Start a Daycare in Connecticut – Licensing – Regulations – Laws

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In Connecticut, child day care center means a program (group of services and activities) of supplementary care for more than twelve related/unrelated children outside their own homes part of the twenty-four hours in one or more days in the week on a regular basis. Child day care centers need to comply with the required standards set by Connecticut state laws and regulations so that the children are safe, healthy and
given the best of care. A child care center cannot operate if it does not merit a license issued by the Department of Public Health.

LICENSE APPLICATION

License means the form of permission issued by the department that authorizes the operation of a child day care center or group day care home. The child day care license application form is provided by the Department. The form must be signed by the operator who must be twenty years of age or older (individual) or by the legal representative of the operator (if the operator is a group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, public or private).

The following are required:

• 1. Notarized original affidavit form supplied by the Department
• 2. Name of the child day care center and contact information
• 3. Name, home address/es and home phone number/s of the operator
  or of the legal representative of the operator
• 4. Fire marshal certificate of approval, written verification
  of compliance with state and local building codes, local zoning requirements and
  local health ordinances
• 5. Licensed capacity (the maximum number of children allowed
  under the license to be in the licensed premises at any one time)
• 6. Ages of children to be taken care of
• 7. The center’s days, hours and months of operation
• 8. Criminal and State Child Abuse Registry check verifications
  required by the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies
• 9. Other documentation that the Commissioner of Public Health
  requires to support the fact that the licensee meets the health, educational and
  social needs of the children who will be enrolled in the child day care center

The complete application must be submitted to the Commissioner at least sixty (60)
days prior to the anticipated date of opening. Commissioner may refuse to grant
a license.

ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE

The Department will issue a six month two year license to the operator in the name
of the child day care center listed on the affidavit if said child day care center
has complied with the state statutes and regulation and the local health codes relevant
to its licensure.

The license shall show:

• 1. The operator
• 2. Location
• 3. Licensed capacity
• 4. Name of the child day care center
• 5. License expiration date
• 6. Services offered by the child day care center.

The license shall be posted in the child day care center at a public conspicuous
place accessible to everyone including parents or guardians alike. No license will
be valid after the expiration date. The Commissioner and the local health director
shall make unannounced inspections or investigations to a licensed child day care
center at least every two years. Failure to comply with requirements, following
a contested case hearing, may result to revocation or suspension of license, imposition
of civil penalty or placing the license on a probationary status.

ADMINISTRATION

The operator is responsible for the overall management and operation of the child
day care center in compliance with state regulations.

Responsibilities include the following:

• 1. Provide and maintain a safely equipped physical plant,
• 2. Offer programs and services to meet the needs of the children,
• 3. Employ staff and substitute staff that meets the standards
  of state statutes for child day care centers
• 4. Submit required qualifications of the head teacher to the
  Commissioner
• 5. Develop and execute a written organizational chart that
  ascertain a clear line of authority
• 6. Define the duties and responsibilities of all staff classifications
  in writing and ensure that is being followed.
• 7. Require new employees to undergo employee orientation and
  make sure to hold annual training on the center’s policies, plans and procedures
  to all current child care staff.
• 8. Manage child behavior by using methods based on developmentally
  appropriate practice and communicate acceptable techniques to all staff. This includes
  techniques that promote positive supervision, redirection and setting clear limits
  that promote self-control, self-discipline and positive self-esteem to children.
  This will be discussed to parents prior to the child’s enrollment and can be reviewed
  during the period the child is enrolled in the center.
• 9. Ensure that children shall not be allowed to experience
  any abuse, neglect or any treatment or punishment that is physical, corporal, humiliating
  or frightening. No physical restrain will be used except for the protection and
  safety of the child. Anyone, including operator and staff, is prohibited from engaging
  in any sexual activity with the day care center children. Operator and staff shall
  report actual or suspected child abuse or neglect or the imminent risk of serious
  harm of any child to the Department of Children and Families.
• 11. Notify the Department, parents and staff of any changes
  in the programs, services, procedures, policies and personnel.
• 12. Implement and annually review specific written policies,
  plans and procedures required by any applicable statutes connected with the provision
  of care to a child receiving child day care services This include, but not limited
  to, daily attendance records for both children and staff, discipline, child abuse
  and neglect (child protection and mandated reporting), unpicked child, medical emergencies
  and illness, fire and weather related emergencies, supervision of children, general
  operating and personnel procedures.
• 13. Operator shall post the following items in a conspicuous
  place, accessible to the public:
• A. License
• B. Current fire marshal certificate
• C. Department complaint procedure
• D. Food service certificate (required by the local director
  of health)
• E. Menus
• F. Emergency plans
• G. No smoking signs at entrances
• H. Most recent Department inspection report posted for thirty
  of the program’s operating days
• I. Radon test results
• 14. Enroll only children for whom the child day care center
  is licensed to provide services
• 15. Comply with all applicable motor vehicle laws when transporting
  children

Parents shall have immediate access to the child day care center during the hours
of operation unless otherwise prohibited by law. The center shall keep on file for
a two year period all inspection reports, the current licensing application and
correspondence related to licensure which shall be available to the parents and
the Department. The operator shall notify parents also if the Department issues
a notice of hearing for the suspension and revocation of the child day care license
and the final decision if one is rendered. Copies of all service contracts or current
agreements with consultants, practitioners and agencies used on a regular or consultative
basis in the delivery of services will be given to the Department as well as any
changes in said contracts or agreements.

STAFFING

A file shall be kept on the licensed child day care center for each employee which
shall include:

• 1. Medical statement verified by a physician, advanced practice
  registered nurse or physician assistant, completed within twelve months before the
  date of employment for new staff and every two years for current staff and upon
  request by the commissioner
• 2. Written report of a negative tuberculin test completed
  within twelve months prior to the date of employment or no evidence of active tuberculosis
  on a chest x-ray
• 3. Documentation of ongoing education development for each
  full or part time program staff person who cares for the child including new employee
  orientation and annual training for current staff on the child day care center
• 4. Disciplinary actions

For each prospective employee the file shall include:

• 1. A completed state and a completed federal fingerprint card
  submitted to the department for a State Police Bureau of Identification and a Federal
  Bureau of Investigation Criminal Records check
• 2. A completed Department approved form with the person’s
  name, address, social security number and date of birth submitted to the Department
  for a check of the State Child Abuse Registry
• 3. Upon request of the department, any information obtained
  concerning substantiated child abuse or neglect records or criminal convictions.

All staff in the child day care center and group day care home shall have the personal
qualities necessary to care for and work with children and relate to adults and
parents.

The operator shall maintain a staff adequate for the number, ages and developmental
needs of the children to be accommodated. Proper staff child ratios shall be maintained
at all times.

Staff Ratios and Maximum Group Size Requirements

When there is a mixed age group, the lower required ratio for the age of the youngest
child shall prevail.

When children are participating in swimming or wading as part of the program, whether
at the facility or on a field trip, the following staff child ratios shall be maintained
at all times:

AGE GROUP	STAFF CHILD RATIO
Infants twelve (12) months of age and younger	At least one (1) program staff person with every child who is in direct physical contact with the child
Toddlers under three (3) years of age	At least one (1) program staff member with every two (2) children
Preschool children three (3) years to five (5) years of age	At least one (1) program staff member with every four (4) children
School-age children	At least one (1) program staff member with every six (6) children

There shall be a qualified program staff member present at least twenty (20) years
of age and certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and a person who holds a current
lifeguard certification. All non-swimmers shall be clearly identified as non-swimmers
in a way that is visually and easily recognized by lifeguards and staff

No child shall be left unsupervised while the children are at the facility, indoors
or outdoors, or on field trips. Group size shall be maintained and not exceed twenty
children

Programs shall have the following staff with qualifications required by state law:

Director	Any director hired or newly designated on or after January 1, 2010 shall have within one (1) year of being hired or designated at least three (3) credits in the administration of early childhood education programs or educational administration from an institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Governors of Higher Education or from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Any person designated as director at a specific facility prior to January 1, 2010 shall not be required to meet such educational requirements for director for the duration of their employment as director at that facility
Head Teacher	Twenty (20) years of age or older High school diploma or equivalency certificate 1080 hours of documented supervised experience over a 9 month span of time, including working with children in a program with these standards or comparable standards in this or another state, which program serves children of the same ages and developmental stages who are served at the child day care center One of the following: A current center-based Child Development Associate Credential issued from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, or twelve (12) credits in early childhood education or child development from an accredited institution of higher education with program approval from the Board of Governors of Higher Education or approval by the Department as a head teacher prior to January 1, 1994 4 year college degree in early childhood education or child development from an accredited institution of higher education with program approval from the Board of Governors of Higher Education 360 hours of documented supervised experience in working with unrelated children of the same age(s) to be served in this child day care center At least one (1) semester of student teaching with children of the same age(s) and developmental stages that are served in the child day care center
Second program staff person	High school diploma or equivalency certificate 540 hours documented experience in working with unrelated children of the same age(s) to be served in this child day care center or group day care home
Other program assistants staff	At least sixteen (16) years of age
Additional program staff	Provide care of children during all hours of operation in keeping with group size and ratio

At all times the child day care center is in operation there shall be present at
least

one staff member who has current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association and one (1) staff
member who has successfully completed within the past three (3) years a Department
approved first aid course.

Continuing education for Professional development for program staff shall be required
for one per cent of the total annual hours worked. Such education may include: early
childhood education and child development, licensing and regulations, health issues,
nutrition, first aid, social services, child abuse laws and programming for children
with disabilities or special health care needs.

Consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented.
These consultants are:

• 1. Early childhood educational consultant
• 2. A physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered
  nurse or registered nurse
• 3. A dentist or dental hygienist
• 4. Social service consultant
• 5. Registered dietitian

RECORD KEEPING

The child day care center operator is responsible for maintaining on the center
a current record for each child enrolled. A current record for each child enrolled
shall be available and provided upon request to the Department, the child’s parent(s)
and the local health director. Specific written permission forms signed by the parent(s)
authorizing

previously selected emergency policies which shall accompany the child on trips
away from the premises, the name and telephone number of one responsible person
other than the parents who can remove the child from the child day care center,
any activity away from the center and transportation services.

General health and immunization records of the child, tuberculosis screening and
information regarding disabilities or special health problems care needs such as
allergies, special dietary needs, dental problems, hearing or visual impairments,
chronic illness, developmental variations or history of contagious disease must
be filed. An individual plan of care for a child with special health care needs
or disabilities developed with the child’s parent(s) and health care provider shall
be signed by the parents and staff responsible for the care of the child.

The facility shall produce and maintain on the premises, for a period of not less
than two years, a written record of all injuries or accidents that result in an
injury to a child or illness of a child enrolled at the facility that occur on or
off site as part of the child day care program.

The licensee shall notify the department the following:

• 1. Death of a child enrolled at the facility, if the child
  died while at the facility, or at a facility sponsored event and any injury of a
  child that occurs while the child is at the facility, or at a facility sponsored
  event that results in the child’s admission to a hospital
• 2. Any disease listed on the commissioner’s list of reportable
  diseases and laboratory findings

The physical examination requirements shall be waived when such examination is contrary
to the religious beliefs and practices of the child or the parent(s) of such child
or when a child has been displaced from their place of residence due to a declared
state of emergency The parents shall certify that he or she accepts complete responsibility
for the health of the child and that, to the best of the parent’s knowledge, the
child is in good health.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• 1. Food service

Transportation of food not prepared on the premises shall satisfy the minimum requirements
of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. A nutritionally adequate meal
as recommended by The United States Department of Agriculture, 7 Code of Federal
Regulations 226.20, as amended, shall be provided by the child day care center.
Children who stay on the premises eight hours or more shall have one meal plus two
nutritious snacks, or two meals plus one nutritious snack. Menus shall be prepared
at least one week in advance posted in a conspicuous place. Changes shall be documented
by the end of the program day. A copy of what was served shall be kept on file for
three months. All areas used for the preparation and serving of meals in child day
care centers shall be maintained in accordance with sanitary practices and procedures.
Children and staff shall wash their hands with soap and water before eating or handling
food.

• 2. In case of illness

Staff members shall be knowledgeable about signs and symptoms of childhood illness
and shall be responsible for the initial observation of each child upon arrival
and continued observation throughout the day for such signs and symptoms. Portable
first aid kits shall be available to staff at all times, including field trips,
and shall be located out of reach of children and maintained in a sanitary condition.

• 3. Immunization requirements

A child seeking must have age-appropriate adequate immunization against diphtheria,
pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus influenzae
type b, hepatitis b if such child was born after December 31, 1993, and varicella
if such child was born after December 31, 1996 and against any other disease for
which vaccination is recommended in the current schedule for active immunization
adopted by the Commissioner. For each enrolled child, the operator shall obtain
from the child’s parent(s) and keep on file at the child day care center a statement
signed and dated by a physician, physician assistant or an advanced practice registered
nurse indicating that the child is current or in progress with immunizations.

PHYSICAL PLANT

Construction, renovation, alteration, expansion, conversion, maintenance and licensure
of child day care centers must meet the standards established by the following:

• 1. State of Connecticut Basic Building Code
• 2. State of Connecticut Fire Safety Code
• 3. State of Connecticut Public Health Code
• 4. Local codes and ordinances

Approval by the Department is required prior to the use of any space that has been
newly constructed, expanded, renovated or converted. All construction, remodeling,
renovation, repairs or alterations of structures shall be done in such a manner
to prevent hazards or unsafe physical or environmental conditions during periods
of operation.

The building, equipment and services shall be maintained in a good state of repair.
A maintenance program shall be established that ensures that the interior, exterior
and grounds of the building are maintained, kept clean and orderly, free from accumulations
of refuse, dampness, stagnant water, dilapidated structures and other health and
safety hazards. Smoking is prohibited in all child day care centers except in designated
smoking areas that are separate, properly ventilated and enclosed away from any
children present at the facility. Each level of the child day care center or group
day care home shall be provided with a telephone in working order located within
the licensed program space accessible to staff for emergency purposes. Emergency
telephone numbers shall be posted in an area adjacent to the phone. Potentially
hazardous substances in the child day care centers shall be stored in a separate
locked area. Garbage and rubbish shall be kept in containers constructed of durable
material approved by the local health director. There must be handrails installed
at a height usable by children. Toxic plants and materials are prohibited in areas
accessible to children. Any pet or animal present at the facility, indoors or outdoors
shall be in good health and procedures for their care and maintenance and access
to the children shall be written and implemented. If the child day care center or
group day care home uses the basement level or the ground first floor of a building,
a minimum of one radon test shall be conducted using a device or service approved
by the United States Environmental Protection Agency radon measurement proficiency
program listed by the National Radon Proficiency Program and approved by the department.

Program space shall provide a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of total indoor
usable program space per child. The total licensed capacity shall be determined
on a room-by-room basis measuring from interior wall to interior wall. Bathrooms,
hallways, kitchen and food service areas, refrigerators, heating and cooling units,
staff desks and storage units, indoor activity room and any space used for other
than the activities of children shall be deducted from the total indoor usable square
footage of program space Outdoor play space shall be a minimum of seventy-five (75)
square feet per child at any one time. The outdoor area shall be fenced or protected
for safety and free from hazards.

Drinking water shall be available and accessible.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Each child day care center and group day care home shall develop and implement a
written plan for the daily program that includes a flexible schedule and shall be
available to the parents and staff. Child day care centers and group day care homes
shall have policies, procedures and activities that meet and enhance the individual
needs of the diverse population of children served, which includes children with
cultural, language and developmental differences.

The plan shall include:

• 1. Indoor and outdoor physical activities
• 2. Problem-solving experiences
• 3. Creative experiences
• 4. Language learning experiences
• 5. Self reliance and self esteem experiences
• 6. Health education experiences that include modeling good
  health practices, sound nutrition and safety awareness.

ADMINITRATION OF MEDICATIONS

Child day care centers that administer medications of any kind shall have written
policies and procedures at the facility governing the administration of medications.
Included are the types of medication that shall be administered, parental responsibilities,
staff responsibilities, proper storage of medication and record keeping. A child
day care center shall not deny services to a child on the basis of a child’s known
or suspected allergy or for injectable equipment used to administer glucagons or
on the basis of a child’s diagnosis of asthma or because a child has a prescription
for an inhalant medication to treat asthma. The written permission in ink of the
parents shall be required prior to the administration of the nonprescription topical
medication and a medication administration kept on file at the facility The parent
shall be notified of any medication administration errors immediately in writing
and the error shall be documented in the record.

Prior to the administration of any medication, the director(s), head teacher(s)
or program staff responsible for administering the medications shall first be trained
by a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse or registered
nurse in the methods of administration of medications and shall receive written
approval from the trainer which indicates that the trainee has successfully completed
a training program as required herein. Said trained and approved staff to administer
medication shall also be present whenever a child who has orders to receive medication
is enrolled and present at the facility. Upon completion of the required training
program, the physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse
or registered nurse who conducted the training shall issue a written approval to
each director, head teacher, program staff or group day care home provider who has
demonstrated successful completion of the required training

The facility shall have staff trained in the administration of inhalant medication
used to treat asthma on site during all hours when a child who has a diagnosis of
asthma and who has a prescription for an inhalant medication to treat asthma is
on-site. Emergent first line of defense medication against an allergic response
to a child with a medically diagnosed condition who may require emergency treatment
must be administered also by a trained staff.

A program staff member currently certified by the State of Connecticut Department
of Developmental Services, formerly the Department of Mental Retardation, to administer
medications shall be considered qualified to administer medications for the modalities
in which they have been trained at child day care centers.

No medication, prescription or nonprescription shall be administered to a child
without the written order of an authorized prescriber and the written permission
of the child’s parents, which shall be on file at the facility for at least two
years after the child is no longer attending the program. The director, head teacher,
program staff or group day care home provider shall administer medication only in
accordance with the written order of the authorized prescriber and shall not administer
the first dose of any medication except in an emergency. Emergent first line of
defense medication against an allergic response shall be stored in a safe manner,
inaccessible to other children, to allow for quick access in an emergency.

Children enrolled at the facility may self administer medications with documented
parental and authorized prescriber’s permission.

A licensed child day care center located within a ten mile radius of the Millstone
Power Station in Waterford, Connecticut shall permit designated staff members to
distribute and administer potassium iodide tablets to adults present or to a child
in attendance at the child day care center during such emergency provided that prior
written consent has been obtained by the child day care center for such provision.
Written consent forms shall be provided to the parents or guardians upon enrollment
and to each new employee upon hire. Each person providing consent has been advised
in writing that the ingestion of potassium iodide is voluntary. Documentation shall
be kept at the facility;

UNDER THREE ENDORSEMENT

A program caring for children under three years of age is required to have a separate
endorsement by the Department. Children from six weeks to three years of age shall
be considered infants and toddlers. There shall be at least one for every four children
or fraction thereof in attendance. Group size shall not exceed eight children. There
shall be a physical barrier separating each group of eight children, indoors and
outdoors. Written statement specifying the formula, breast milk or other liquids
and the feeding schedule for infants shall be obtained from the parents. Each child
day care center shall have equipment and furniture to meet the developmental needs
of the children served.

Infants under twelve months of age shall be placed in a supine (back) position for
sleeping in a well constructed, free standing crib or bed designed for infant sleeping,

The health consultant who is a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice
registered nurse or registered nurse shall visit the program on the days and times
children under the age of three are present and shall be arranged so that all children
under the age of three are observed. The health consultant shall check the maintenance
of health record and first aid kits, evaluate toys and/or equipment safety, observe
diaper the changing area and diaper changing procedures, identify child abuse or
neglect and examine and provide health screening for individual children. Sharing
of supplementary materials, communicating about specific problems, providing consultation
and acting as a resource person to both staff and parents are also part of the tasks.

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ENDORSEMENT

A program providing care for school age children at least five (5) years old attending
elementary or middle school shall have a separate school age children endorsement
by the Department. The program shall provide adequate opportunities for creative,
recreational and restful activities as appropriate to meet the needs of the individual
school age child. There shall be at least one qualified program staff person for
each ten children or fraction thereof. The group size shall not exceed twenty (20)
children.

When a program serves school age children only, the designated head teacher shall
be on site for sixty percent (60%) of the time the child day care center is in operation
on a weekly basis.

NIGHT CARE ENDORSEMENT

The program providing care for one or more hours between the hours of [eight (8)]
ten (10) P.M. and [six (6)] five (5) A.M. shall have a separate night care endorsement
by the Department. There shall be a person on the licensed premises designated as
the person in charge who shall meet the head teacher qualifications. A written plan
for program activities to meet the needs of the individual child (individual sleep
patterns and quiet activities), cot placement and evacuation from the building shall
be required. A child shall not be in care for more than twelve (12) hours in a twenty-four
(24) hour period on a regular basis. All staff persons shall be awake and available
to work with children in care.

There shall be an individual cot or crib with bedding for each child and bunk beds
shall not be used. Sleeping apparel and toiletries shall be individually labeled
and stored. Written approvals from the local fire marshal (specifying the hours
of operation) and local health director for night care must be secured.

DIABETES MONITORING

A staff member designated and trained to administer finger stick blood glucose tests
shall be present at the facility whenever a child diagnosed with diabetes mellitus
is enrolled and present at the facility. The operator shall obtain a signed agreement
from the child’s parent or guardian parent(s) permission to check and maintain the
child’s equipment. The operator shall keep the records with the child’s name, diagnosis
of diabetes mellitus, type of glucose monitoring test, test schedule, specific actions/carbohydrates
when test results fall outside specified ranges, diet requirements and restrictions,
requirements for monitoring the child’s recreational activities and conditions regarding
immediate notification to the parent or guardian and physician and authorization
form signed by the child’s parents or guardian shall be part the child’s medical
record and filed in the facility.

The child’s parent or guardian will be notified daily in writing of the results
of all blood glucose tests and any action taken based on the test results and shall
document it in the child’s medical record.

For queries or general questions concerning child day care licensing regulations
and requirements contact:

Community Based Regulation (CBR) Section

Phone Numbers:

1-860-509-8045
1-800-282-6063

Fax:

1-860-509-7540
1-860-509-7541

Mailing Address:

Connecticut Department of Public Health
Child Day Care Licensing Program
410 Capitol Ave.
MS#12DAC

P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308