Licensed family child care

On June 18, 2025, family child care licensing transferred from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Existing DHS-issued license certificates remain valid, and license holders do not need to reapply or take any action. For more information about this transition, see this June 2 GovDelivery message.

New laws passed by the 2025 Legislature include several provisions that impact family child care. DCYF prepared the 2025 Implementation Plan for Legislative Changes to assist family child care providers.

With the move to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), some state statutes that set standards for family child care licensing have been renumbered. Licensing standards previously found in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245A are now located in chapter 142B. The licensing requirements remain the same, only the location has changed. This document provides the new statute number for each requirement.

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.

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.

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:

• Optional Form for Parent Statement: Infant Less Than Six Months of Age Regularly Rolling Over (DHS-7219) (PDF)
• Swaddling Consent for an Infant (DHS-7218) (PDF)
• Directive for Alternative Infant Sleep Position (DHS-7216) (PDF)

These are new forms and documents to meet the new requirements in the legislative changes:

• Cradleboard Variance Request Form (DHS-8529) (PDF)
• Parent Cradleboard Request and Monthly Cradleboard Check Form (DHS-8536) (PDF)
• Helmet Approval for Sleeping Infant (DHS-8531) (PDF)

A new Family Child Care Orientation is now available for potential applicants.

The licensed family child care email listserv provides information and updates, including legislative changes, related to family child care, from DCYF 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 us via email at DCYF.fccproviderquestions@state.mn.us.

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 Provider Hub learning team has created a webpage with learning resources to help child care providers prepare to use the Provider Hub.

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.

For more information about background studies, please visit Minnesota child care provider background studies.

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.

• Admission and Arrangements Family Child Care DHS-7776 (PDF)
• Liability Insurance Notice to Parents or Guardians Family Child Care DHS-7741 (PDF)
• Enrollment Form - Family Child Care (PDF)
• Immunization Records (resource list from the Minnesota Department of Health)
• Allergy Information Form  Family Child Care DHS-7736 (PDF)
• Maltreatment of Minors Mandated Reporting policy DHS-7634C (PDF) (6/25)

When an infant is present

• Swaddling Consent for an Infant DHS-7218 (PDF)
• Infant Rolling over Parent Statement for Infant Less Than Six Months Old DHS-7219 (PDF)
• Directive for Alternative Infant Sleep Position DHS-7216 (PDF)

Only when a swimming pool or wading pool is in use

• Wading Pool Risks Family Child Care DHS-7729D (PDF)
• Wading Pool Permission Form Family Child Care DHS-7749C (PDF)
• Swimming Pool Risks Family Child Care DHS-7749B (PDF)
• Swimming Pool Permission Form Family Child Care DHS-7749A (PDF)

• Monthly Crib Safety Inspection Form DHS-7743 (PDF)
• Floor and Escape Plan DHS-2720 (PDF)
• Workers Compensation
• Alcohol and Drug Use Policy- Sample Family Child Care DHS-7735 (PDF)
• Grievance Procedure- Sample Family Child Care DHS-7740 (PDF)
• Child Care Emergency Plan DHS-7955 (PDF)
• Emergency Phone Numbers Family Child Care DHS-7738 (PDF)
• Rule and Summary Family Child Care DHS-7747 (PDF)
• Storm and Fire Drill Family Child Care DHS-7748 (PDF)

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.

Licensing (general)

• Age Group Definitions - Family Child Care (DHS-7734) (PDF)
• Exclusions from Licensure - Family Child Care (DHS-7739) (PDF)
• Guidance to help a provider determine who needs a background study (DHS-7733) (PDF)
• Licensing inspection checklist - ELICI (XLS) (9/25)
• Licensing Requirements Dispute Form - Family Child Care (DHS-7966) (PDF)
• Family Child Care Request for Expedited Correction Order Reconsideration (PDF)
• Qualifying Fix-it Ticket Items (PDF)

Staffing

• Substitute Tracking Hours - Family Child Care (DHS-7965) (PDF)
• Variance Request Form - Extended Use of Substitutes (DHS-7964) (PDF)

Training

• Training Requirements for Family Child Care (DHS-7672) (3/25)

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.

• SUID & AHT Off-year Video Training Verification - Family Child Care (DHS-3803) (PDF)

Parent permissions

• Prescription and Non-Prescription Medication Administration Permission - Family Child Care (DHS-7746) (PDF)
• Travel and Activity Authorization (DHS-7773) (PDF)

Safety

• Serious Injury Reporting Form - Family Child Care (DHS-7774) (PDF)
• Wading Pool Best Practices Form - Family Child Care (DHS-7668B) (PDF)
• Poisonous Plants - Family Child Care (DHS-7745) (PDF)
• Fire inspections for child care facilities (Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
• Recalls and Product Safety Warnings (US Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Infant safe sleep

• Safe Sleep Standards and Training Requirements for Child Care (PDF)
• Safe Sleep FAQ (PDF) (Minnesota Department of Health)
• Parent Cradleboard Request and Monthly Cradleboard Check Form (DHS-8536) (PDF)
• Cradleboard Variance Request Form (DHS-8529) (PDF)
• Helmet Approval for Sleeping Infant (DHS-8531) (PDF)

There are several types of programs licensed under Minnesota Rule 9502 designated as Special Family Child 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 142B.41, Subd. 4. If you are interested in applying under this special regulation, contact your county licensor for more information.

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 Children, Youth, and Families.  
• 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 every five years if placing a child under age 8 in a passenger restraint  
• 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 Children, Youth, and Families.  
• Complete child passenger restraint (CARS) training every five years if placing a child under age 8 in a passenger restraint  
• 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 online once every two years. On the off year you must view all six of the videos approved by Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
• Complete child passenger restraint (CARS) training every five years if placing a child under age 8 in a passenger restraint
• 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 Children, Youth, and Families. 
• A helper 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:

1. Knowledge and Competency Framework KCF I 
2. 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 Children, Youth, and Families 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.

• Safe Sleep (produced by Hennepin County, 4:17)
• Sleep On It - Preventing Unsafe Sleep Practices (Produced by Dakota County, 6:28)

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. 

• 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) 

Training verification 
While no specific method of verification is required, you may print and sign the Family Child Care SUID/AHT 'Off-year' Video Training Verification DHS-3803 (PDF) to document that you watched each of the videos to fulfill your 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.  

Develop, the Minnesota quality improvement and registry tool is where child care professionals and parents may register for courses.

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.

Achieve Minnesota Center for Professional Development supports and validates your professional achievements as you advance your career in the childhood care and education field.

Visit the Provider Hub webpage for learning resources designed to help providers prepare to use the Provider Hub.

Minnesota counties perform the major functions related to licensing of family child care programs. County responsibilities include:

• Accepting and processing license applications
• Conducting, inspecting, studying and evaluating family child care license applications
• Recommending to the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families the approval or denial of applications for licensure
• Processing requests for variances from rules
• Monitoring compliance with applicable rules
• Investigating allegations of license violations
• Issuing correction orders
• Recommending forfeiture orders and licensing sanctions
• Enforcing orders of the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families
• Representing the Department of Children, Youth, and Families in contested hearing cases conducted under Minnesota's Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 14)

Licensed family child care providers are required to follow Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 142B 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:

• Licensing of Family Child Care: Rule 2: Minnesota Rules, parts 9502.0300 to 9502.0445
• 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

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 DCYF child care and early education webpage, email dcyf.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 learn throughout their lives. We share your desire to help prepare them for all life has in store. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families does this by partnering with organizations that specialize in helping you at all stages of starting and growing 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 DCYF.  DCYF will consult with your county licensor before replying with an answer to your question.  Your county licensor will be copied on DCYF's response to your question.

All fields are required.

To report suspected fraud:

• Submit the hotline form (recommended)
• Call the hotline at 651-539-8211 (Toll-free 833-454-0155)
• Email your report to OIG.Investigations.DHS@state.mn.us
• Write to the Office of Inspector General, Program Integrity and Oversight Division, PO Box 64982, St. Paul, MN 55164-0982 

Learn more about fraud and how to report it

Ombuds for Family Child Care Providers website