Maine childcare licensing is administered by Children's Licensing and Investigation Services within the Department of Health and Human Services. LD 202 (2025/2026) expanded the definition of unlicensed care to 3 unrelated children (4 if siblings), raising the threshold before licensing is required. Mixed age groups must use the ratio for the youngest child in the group.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0–12 months) | 1:4 | — |
| Toddlers (13–30 months) | 1:5 | — |
| Preschool (2.5–3 years) | 1:8 | — |
| 3–5 years | 1:10 | — |
| School age | 1:10 | — |
Child Health Assessment
Required within 30 days of admission from a licensed healthcare provider.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records updated annually required on file.
Emergency Contact Card
Medical contacts and authorized pickup authorization required for all enrolled children.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Enrollment/Admission Form
Complete enrollment documentation with parent/guardian information.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention for current exemption procedures.
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
High school diploma or GED required. Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework strongly recommended.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Must complete 6 hours of pre-licensing training before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Contact Maine DHHS for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by Maine DHHS. Contact the licensing office for current standards.
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact Maine DHHS Children's Licensing and Investigation Services to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact Maine DHHS for current fee schedule.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
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