Licensed Child Care Providers

As a child care provider, you must be familiar with and compliant with what is commonly referred to as Rule 2 or Minnesota Statute 9502, the state rule for Family Child Care. Other legislation also regulates child care. Much of this legislation is found in Chapters 245A and 245C of the Human Services Licensing Act. The Data Practices Act has bearing on child care. The Department of Health Chapters 4717 and 144 also apply to child care. Minnesota Statutes 626.556 guide the reporting of maltreatment of minors. A brief description follows with links to the specific legislation. 

Parts 9502.0300 Rule 2 or Minnesota Rules – 9502.0445 set licensing standards for family child care and group family child care homes to provide for the protection, proper care, health, safety and development of children enrolled in child care. 

Minnesota Statutes Chapter 245A of the Human Services Licensing Act defines the application process, sanctions and due process. Changes in law are frequently made by the state legislature.
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 245C of the Human Services Licensing Act pertains to the background study laws.

Minnesota State Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshall Child Care Information Sheet. This fire safety information sheet is based upon the 2007 Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC) and 2007 Minnesota State Building Code (MSBC). The requirements outlined in this information sheet apply to Group R-3 (One and Two Family Dwellings) used for licensed child care.

The Data Practices Act or Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13 defines data and guides the handling of that data. 

The Minnesota Department of Health Chapter 4717 establishes the regulations for pool usage.

The Minnesota Department of Health Chapter 144.414, subpart 2 covers smoking prohibitions.

Minnesota Statute 626.556 defines abuse and neglect and covers reporting and investigation laws.

A series of two Orientation meetings are required for anyone wishing to become a licensed family child care provider. See the Orientation Schedule.pdf 

When You Do Not Need to be Licensed

Under Minnesota Statutes Section 245A.03 the following day care situations are excluded from licensure under parts 9502.0315 to 9502.0445:

• Day care provided by a relative to only related children; or
• Day care provided to children from a single, unrelated family, for any length of time; or
• Day care provided for a cumulative total of less than 30 days in any 12-month period

Contact: childcare@stlouiscountymn.gov
 

Child Care Training Resources

Care Courses - An international distance learning school offering terrific distance learning training for early childhood professionals, child care providers and parents. Visit Care Courses...

Child Care Lounge - Participate in child care training when you need it, without leaving the comfort of your own home. Visit Child Care Lounge...

Eager-to-Learn - An innovative, community based, e-learning program of the Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network. Visit Eager to Learn...

Educarer.org - Web pages written with the hope of helping parents, Educarers, and others learn more about the wonderful and magical "World of Infants". Visit Educarer...

Educarer.org – Shaken Baby Syndrome Trainings. View the trainings... 

Healthy Child America – The HCCA program is a collaborative effort of health professionals and child care providers working to improve the early education and health and safety of children in out-of-home child care. Visit Healthy Child America...

Healthy Child America - Free SIDS Training. View the training...
 
MNStreams - Online connection to Child Care Resource & Referral training, grants and opportunities available statewide. Visit MNStreams...

Never Shake a Baby - The Kiwanis Club of Ottawa has produced a video, Never shake a baby! What parents and caregivers need to know. It helps parents and those to whom parents entrust their child’s care cope effectively with the stress of a child’s crying. View the Shaken Baby Syndrome Video (must watch both parts)...

Working Family Resource Center - Provides parents with education and support to help them manage the competing demands of work and family, resulting in healthy families and communities where families can thrive. Visit Working Family Resource Center...
 

Family Child Care Licensing Forms

Background Check Permission form – This form must be filled out for anyone 13 and older residing in the home or working in the program. A $25 fee (up to $100 per licensing period) is required along with this form. 

Child Care Capacity Graph - This graph outlines capacity limits for family and group family child care licenses. 

Child Care Immunization Form - A form for parents of children to complete before admission into the program. This form is kept on file at the family day care home. Form contains current immunization information for each child. Immunization information must be on file before a child attends child care. 

Child Care Information Sheet - This fire safety information sheet is based upon the 2007 Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC), 2007 Minnesota State Building Code (MSBC) and the 2007 International Residential Code (IRC). The requirements outlined in this information sheet apply to Group R-3 (One and Two Family Dwellings) used for licensed child care. The information covers Exits, Approved Escape Windows, Window Wells, Stairs and Protection of Openings, Smoke Alarms, Fire Extinquishers, etc. 

Child Care Insurance Coverage Statement - The Minnesota Rule governing family child care indicates that “A provider shall have a certificate of insurance for the residence for general liability coverage for bodily injury in the amount of at least $100,000 per person and $250,000 per occurrence: if the provider has …lesser limits or no liability coverage, the provider shall give written notice…to parents…”

Child Care Policy - SAMPLE

Family Child Care Licensing Checklist - State of Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Licensing Family Systems Family Child Care Licensing Checklist MN Rules, Part 9502.0315 - 9502.0445 

Family Child Care Variance Brochure - These are some important guidelines licensing staff will use when evaluating a request for a variance submitted by a license holder.

Family Child Care Variance Request - This is the form licensed providers can use to submit a request for a variance of the licensing rule.

Family Day Care Admissions and Arrangements - A form for parents of children in licensed family day care to complete before admission into the program. The form is kept on file at the family day care home. This form contains information a provider would need in case of an emergency.

Family Day Care Provider Training Record - This form summarizes training requirements and provides a place for providers to list the training they have attended.

Family Systems Application - The Family Systems Application Form is an application form for a license to provide family day care, adult foster care, family adult day services and for adult foster care alternate overnight supervision technology. 

Fire & Storm Drill Record form - Use this form to record your Annual Fire and Storm Drills

Floor and Escape Plan - A form for providers of licensed family child care providers to draw a floor plan of their home and designate emergency information. 

Freedom to Breathe in Family Day Care - How Minnesota's Freedom to Breathe Provisions apply to Family Home and Group Family Day Care Providers. 

Monthly Crib Inspection Safety Form - This form is to be used by licensed child care providers for monthly crib inspections and yearly recall checks.

Permission to Administer Over the Counter Medications 

Permission to Administer Perscription Medications

Request for Fire Inspection - This form is used by family day care, group family day care, child foster care and child care center providers licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to request a fire inspection from the State Fire Marshal's Office and-or your local fire department.  

Safe Infant Sleep in Child Care - A Sample Policy for use in Child Care. 

Wading Pool Fact Sheet - Risks of Wading Pools at Child Care homes.

Wading Pool Permission form - A letter form from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to parents of children in licensed child care asking them to grant or deny permission for their child children to use a wading pool. 

Weather Watch - Useful information about Heat Index & Wind Chill

Contact information: childcare@stlouiscountymn.gov