A daycare license in Oregon is issued by Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 6 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual certification renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
Parents fill it out on their phone · free · no card
Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →Oregon childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), a standalone agency established in 2023. Any center serving 4 or more children must be certified. SB 1583 (2024/2025) significantly expanded Oregon's Childcare Business Navigator program and created a new Early Learning Hub grant system improving access in rural and tribal communities.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1:4 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months) | 1:4 |
| 2 years | 1:4 |
| Preschool (3–4 years) | 1:10 |
| 4–5 years | 1:10 |
| School age | 1:15 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC)'s rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Oregon DELC
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Oregon Health Authority schedule required on file.
Health Assessment
Physician-signed health assessment 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: Oregon DELC
Exemption Policy
Medical exemptions only. Oregon eliminated non-medical exemptions for child care in 2019.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Oregon DELC
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
Oregon criminal background check and ORCHARDS child abuse registry check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework required for lead teachers. DELC may require specific Oregon Registry credentials.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service orientation required.
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 DELC for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director must meet DELC education and experience requirements. Oregon Registry Step 6 or higher recommended.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Oregon DELC
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual certification renewal required.
Application Process
Contact Oregon DELC to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact DELC for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Oregon DELC
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Oregon DELC
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 Pacific states.
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.