs.
CACFP reimburses day care homes for a maximum of two meals and one snack or one meal two snacks per day per child 12 years of age or younger. Minnesota currently has nine nonprofit family child care sponsoring organizations that administer CACFP. For further information, visit the CACFP for Family Child Care page at the Minnesota Department of Education. Contact your chosen Child and Adult Care Food Program regarding start-up grants available for up to $300.
Parent Aware gives parents and others the tools and information to find the best quality child care and early education for children. Parent Aware's resources page has information specific to child care providers.
The Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC) is a centralized, comprehensive resource network supporting inclusive care for children in community settings. CICC provides free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including support, training, modeling and resources to child care programs throughout Minnesota.
As a child care and education professional, you know the experiences children have with you are foundational to everything else they will be learning throughout their lives. We share your desire to help prepare them for all life has in store. The Minnesota Department of Human Services does this by partnering with organizations that specialize in helping you at all stages of starting and building a strong child care and education business.
Family child care providers are encouraged to submit questions to the Licensing Division for review. These provider questions allow the Licensing Division to determine where more clarification on licensing requirements can be provided. Your question will be sent to DHS. DHS will consult with your county licensor before replying with an answer to your question. Your county licensor will be copied on DHS’ response to your question.
