A daycare license in Minnesota is issued by Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Care and Early Learning, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 5 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Care and Early Learning requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Care and Early Learning. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
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See a ready-made enrollment packet →Minnesota childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Human Services. Centers serving 6 or more children must be licensed. HF 1 (2025 Omnibus) significantly increased CCAP reimbursement rates and created the Great Start Compensation Support program providing wage supplements to child care workers, effective January 2026.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1:4 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months) | 1:4 |
| 2 years | 1:7 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | 1:10 |
| School age (6+ years) | 1:15 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Care and Early Learning's rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Minnesota DHS Child Care and Early Learning
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and parent/guardian contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Minnesota Department of Health schedule required on file.
Medical/Health Assessment
Health and development screening documentation required within 30 days of enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Minnesota DHS Child Care and Early Learning
Exemption Policy
Medical and philosophical (conscientious) exemptions are permitted. Contact the Minnesota Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Minnesota DHS Child Care and Early Learning
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
DHS background study required for all staff, volunteers, and household members for family child care.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or 12 credits in ECE or child development required for lead teachers.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Must complete DHS orientation 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
16 hours of professional development annually required for all staff.
Director Qualifications
Director must hold a Child Development Associate credential or degree in ECE, plus relevant supervisory experience.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Minnesota DHS Child Care and Early Learning
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact DHS Child Care and Early Learning or county licensing office to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact DHS for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Minnesota DHS Child Care and Early Learning
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Minnesota DHS Child Care and Early Learning
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the Upper Midwest.
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.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.