Directors of child care centers want to ensure they are providing the best possible setting for children’s growth and operating in compliance with licensing regulations. Through this resource, we want to answer new directors’ most common questions about working with licensing and provide links to current resources that will keep you informed.

The mission of Community Care Licensing is to promote the health, safety, and quality of life of each person in community care through the administration of an effective collaborative regulatory enforcement system. ACSI supports the work of licensing and upholds health and safety standards as identified in the regulations.

As a director you play an active role in advocating for children’s needs in the child care environment. The more familiar you are with the policies and process of the licensing agency, the more confident you will be in working with the Licensing Program Analyst assigned to your center.

How often will I be visited by licensing? When might an unannounced licensing visit occur?

Community Care Licensing is required to inspect each child care center at least once every five years. Additionally, twenty percent of child care facilities are randomly designated to receive annual inspection visits. Licensing is also required to visit your center within ten days after receiving a complaint alleging that regulations are being violated.

How can I prepare for a licensing visit?

If you’ve not had a facility inspection for several years or you are new to your center it is a good idea to self-assess your program. This will give you assurance that you are operating within guidelines and increase your familiarity with the requirements that apply to your program. Community Care Licensing has developed Self-Assessment Guides for this very purpose.

This next form is another tool to help you prepare for your next licensing visit. It includes lists of requirements for children’s records, personnel records, administrative records and documents that must be posted in your facility.

On the last page of this form there is a list of each of the form titles and form numbers for licensed child care centers. This list can be a helpful reference for finding the forms you need on the licensing website. ACSI encourages all directors to proactively prepare for the on-site visit and regularly assess compliance with licensing regulations.

What will happen on the visit?

The Licensing Analyst will tour every area of your facility, and may interview children and staff as needed. There will be a review of your records, as well. One of the best ways to know what to expect on a licensing visit is to review the guidance that Community Care Licensing gives to the Licensing Analysts for conducting the visit. Comprehensive Evaluation Tool

What if we are cited for a deficiency as a result of the facility evaluation?

The Licensing Analyst will conduct an exit interview with you at the conclusion of the visit. At that time any citations will be explained to you. The Analyst will inform you which regulation the citation references and whether the violation is determined to be Type A or Type B. The analyst should be able to explain the reasoning behind the classification of a violation. You will be asked to collaborate in developing a Plan of Correction for identified deficiencies.

For a better understanding of how violations are typically classified, see pages 4-8 for descriptions of the type of citations that would generally be determined Type A, Type B, or Type C violations.

What if I disagree with the determination of the Licensing Analyst?

It is important that you are informed regarding your provider rights. As a licensed child care provider, you have the right to file an appeal with the licensing agency. The appeal must be filed within 10 working days of having received the citation. The appeal procedures are discussed in the following form:(Still under construction. Please check back.)