The one thing that's the same everywhere
Ratios and space vary by state, but two things do not: the federal CCDF comprehensive background check and the health-and-safety topic list. They apply to every licensed or regulated provider, and to every provider that receives child-care subsidy. Build to them from day one.
The comprehensive background check
Every child-care staff member, anyone paid, and anyone with care, supervision or unsupervised access, must clear the full 45 CFR 98.43 check, with eight components:
- An FBI fingerprint check.
- A National Crime Information Center (NCIC) National Sex Offender Registry search.
- In-state criminal registry (with fingerprints), sex-offender registry, and child-abuse-and-neglect registry checks.
- The same three state checks in every state lived in during the past five years.
In a family child care home, this applies to every adult (18+) who lives there. Results are due within 45 days, and checks repeat at least every five years. A new hire may start only after one qualifying fingerprint result, and must be supervised until fully cleared. Registered sex offenders and people with certain violent or child-related felonies are disqualified.
Health-and-safety topics
Federal rule 45 CFR 98.41 sets the topics every program must address, in policy and in staff training:
- Infectious-disease control and immunizations.
- Safe sleep and SIDS prevention (critical for infant programs).
- Medication administration; food-allergy prevention and response.
- Premises safety, including hazards, bodies of water and vehicle traffic.
- Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma.
- Emergency preparedness (evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place, lockdown, drills, family reunification).
- Hazardous-materials handling; safe transportation.
- Pediatric first aid and CPR.
- Recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect.
The other federal rules
Three more federal rules apply across every model:
- ADA: centers and homes are public accommodations and must make reasonable modifications for children with disabilities; a child cannot be excluded because of a disability.
- IDEA: early-intervention (birth–3) and preschool special-education (3–5) services can be delivered in child-care settings; coordinate with local Child Find.
- FLSA & mandated reporting: child-care staff are generally owed minimum wage and overtime, and are mandated reporters of suspected abuse and neglect under state law.
Related resources
Next: Facilities & enrollment. See also Ratios & staffing and Special Education.
Frequently asked questions
- What background check do child care workers need? The federal CCDF comprehensive check (45 CFR 98.43): an FBI fingerprint check, a national sex-offender registry search, and in-state criminal, sex-offender and child-abuse registry checks, plus the same in any state lived in over the past five years.
- Who needs a background check in a home daycare? Every adult aged 18 or older who lives in the home, in addition to the provider and any assistants. This is a federal requirement for family child care.
- How often are child care background checks repeated? At least once every five years. Results on a new check are due within 45 days, and a new hire may start only after one qualifying fingerprint result, supervised until fully cleared.
- What health and safety topics must a child care program cover? The CCDF list: infectious disease and immunizations, safe sleep, medication, food allergies, premises safety, abusive head trauma prevention, emergency preparedness, hazardous materials, transportation, first aid/CPR, and abuse recognition and reporting.
- Does the ADA apply to child care? Yes. Child care centers and family child care homes are public accommodations under the ADA and must make reasonable modifications for children with disabilities; a child cannot be turned away because of a disability.