Title

Child Care Center Licensing

Intro

Licensed child care centers offer care and early learning in a nonresidential setting, such as a school or dedicated facility. These centers serve groups of children and are staffed by trained professionals who follow the state's health, safety and education standards. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is responsible for licensing child care centers and monitoring them for compliance with licensing requirements.

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Sections

News and updates

Outreach Connection webinar: On July 21, DCYF staff will share information and updates related to licensed child care centers, including legislative changes, the Provider Hub, and other topics. Learn more on the Webinars and Outreach page.

Webinar for new applicants: Child Care Center Licensing is offering an information session on August 11 for individuals interested in applying for a child care center license. The session is intended to support applicants, provide guidance, and offer resources related to applying for a license. Learn more and register on the Webinars and Outreach page.

Child Care Regulation Modernization report published: DCYF has released a legislatively mandated report as part of its multi-year effort to modernize child care licensing. Learn more about the Child Care Regulation Modernization project.

News archive


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Apply for a child care center license

Operating a child care center can be a rich, rewarding experience. There are many things to consider when deciding whether operating a child care center is right for you. DCYF has developed resources to help you understand the application process, pre-licensing visits, and key considerations for the first year of operation. Learn more about applying for a child care center license.


Review licensing standards

Minnesota rules and statutes outline regulations for licensed child care centers, including:

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Resources for providers

Connect with us

 


Project updates

Child Care Regulation Modernization

DCYF has released a legislatively mandated report as part of its multi-year effort to modernize child care licensing. The report outlines proposed licensing standards, highlights key changes from current requirements, and identifies considerations for implementation. Learn more about the Child Care Regulation Modernization project.

Provider Hub

The Provider Hub is the online system to apply for new licenses and manage existing licenses, including requesting changes, adding users and submitting information for the annual licensing review. Visit the Provider Hub webpage to learn how to log in or begin an application in the Provider Hub.


Quick links