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Licensed Operations

CCL routinely monitors and inspects licensed operations. Licensed operations must follow specific minimum standards and they must complete an overview of regulation before they apply and pass background checks. CCL issues a license only after inspecting the operation to ensure the applicant meets minimum standards. CCL also inspects licensed operations at least once a year or more often if there is a report of child abuse or neglect or violations of licensing laws, rules, or standards. Some licensed operations provide daycare and others provide 24-hour residential childcare.

Daycare:

  • Licensed childcare homes (group daycare homes) provide daycare in the caregiver's home for 7-12 children under 14 years old for at least two hours a day, three or more days a week.
  • Childcare centers (daycare centers) care for 13 or more children (under 14 years old) for less than 24 hours, at least two hours a day, three or more days a week.
  • Before and after-school programs provide care before or after school and on holidays for at least two hours a day, three days a week, to children in pre-kindergarten through 6th grade.
  • School-age programssupervise children in pre-kindergarten through 6th grade and teach recreational skills or provide other training before or after school for at least two hours a day, three or more days a week. A school-age program may also operate during holidays or any other time when school is not in session.

24-Hour Residential Child Care:

  • A child-placing agencyis a business that places or plans to place children in foster or adoptive homes that it approves and monitors.
  • Foster family homes provide around-the-clock care for six or fewer children under 18 years old. Child-placing agencies screen and approve (verify) foster family homes.
  • Foster group homesprovide around-the-clock care for seven to 12 children under 18 years old. Under state law, child-placing agencies can no longer approve (verify) new foster group homes.
  • General residential operations, which include residential treatment centers,provide around-the-clock care for 13 or more children under 18 years old. They may provide various treatment services, emergency care services, or therapeutic camps.