Licensing Inspection Checklist

• 1.Current fire inspection certificate on file and not expired
• 2.Fire extinguishers inspected annually (check tags for dates)
• 3.Smoke detectors installed and tested monthly (document test dates)
• 4.Carbon monoxide detectors installed on every level (5 feet above floor per manufacturer specs)
• 5.Emergency exits clearly marked and unobstructed
• 6.Evacuation routes posted in every classroom and common area
• 7.Electrical outlets covered or tamper-resistant in all child-accessible areas
• 8.Cleaning supplies, chemicals, and medications stored in locked cabinets out of children's reach
• 9.No peeling paint, exposed wiring, or structural hazards
• 10.Water temperature at faucets accessible to children does not exceed 120°F
• 11.Outdoor play area fully enclosed with fence in good repair (most states require minimum 4-foot height)
• 12.Outdoor equipment age-appropriate and free of rust, splinters, sharp edges, entrapment hazards
• 13.Protective surfacing under and around outdoor equipment (rubber mulch, engineered wood fiber, or rubber mats per CPSC guidelines)
• 14.No standing water, poisonous plants, or animal waste in outdoor area
• 15.Swimming pools/water features (if any) fully fenced with self-latching gate, compliant with local pool safety codes
• 16.Furniture, cribs, and equipment meet current CPSC safety standards (check for recalls)
• 17.Interior rooms maintain temperature between 68-75°F with adequate ventilation
• 18.Stairways have gates at top and bottom in areas accessible to toddlers

• 19.Current childcare license posted in a conspicuous location visible to parents
• 20.Evacuation plan/route posted near exit in every room
• 21.Emergency contact numbers posted by every phone (911, poison control 1-800-222-1222, licensing agency)
• 22.Current allergy list posted in every classroom and in the kitchen/food prep area
• 23.Current week's menu posted where parents can see it (required for CACFP)
• 24.Handwashing procedure poster posted at every sink used by children
• 25.Diaper changing procedure posted at every changing station
• 26.Parent notification of pesticide application (where required by state)
• 27."No Smoking" signs posted (as required)
• 28.Mandated reporter notice posted for staff (as required by state)
• 29.Staff-to-child ratio chart posted in each classroom
• 30.Daily attendance sign-in/sign-out sheet accessible to parents at entry

15 items per employee

• 31.Completed application and/or resume on file
• 32.Background check clearance (state criminal, FBI fingerprint, sex offender registry) - verify not expired
• 33.Child abuse/neglect registry clearance
• 34.Current CPR certification (American Heart Association or American Red Cross, infant/child/adult)
• 35.Current First Aid certification
• 36.Proof of age (must meet state minimum age requirement, typically 18 for lead teachers)
• 37.Health clearance/physical exam results (TB test or risk assessment, as required by state)
• 38.Proof of required education or credentials (CDA, associate degree, state-specific qualifications)
• 39.Documentation of pre-service training hours completed before working with children
• 40.Documentation of annual in-service training hours (most states require 15-24 hours annually)
• 41.Signed acknowledgment of behavior guidance/discipline policy
• 42.Signed acknowledgment of mandated reporter obligations
• 43.Signed confidentiality agreement
• 44.Emergency contact information for the employee
• 45.Proof of orientation completion (facility policies, emergency procedures, job responsibilities)

14 items per child

• 46.Completed enrollment/registration form with all required fields
• 47.Current immunization record on file (or valid exemption documentation)
• 48.Emergency contact form with minimum 2 contacts beyond parents, including phone numbers
• 49.Authorized pickup list with names, relationships, and signatures (photo ID noted)
• 50.Signed parent/guardian consent for emergency medical treatment
• 51.Medical action plan for any child with allergies, asthma, seizures, or other conditions (signed by physician)
• 52.Medication administration authorization form (if applicable) with dosage, schedule, physician signature
• 53.Special dietary needs or food allergies documented and communicated to kitchen staff
• 54.Custody documentation (if applicable) - court orders, custody agreements on file
• 55.Photo/media release consent form (signed)
• 56.Signed acknowledgment of receipt of family handbook
• 57.Tuition/fee agreement signed by parent
• 58.Child's physician name, address, and phone number on file
• 59.Transportation authorization (if center provides transportation)

• 60.Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times including transitions, outdoor play, and nap time
• 61.Group size limits not exceeded per state regulations
• 62.Children within sight and sound of a caregiver at all times (direct supervision)
• 63.Age-appropriate materials and equipment in each classroom
• 64.Hazardous items (scissors, small objects, cords) stored out of children's reach
• 65.Cribs/rest mats meet CPSC standards, placed at least 3 feet apart during nap time
• 66.Each child has individual bedding that is washed weekly (or more frequently)
• 67.Infants placed on backs to sleep (per AAP Safe Sleep guidelines)
• 68.Classroom has natural or adequate artificial lighting
• 69.Quiet and active areas separated within classroom
• 70.Children's work and daily schedule displayed at child's eye level
• 71.Transition activities planned to minimize wait times
• 72.Mixed-age groupings (if used) comply with the ratio for the youngest child in the group
• 73.Volunteers and visitors are never left alone with children

• 74.Handwashing occurs before and after: meals, diapering, toileting, handling bodily fluids, outdoor play
• 75.Handwashing posters at every sink describe proper technique (wet, soap, scrub 20 seconds, rinse, dry)
• 76.Diaper changing follows posted 6-step procedure (including gloves, sanitizing surface between changes)
• 77.Diaper changing surface is non-porous and sanitized after each use
• 78.Soiled diapers disposed of in hands-free, lidded container and emptied at least daily
• 79.Toileting areas clean and supplied (toilet paper, soap, paper towels or air dryers)
• 80.Bleach/sanitizer solution mixed fresh daily at correct concentration (1 tbsp bleach per 1 gallon water for sanitizing, or EPA-registered sanitizer)
• 81.Tables and high chair trays sanitized before and after each meal
• 82.Toys mouthed by infants/toddlers sanitized between uses by different children
• 83.Classroom deep-cleaned on a posted schedule (weekly at minimum)
• 84.Ill child exclusion policy enforced (children with fever 100.4°F+, vomiting, diarrhea, or contagious conditions sent home)
• 85.Illness log maintained (date, child name, symptoms, parent notification time, pickup time)
• 86.Medication administration log kept with: child name, medication, dosage, time given, staff initials
• 87.Staff wear gloves when handling bodily fluids, blood, or open wounds
• 88.No sharing of personal items (combs, toothbrushes, cups) between children
• 89.Clean and soiled items separated (dirty laundry in closed containers)

• 90.Food handler permits current for all staff who prepare or serve food (as required by state/county)
• 91.Refrigerator temperature at or below 40°F (temperature log maintained daily)
• 92.Freezer temperature at or below 0°F (temperature log maintained daily)
• 93.Food stored properly: covered, dated, labeled; raw meats stored below ready-to-eat foods
• 94.No expired food items in refrigerator or pantry
• 95.CACFP meal count records completed daily (if participating): date, meal type, number present, number served
• 96.CACFP menus meet meal pattern requirements for each age group served
• 97.Infant feeding plans on file from parents (breast milk/formula, solid food introduction)
• 98.Breast milk labeled with child's name, date, stored properly (separate from formula)
• 99.Known food allergies posted in kitchen and verified before serving each meal
• 100.Kitchen area inaccessible to children unless supervised during cooking activities
• 101.Dishwashing follows proper sanitization procedure (wash, rinse, sanitize, air dry)

• 102.Written emergency plan on file covering: fire, severe weather, lockdown, medical emergency, missing child, utility failure
• 103.Emergency plan reviewed and updated at least annually (date of last review documented)
• 104.All staff trained on emergency procedures (training documented in personnel files)
• 105.Fire drills conducted monthly (log with date, time of day, time to evacuate, number of children, notes)
• 106.Severe weather/tornado drills conducted per state requirements (typically quarterly)
• 107.Lockdown drill conducted at least annually (some states require semi-annually)
• 108.Primary and secondary evacuation sites identified with addresses and walking routes
• 109.Emergency supply kit stocked and checked quarterly (first aid supplies, flashlight, battery radio, water, emergency contact lists, medications, special needs supplies)
• 110.Portable attendance records/emergency contact cards ready for evacuation (grab-and-go binder)
• 111.Parent reunification procedures documented and communicated to families
• 112.Emergency plan addresses accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions
• 113.Communication plan for notifying parents during emergencies (phone tree, text/app notification, backup methods)