Health and Safety Requirements

Federal law requires states and territories to ensure that all licensed child care programs meet minimum health and safety requirements to operate. Here are some of those health and safety requirements:

• Sanitation requirements help stop the spread of germs and include handwashing, diapering, toileting, and general cleaning.
• Healthy practice requirements keep children physically active and support rest, including infant safe-sleep practices.
• Children’s health requirements include physicals, immunizations, and how the program must handle sick children and store and give medication.
• Program staff health requirements include physicals, tuberculosis testing, drug screening, and required vaccinations.
• Building safety requirements include inspections to make sure the building structure, outdoor play space, and playgrounds are safe, meet fire safety codes, and are free of hazards that could hurt children.
• Emergency planning requirements ensure programs are prepared to keep children safe during an emergency.

Learn how your state or territory manages child care licensing by selecting your state or territory and reviewing the “Understanding and Finding Child Care Resources” page.