Reviewed November 2026 A.A.C. R9-5-404(A), effective August 2025 · view rule A.A.C. R9-5-404(A) (PDF) A.A.C. R9-5-306(A), effective August 2025 · view rule A.A.C. R9-5-306(A) (PDF)
The Arizona Department of Health Services' Bureau of Child Care Licensing licenses child care centers (5 or more children) under A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 7.1 and 9 A.A.C. 5, and certifies child care group homes caring for 5 to 10 children in the provider's home under 9 A.A.C. 3. New center rules took effect August 3, 2025, raising annual training to 24 hours and widening the monthly unannounced drill to cover relocation, shelter-in-place and lockdown as well as evacuation. Caring for 4 or fewer children needs no state license; the Department of Economic Security certifies those homes only if they want to be paid with child care assistance.
Licensing agency: Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing; family child care homes that take subsidy are certified by the Department of Economic Security (DES) · public license lookup
Inspection findings public? Yes, the state publishes licensing inspection results.
License types
- Child care center / child care facility (5 or more children for pay, including public school programs and school-age out-of-school-time programs); ADHS license — 9 A.A.C. 5 (R9-5-101 et seq.); A.R.S. §§ 36-881 to 36-895
- Child care group home (5 to 10 children in the provider's residence); ADHS certificate — 9 A.A.C. 3 (R9-3-101 et seq.); A.R.S. §§ 36-897 to 36-897.13
- DES-certified family child care home (up to 4 children for pay, paid with child care assistance) — 6 A.A.C. 5, Article 52 (R6-5-5201 to R6-5-5225); A.R.S. §§ 46-801, 46-807
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Recent changes (2024-2026)
Arizona rewrote its child care center rules in 2025. Group home and DES family home rules have not changed, but ADHS is drafting new group home rules and a second, smaller round of center amendments.
New center rules took effect August 3, 2025
ADHS's regular rulemaking for child care facilities (Notice of Final Rulemaking, 31 A.A.R. 2015) took effect August 3, 2025. Highlights from ADHS: tuberculosis self-screening form instead of a skin test (R9-5-301(F)); a suspension and expulsion policy in the statement of services (R9-5-302(A)(19)); a shorter Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record of no more than two pages, now with the parent's email (R9-5-304(B)); attendance signed by parent or staff 'signature or other unique identifier' (R9-5-306(A)); new staff titles 'child educator' and 'assistant child educator' (R9-5-401); safe sleep, tummy time and abusive head trauma added to new-staff training (R9-5-403(A)); annual training raised from 18 to 24 hours (R9-5-403(B)); the monthly unannounced fire and evacuation drill widened to evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place and lockdown drills (R9-5-301(I)); cribs with only a fitted sheet (R9-5-502(A)(8)); 'Positive Discipline and Guidance' (R9-5-510); and a separate Article 7 for school-age out-of-school-time programs. Staff-to-child ratios did not change.
Out-of-school-time programs: one entry/exit roster
HB 2066, signed April 8, 2025: an out-of-school-time program that chooses to be licensed does not have to keep a roster for each room or activity area if it keeps a roster of school-age children on entry to and exit from the facility and designated staff supervise each cohort when it moves between areas.
Annual licensing fees are back
Licenses and group home certificates now run on a one-year cycle (since July 2022), and the $1 federally funded fee period ended June 30, 2024. Since July 1, 2024 the annual fee is $330 for 5 to 10 children, $1,330 for 11 to 59 and $2,575 for 60 or more; group homes pay $330. A license or certificate becomes invalid if the fee is not paid. ADHS's February 2026 newsletter mentions a one-time discount available until September 30, 2026.
Proposed: second round of center amendments (not in effect)
ADHS is running an expedited rulemaking on the center rules. The September 2026 draft (last revised August 26, 2026) would let facilities stock glucagon under A.R.S. § 15-344.01, change the fingerprint card and background check renewal cycle in R9-5-203 from five to six years, update milk rules (whole milk for 12 to 23 months; unflavored whole, 2%, 1% or fat-free for ages 2 to 5; flavored allowed from age 6) and fix cross-references. It is a draft, not a rule.
Proposed: rewrite of the child care group home rules
ADHS opened a rulemaking on the group home rules after its 2024 five-year review and has posted drafts in July 2025, August/September 2025, October 2025 and July/August 2026 (survey closed August 23, 2026). Until a final rule is published, the existing 9 A.A.C. 3 applies; ADHS confirmed in August 2025 that group homes still need a tuberculosis test, not the centers' self-screening form.
Who needs a license, and from whom
Arizona has three tiers. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing, LICENSES child care centers ("child care facilities", including public school programs and out-of-school-time programs) under A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 7.1, Article 1 and 9 A.A.C. 5, and CERTIFIES child care group homes (5 to 10 children in the provider's home) under Article 4 and 9 A.A.C. 3. The Department of Economic Security (DES) certifies family child care homes caring for up to 4 children, but only for providers who want to be paid with state child care assistance (6 A.A.C. 5, Article 52). Caring for 4 or fewer unrelated children for pay without subsidy needs no state license or certificate. On this page, "Group child care homes" means ADHS-certified group homes and "Family child care" means DES-certified homes.
Child care centers ("child care facilities")
Any facility that regularly provides child care for pay to 5 or more children not related to the proprietor, for less than 24 hours a day, must be licensed by ADHS before it receives any child. "Child" means through age 14 (to 18 for some children with disabilities). ADHS inspects before the first license and issues it when the facility is in substantial compliance and agrees to a correction plan.
Child care group homes (5 to 10 children)
A child care group home is a residence where child care is regularly provided for pay to at least 5 and no more than 10 children through age 12. It must be certified by ADHS. The provider's own children are not counted for certification, but no more than 10 children may be in care for pay and no more than 15 children in total, counting children related to the provider.
DES-certified family child care homes (up to 4 children)
DES certifies an adult (18 or older) to care for 4 or fewer children for compensation with state child care assistance money. A certified home may have up to 6 children in total (from birth through age 12, or older with special needs) if no more than 4 are in care for pay and no more than 2 are under age 1, unless they are siblings. DES certificates last 3 years (R6-5-5206). Certification is tied to the subsidy program; it is not a general license.
Who is exempt
Exempt from ADHS licensing: care in the homes of the child's parents (and, for centers, of blood relatives); church nurseries during services; public school units during the school day; private schools during school hours; single-subject lessons (dance, music, martial arts, religion); drop-in recreation where school-age children come and go on their own (must post that it is not licensed); and, for centers only, short core-subject instruction for ages 3 to 6 (no more than 2 1/4 hours a day, 3 days a week) and accredited day camps under 10 weeks a year for ages 5 and up, both with fingerprinted staff.
Service classifications on the license
ADHS lists each service a center may provide on the license: full-day, part-day, evening and nighttime, infant, one-year-old, two-year-old, three- to five-year-old, school-age out-of-school-time, and weekend care. A center may not care for an age group or schedule it is not licensed for, and must apply to add one.
Annual fees, changes and new owners
There is no fixed expiry: the license or certificate stays valid while the annual fee is paid (within 60 days before the anniversary date, or half then and the rest within 120 days). Changes in capacity, space or services need written ADHS approval requested 30 days ahead. A new owner or a new location needs a new license or certificate. ADHS may issue a provisional license of up to 6 months.
Staff-to-child ratios
Centers use age-based ratios in R9-5-404, unchanged in the 2025 rewrite. Group homes use a two-adult rule set by statute. DES family homes are limited by total numbers, not ratios by age.
Center ratios by age
At all times: infants 1:5 or 2:11; one-year-olds 1:6 or 2:13; two-year-olds 1:8; three-year-olds 1:13; four-year-olds 1:15; five-year-olds not yet in school 1:20; school-age children 1:20. An infant is a child 12 months or younger, or up to 18 months if not yet walking.
SafePass tip: SafePass shows a live count for each room: children checked in against staff clocked in, with an alert to directors when a room goes over ratio. Set each room's ratio to Arizona's number. SafePass's built-in defaults (infants 1:4, toddlers 1:6, two-year-olds 1:8, school-age 1:15) are equal to or tighter than Arizona's for those ages, so they will raise extra alerts rather than miss an Arizona violation. SafePass does not apply the youngest-child rule for mixed rooms, the 2:11 and 2:13 options, or the second-adult rule for you.
Who counts, mixed ages and minimum staffing
The ratio for a mixed group is set by the youngest child. Only a director, child educator or assistant child educator counts toward ratio; aides and student-aides do not. With 6 or more children in the building, a director or director's designee plus one more staff member must be present; with 5 or fewer, a second staff member must be able to arrive within 15 minutes. Once 6 or more children are present, infants may not be grouped with older children. Staff counted in ratio may not take on duties that pull them away from the children.
Infants resting on floor beds: 1:4
Centers that use floor bedding for infants (allowed for programs with a documented least-restrictive-environment philosophy, with 30 days' notice to ADHS) must keep at least 1 staff member for every 4 resting infants in the resting area.
Group homes: second adult at 6 or more
One qualified adult may care for up to 5 enrolled children. When 6 to 10 enrolled children are present, at least two adults must be on the premises: the provider (or a qualified substitute) plus one more adult staff member. Group home rules have no separate ratios by age.
SafePass tip: SafePass Kiosk check-ins give a running count of who is in care. Add your own children as enrolled children if you want them in the 15-child total. SafePass does not apply the second-adult-at-6 rule for you.
DES family homes: 4 for pay, 6 in total
No more than 4 children in care for compensation; up to 6 in total only if no more than 2 are under age 1 (unless a sibling group). DES may set a lower limit if more than two of the provider's own children are counted, the home is too small, or the provider asks for fewer. Children 13 and older are not counted unless they have special needs.
Group size and space
Arizona does not set a maximum group size for centers. Capacity comes from square footage and the ratios, and each room's capacity is posted.
Center indoor and outdoor space
At least 35 square feet of indoor activity space per infant or one-year-old (and per child in any room that mixes one-year-olds with older children) and 25 square feet per older child, not counting kitchens, bathrooms, halls, offices, storage, staff desks and cabinets. Outdoor (or approved indoor) large-muscle space of 75 square feet per child for at least half the licensed capacity, unless children are in care for less than 4 hours in a row. Each room's licensed capacity must be posted in the room.
Group home space
At least 30 square feet of indoor child care space per enrolled child (not counting kitchen, bathroom, laundry, workshop, hallway or unconverted garage), one toilet and sink for up to 10 children not in diapers, two exits to the outside and an outdoor activity area.
Staff qualifications
The 2025 center rules renamed 'teacher-caregiver' to 'child educator' and 'assistant teacher-caregiver' to 'assistant child educator'.
Center director and director's designee
Director: 21 or older with one of four pathways, for example 24 months of child care experience plus a high school diploma plus 6 credit hours in early childhood (or 60 hours of early childhood instruction and 12 hours in program administration); 18 months plus a CDA, NAC or CCP credential or 24 college credits (6 in early childhood); 6 months plus an early childhood associate degree; or 3 months plus a bachelor's in early childhood. The designee who acts when the director is out is 21 or older with lighter requirements (for example 12 months' experience, a diploma and 3 credit hours or 30 hours of instruction).
SafePass tip: SafePass staff profiles store certifications and documents with expiration dates, so diplomas, transcripts, CDA certificates and CPR cards are in one place for the ADHS compliance officer.
Child educators, assistants, aides and volunteers
Child educator: 18 or older, with 6 months of child care experience (3 months for school-age programs) plus a high school diploma or 12 college credits (6 in early childhood), or an early childhood associate or bachelor's degree, or a CDA, NAC or CCP credential. Assistant child educator: 16 or older and in high school, a graduate, in vocational rehabilitation, or with 12 months in a licensed center. Child educator aides are 16 or older; volunteers 15 or older. Each staff member who does not qualify as a child educator is supervised by one.
Group home provider and substitute
The provider must live in the home, be 21 or older, have a high school diploma or higher, and have 3 credit hours (or 60 training hours) in child development, nutrition, psychology or early childhood, or 12 months of child care experience, and must complete ADHS orientation. Other staff must be 16 or older. When the provider is away, the adult in charge needs a diploma plus 6 months' experience, 2 credit hours or 30 training hours.
DES family home provider
The applicant must be 18 or older, name one or more backup providers (an adult, or a licensed center or certified home), give three non-relative references and a health self-statement, and complete DES orientation and interviews.
Background checks and fingerprint clearance cards
Arizona uses two checks: a Level I fingerprint clearance card from the Department of Public Safety (A.R.S. § 41-1758.07) and a separate federal-style background check run through DES's Centralized Background Check (A.R.S. § 46-811).
Centers: card and background check before day one
Every staff member and volunteer signs the criminal history attestation and gives the center a copy (front and back) of a valid Level I fingerprint clearance card before starting, plus the background check document issued under A.R.S. § 46-811. If the card was issued earlier, the center must confirm with DPS that it is still valid and document the call. Staff who turn 18 have 30 days to provide both. Anyone denied a card, found ineligible, a parent of an adjudicated dependent child, or with a revoked child care license elsewhere may not work. Centers must also make documented good-faith contact with previous employers.
SafePass tip: SafePass stores each staff member's background check date and flags checks more than five years old on the Compliance page. It is not connected to DPS or the DES Centralized Background Check, so keep the card copies and clearance documents on file.
Renewals
Cardholders must submit new fingerprints every six years to keep the card, and centers must keep a copy of each renewed card. The current center rule says to collect renewed cards and background check documents 'every five years'; ADHS's September 2026 draft would change both to six. Keep whichever renewal arrives first on file.
Group homes: staff and adult residents
Every staff member AND every adult who lives in the home needs a valid fingerprint clearance card before starting or moving in, and a DES background check document within 10 days of starting, renewed every five years. Residents who turn 18 have 30 days.
DES family homes
Providers, backup providers and child care personnel are fingerprinted, and DES runs a Child Protective Services central registry check on the applicant, household members, adult children living elsewhere and backup providers before certifying.
Training
Centers must provide orientation within 10 days and 24 hours of training a year since August 2025 (up from 18). Group homes need 12 hours a year; DES homes 6.
Center new-staff training within 10 days
Within 10 calendar days of starting, every staff member who cares for children completes training on 20 topics, including each child's needs and allergies, hand washing, diapering, food and formula handling, signs of illness, child abuse reporting, emergencies, sun safety, outdoor safety, transportation and field trips, and (new in 2025) tummy time, safe sleep and SIDS prevention, and prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma. The director signs and dates the record.
SafePass tip: SafePass tracks each staff certification's expiration date. Staff get a reminder 30 days out, and directors are alerted when one expires.
Center annual training: 24 hours
Every staff member who provides care completes 24 or more clock hours every 12 months in at least two listed topics (child development, health and safety, administration, community resources). Within that: 12 hours of child development in the first year for staff with under 12 months' experience (6 hours a year after); 6 hours on infant development and safe sleep for infant staff; 6 hours of administration for directors; and school-age child educators complete 6 of the 24 hours within their first 3 months.
Center first aid and CPR
A staff member with current adult and pediatric first aid and CPR certification (CPR with a hands-on demonstration) must be on the premises at all times, on every field trip and in every vehicle carrying children. Keep a copy of each card.
Group home training
New staff complete 14 orientation topics (including SIDS awareness where infants or one-year-olds are cared for) within 10 days. Each staff member completes 12 or more actual hours of training every 12 months in at least two listed areas. A staff member with current infant and child first aid and CPR must be present whenever children are in care or on a trip (R9-3-301(I)).
DES family home training
Within 60 days of certification, the provider and individual backup providers show first aid and infant/child CPR from a course following American Red Cross or American Heart Association guidelines, and keep it current. Certified providers complete at least 6 hours of training each calendar year and send DES proof annually.
Health and safety
Supervision, illness exclusion and reporting rules for all ADHS-regulated programs.
Supervision at all times
Centers and group homes: a staff member supervises each enrolled child at all times. DES homes: the provider directly supervises each awake child and can hear and reach each sleeping child, and may not take other work or activities that interfere.
SafePass tip: SafePass shows which children are checked in to each room right now, so a headcount can be compared against the list at any moment.
Tuberculosis screening
Centers: since August 2025 each staff member turns in ADHS's tuberculosis self-screening form by the first day and follows any recommendation for further testing. Group homes: each staff member and each resident 12 or older still needs a negative Mantoux skin test or CDC-recommended test from the past 12 months (or a clinician's statement if previously positive).
Illness, exclusion and communicable disease notice
A child who shows signs of illness or infestation is separated and the parent is called to pick up; the call is documented and kept 12 months. Sick staff are excluded until well or cleared. For a reportable communicable disease, centers give written notice to staff, parents and the local health department within 24 hours and post a dated notice at the entrance.
SafePass tip: SafePass can run an optional health check at check-in (temperature and symptoms) and notifies directors and parents when a child doesn't pass. The 24-hour health department notice is still up to you.
Injuries, deaths and notifying ADHS
Centers: if a child's accident or injury needs medical treatment, notify the parent AND ADHS immediately, and document what happened and when the parent was told (kept 12 months after the child leaves). Group homes: notify the parent's designated contact within 30 minutes. Both must tell ADHS within 24 hours of a child's death during care.
SafePass tip: SafePass incident reports record what happened, the action taken and first aid, notify the parent, and capture the parent's e-signature. Calling ADHS is still up to you.
Reporting suspected abuse or neglect
Staff report suspected abuse or neglect to the Department of Child Safety or law enforcement and send written documentation within 3 calendar days; suspected abuse by a staff member is also reported to ADHS. Keep the documentation 12 months.
Alcohol, drugs, firearms and smoking
No alcohol, misused controlled substances or firearms on center premises or in vehicles while children are present, no marijuana anywhere in a facility, and no smoking or vaping except in designated areas away from children (never on trips or in vehicles).
Facility, equipment and hazards
Arizona has no rule requiring furniture or shelving to be anchored to the wall. Centers fall under a general duty to keep premises free from hazards (R9-5-501(A)(12)); group homes must anchor blind and curtain cords or keep them out of reach.
Center hazards and storage
Premises, toys and equipment are kept free from hazards. Rooms stay between 68 and 82 degrees F. Toxic or flammable materials, products with child warning labels, lawn mowers, ladders, plungers, garden tools and cleaning supplies are stored where children cannot reach them, away from food.
Center playgrounds
Outdoor areas are enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet high, secured to the ground, with gaps no wider than 4 inches; gates stay closed while children are outside; areas are free from hazards; swings and climbers have unitary surfacing or at least 6 inches of loose sand or wood chips in fall zones (never bare asphalt or concrete); fall zones do not overlap; and shade is provided. Children may not cross a driveway or parking lot to reach a playground without ADHS approval.
Center fire safety
2A-10-BC fire extinguisher in the kitchen, serviced yearly and tagged; exits unlocked and clear; no extension cords or open-flame or portable heaters; unused outlets covered (except school-age rooms); fans mounted out of reach; smoke detectors in each activity area and the kitchen, tested monthly; sprinklers (if required) tested quarterly. Glass within 36 inches of the floor is safety glass or shielded. Keep test records 12 months.
Gas and fire inspections
Before licensing, a local fire department inspection and, if gas pipes run on the premises, a gas leak inspection by a licensed plumber. Gas inspections are repeated every 12 months and current reports are kept on site.
Group home safety
Smoke detectors in each child care area and hallway (tested monthly), two fire extinguishers, outlet covers, no candles, space heaters only with tip-over and overheat shutoffs, no smoking during hours. Infants and children under 5 are cared for only on the ground floor. Firearms are unloaded and locked, separately from locked ammunition. Blind and curtain cords are anchored to the wall or out of reach. Children have no access to hot tubs, ponds, wells or trampolines.
DES family home hazards
No hot tubs or spas, parent permission for water play, direct supervision in any pool area, and developmentally appropriate barriers (locked doors, safety gates) to keep children away from hazardous areas.
Emergency preparedness and drills
Arizona requires monthly unannounced drills in both centers and group homes.
Center monthly practice drills
At least once a month, at different times of day, an unannounced practice drill covering evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place and lockdown, with every staff member, volunteer and child taking part and accommodations for non-walking infants and children with special needs. Document each drill and keep it 12 months.
SafePass tip: SafePass's checked-in list shows who is in care right now, which is the roster you take out the door, and parent messaging can reach every family at once for reunification. SafePass does not keep a drill log.
Center fire and emergency plan
A dated written plan with the first aid kit location, the names of CPR/first aid staff, emergency numbers, how parents are called within 30 minutes and notified in writing within 24 hours, and procedures for evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place, lockdown, reunification, continuity of operations and children with special needs. Update it every 12 months, post an evacuation map by each room's exit, and keep a working phone.
Group home plan and monthly fire drills
A fire and emergency plan with the address, emergency numbers, parent phone numbers and a floor plan with evacuation paths posted in each child care area. An unannounced fire and evacuation drill at least once a month, at a different time of day than the previous month, recorded with date and time and kept 12 months.
Evacuating infants on floor beds
Centers using floor bedding keep evacuation cribs within 10 feet of an exterior exit and, at the assembly point, account for every infant against the sign-in log and report to the director.
Medication
Programs may choose not to give medication, but must say so in writing.
Center medication rules
A written statement says whether medications are given. If they are: one designated staff member at a time is responsible; written authorization signed by the parent or health care provider gives the child's name, medication, prescription number, dose, route, dates, times, frequency and reason; prescriptions come in the pharmacy container and over-the-counter drugs in the manufacturer's container labeled with the child's name, used only as labeled unless a provider writes otherwise; doses are logged with name, amount, date, time and the staff signature (kept 12 months); and medication is locked in a leak-proof container used only for children's medication. Centers may not stock medication for children (except emergency inhalers stocked under A.R.S. § 36-2229).
SafePass tip: SafePass collects the parent's signed medication request. Staff approve it, then log each dose with time, amount and staff name, and the parent gets a notification. Check whether your compliance officer also wants ADHS's form.
Group home medication rules
Same structure as centers, but authorization must be on ADHS's form, liquids are measured with a proper measuring device, and doses are recorded on that form and kept 12 months. No stock supply.
DES family home medication rules
Only the provider gives medication, with signed written parent instructions; nothing expired or out of its original container; prescriptions must carry the date, child's name, dosage and doctor; every dose is logged with child, medication, date, time and dose; medication is locked.
Immunizations
The child immunization schedule itself is in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7.
Records before the first day
A child may not attend until the program has an immunization record from a health care provider or the Arizona State Immunization Information System showing all age-appropriate vaccines, or an exemption affidavit (medical, signed by a provider, or religious, signed by the parent). If a child falls behind, the parent gets written notice that the child may attend only 15 more days unless the shots are brought up to date. Children without proof of immunity are kept home during an outbreak. Centers may enroll homeless children and children referred by DCS while records are gathered.
SafePass tip: SafePass lets parents upload vaccine records. Staff verify them, and the dashboard lists overdue and due-soon doses, with an exemption field. It does not report to ASIIS or ADHS for you.
Staff immunity statements
Each staff member's file holds a written statement of immunity to measles, rubella, diphtheria, mumps and pertussis. Staff (and group home residents) without proof of immunity are excluded during an outbreak.
DES family homes
The provider keeps an immunization record or exemption affidavit for each child in care.
Nutrition and meals
Both rule sets use a meal pattern table by age (1-2, 3-5, 6 and older).
Center meals and snacks
Breakfast is available to children there before 8 a.m.; lunch between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; dinner if present 5 to 7 p.m. and staying later. Children in care 2 to 4 hours get a snack; 4 to 8 hours a snack and a meal; 9 hours or more two snacks and a meal. Food follows Table 5.1, seconds are offered, weekly menus are posted and substitutions written on them, and a one-day supply of food is kept.
SafePass tip: SafePass weekly menus and meal logs show parents what was served and how much their child ate.
Center food service
Lunch and dinner are family-style; children are encouraged but never forced to eat; milk for children over 2 is fat-free or 1% unless the parent asks otherwise; juice is 100% juice, limited to 4 ounces a day under age 6 and 6 ounces at 6 and older; modified diets are posted in the kitchen and the child's room. Kitchens need a county food permit where required.
Group home meals
Meals and snacks follow Table 4.1 by time of day (for example lunch for children there 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a snack 1 to 5 p.m.). No sugar-sweetened drinks; high-fat or high-sugar items like muffins or cookies count toward a meal or snack no more than twice a week; the same food (other than milk) is not served twice in a day; a dated weekly menu is prepared. Food for children under 5 is cut to avoid choking.
Infant feeding
Feed according to the parent's current written instructions (posted in centers); hold infants under 6 months (and older infants who cannot hold a bottle) to feed; never prop bottles or warm them in a microwave; label every bottle with the infant's name.
Safe sleep and naps
Back to sleep, bare cribs and no sleeping in car seats or swings.
Center infant sleep
Each infant has a crib with slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, a snug waterproof mattress and only a fitted crib sheet; no stacked cribs; cribs without solid ends 2 feet apart; no bumper pads, pillows, comforters, sheepskins or stuffed toys in the crib; infants placed on their backs unless a health care provider orders otherwise in writing; no sleeping with other children or in playpens, pack-and-plays, car seats, strollers, swings, bouncers or high chairs. One- and two-year-olds may not sleep in that equipment either (R9-5-504).
SafePass tip: SafePass nap logs record when each child went down and woke up, and parents see them. SafePass does not run timed sleep-check logs.
Center naps for all ages
Each napping child has a separate cot, mat or crib with a clean sheet (laundered weekly or when soiled), sleeps alone, with 18-inch aisles between rows, no bunk beds or waterbeds, no TV on, and a staff member awake and supervising. Lighting is dim but bright enough to see.
Group home sleep
Own bed, cot, mat or crib (crib sheets changed daily); no waterbeds, upper bunks or stacked cribs; nothing soft in a crib; infants on their backs, no positioning devices or restraints; a staff member stays awake until all children are asleep and may sleep only between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. if able to hear a child wake.
DES family homes
A bed, cot, mat, crib or playpen for each child who naps, and a safe crib, portable crib, bassinet or playpen for each infant; children under 2 are not confined in a crib, high chair, swing or playpen for more than one waking hour at a time; nap-time bottles hold only water unless a physician directs otherwise.
Discipline and guidance
The 2025 center rule (R9-5-510) is written as positive guidance and adds limits on separation.
Center positive discipline and guidance
Staff build relationships, teach simple rules, redirect and model behavior, and may write a team-based positive behavior support plan with the parent. Banned: hitting, spanking, shaking or any physical punishment; excessive exercise or rest; forcing food or soap; humiliation, threats or derogatory remarks; punishment tied to eating, sleeping, toileting or outdoor play; medication or mechanical restraint; time-outs in cribs, high chairs or car seats; and children punishing other children. Separation is allowed only from age 3 up, for up to 3 minutes (up to 10 with staff interaction). Physical holding only to prevent injury or damage, under a written restraint policy.
SafePass tip: SafePass incident reports and parent messaging give you a dated record of behavior notes shared with families.
Suspension and expulsion policy
Since August 2025, the center's written statement of services must include its suspension and expulsion policies, with clear expectations and prevention strategies.
Group home discipline
Explain, suggest an alternative and redirect; no corporal punishment and no discipline linked to eating, napping, toileting, medication, restraint, humiliation or fear. Children over 2 may be separated for no longer than 3 minutes after they regain control, and never more than 10 minutes without interaction. Providers may not discipline their own children differently during hours.
DES family home discipline
Only the provider disciplines; no corporal punishment, isolation in closets or other rooms, locking a child out, humiliation, medication or mechanical restraint, or discipline tied to eating, sleeping or toileting. Time out only in full view and never under age 3.
Records
Most ADHS records are kept on site for 12 months.
Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record
Before care starts, the parent completes and signs the Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record: child and parent details (centers now include parent email), at least two people authorized to pick up in an emergency, health care provider, emergency medical authorization, dietary needs and health conditions. Centers may use their own form of no more than two pages; group homes use ADHS's card. Keep it where staff can grab it in an evacuation, and keep it 12 months after the child leaves.
SafePass tip: SafePass registration packets collect guardians, emergency contacts, authorized pickups, physician and allergy information, with a parent signature.
Staff files
Each staff file holds contact details, start and end dates, an emergency contact, the immunity statement, the criminal history attestation, fingerprint card and background check copies, TB screening, qualifications and training records. Centers keep current staff files in one place on site, keep former staff files 12 months, and must produce reference-check documentation within two hours of an ADHS request.
SafePass tip: SafePass staff profiles store certifications and documents with expiration dates, so these records are in one place for the compliance officer.
Daily infant records and diaper logs
Infant rooms keep a dated, timed daily record for each infant of activities, food, diaper changes and tummy time, kept 12 months and given to the parent on request. Diaper changes for older children go in a dated diaper log.
SafePass tip: SafePass daily logs (meals, naps and diapers) shared with parents in the app cover the food and diaper parts of the infant record; add activities and tummy time in the notes.
Inspection reports on site
Centers keep current ADHS inspection reports at the facility, make them available to parents and post a notice saying where they can be read.
Attendance, sign-in and sign-out
Attendance and room rosters are among ADHS's most-cited center rules.
Center sign-in and release
Keep a dated attendance form with each child's name, the time of every admission and release, and the parent's or staff member's signature or other unique identifier. If electronic signatures are used, adopt a policy making each person accountable for their electronic identifier. Verify anyone you don't know with photo ID, release only to the parent or someone the parent designated in writing (or authorized by phone in an emergency), and allow school-age self-release only with verified written permission. Keep forms 12 months.
SafePass tip: SafePass Kiosk records each check-in and check-out with a timestamp and who dropped off or picked up, and exports attendance reports as PDF. At check-out it shows staff the child's authorized pickups, with photos. Write the electronic-signature accountability policy R9-5-306(A)(2) asks for, and keep records for 12 months.
Room rosters
Written procedures make staff keep daily documentation of which children are in each activity area, including how temporary absences are tracked, kept 12 months. (Out-of-school-time programs may instead use an entry/exit roster under A.R.S. § 36-894.02.)
SafePass tip: SafePass shows staff a live list of children checked in to each room, so a caregiver can confirm names and headcount at a glance. Write down how temporary absences are tracked, as the rule asks.
Staff attendance
A dated daily attendance record on which each staff member records arrival and departure times (group homes: start and end of providing care), kept 12 months.
SafePass tip: The SafePass staff time clock records when each staff member clocks in and out.
Group home sign-in and sign-out
The parent or an authorized person signs each child in and out, recording the time and at least a first initial and last name. Unknown adults are checked against the authorized list and photo ID. Keep records 12 months.
SafePass tip: SafePass Kiosk records each check-in and check-out with a timestamp and who dropped off or picked up, and exports attendance reports as PDF. Check with your compliance officer that its record meets the time-plus-name requirement, and keep records 12 months.
DES family homes
A daily attendance log on a DES-approved form, with each child signed in and out by the parent or a person the parent designated in writing.
Transportation and field trips
Vehicle rules in Arizona include heat and air conditioning requirements.
Center vehicles and drivers
Dated parent permission before transporting; registered and insured vehicles kept clean and safe; heating to 60 degrees F and air conditioning to 86 degrees F or below; a first aid kit, two towels or blankets and drinking water; car seats per A.R.S. § 28-907 for children under 8 and 4 feet 9 inches or shorter; no truck beds or trailers. Drivers are 18 or older with an Arizona license, carry a list of children and their emergency records, lock doors, keep children out of front airbag seats, and use no phone or headphones while driving. Report any vehicle accident to ADHS within 24 hours and in writing within 7 days. Ratios apply in vehicles; a driver counts for children under school age only when 4 or fewer are aboard.
SafePass tip: SafePass does not keep transportation or vehicle check logs; use the checked-in list to confirm every child arrived.
Center field trips
Written parent permission with date, destination and times (may cover repeat trips to one place for a year); a written trip plan; staff carry each child's emergency record, a child list and water; children are counted and checked off at departure, arrival, every hour at the destination, before leaving and on return; each child wears visible ID with the facility's name and phone and hidden ID with the child's name; 6 or more children need a child educator plus another staff member.
Group home trips and driving
Written parent permission (up to 12 months) for school runs and field trips; vehicles registered, insured, with heat, air conditioning, first aid kit and towels; drivers 18 or older and licensed; car seats per A.R.S. § 28-907; ADHS notified within 24 hours of an accident; staff carry each child's emergency record and water and account for every child.
DES family homes
Written parent permission before transporting; the driver has a valid Arizona license, insurance and no DUI conviction in the past three years; the vehicle is mechanically safe (brakes, lights, tires); car seats or seat belts per A.R.S. § 28-907; no truck beds, campers or trailers; first aid supplies and the child's emergency card in the car; and a child is never left alone in a vehicle.
Inspections and enforcement
ADHS calls its inspections 'surveys' and its findings 'deficiencies'.
How often ADHS inspects
By statute, ADHS makes at least one unannounced visit a year to every center and monitors every group home at least twice a year. ADHS says centers and public school programs are inspected at least yearly and group homes at least twice yearly, plus complaint investigations; surveys are unannounced except for new providers or added services. ADHS may visit any time during operating hours.
SafePass tip: SafePass attendance, incident and medication records can be pulled up on a tablet during a visit.
Statement of Deficiencies and corrections
After a survey ADHS sends a Statement of Deficiencies; the director or provider has 10 days to send a Written Document of Correction. ADHS keeps a public file of survey reports and corrections for three years, and inspection histories appear on AZ Care Check. The compliance checklist ADHS uses (the 'rules instrument') is public.
Civil penalties
ADHS may fine up to $100 per violation, and each day is a separate violation, weighing repeat violations, patterns, severity, harm, number of children affected and facility size. A center fined this way is also placed on provisional license status for up to 6 months unless the license is revoked or suspended.
Intermediate sanctions and injunctions
When children's health or safety is endangered, ADHS may immediately stop new admissions, end specific services or reduce capacity until the program is back in substantial compliance, and may ask the county attorney or attorney general for an injunction.
Operating without a license or certificate
ADHS sends a notice to stop; anyone still operating 10 days later commits a class 1 misdemeanor. ADHS can refer the case to the county attorney and seek an injunction, and for suspected unlicensed centers a magistrate can issue an inspection warrant.
DES complaints
DES investigates complaints about certified family homes, may inspect the home and records and interview household members, and makes information on valid complaints available on request.
Denials, revocations and appeals
Arizona uses administrative hearings for license actions.
Denial, suspension or revocation of a center license
ADHS must mail notice of the right to a hearing at least 30 days before denying, suspending or revoking a license, stating the facts and the rule broken. Grounds include false information, a prior denial or revocation in any state, a denied or revoked fingerprint card, failing to substantially comply, or refusing an acceptable correction plan. If the facility fixes the problem within the notice period, ADHS may withdraw the action.
Fast hearing on sanctions
A program ordered to stop admissions, cut capacity or end services may request a hearing in writing within 10 days (group homes by certified mail); the Office of Administrative Hearings must hold it within 7 business days.
Group home certificate actions and penalty appeals
ADHS may deny, suspend or revoke a group home certificate for similar reasons, including being the parent or guardian of a child adjudicated dependent. A group home may appeal a civil penalty by requesting an administrative hearing; ADHS cannot collect while the appeal is pending.
DES family homes
DES gives written notice of a proposed denial, suspension or revocation, and the provider may request a hearing.
Most common citations
Period: Calendar year 2025
How it was counted: These are ADHS's own published counts, not our count. ADHS lists the ten most-cited rules separately for child care centers and public school programs (shown here) and for child care group homes (most-cited: R9-3-303(B) emergency/immunization record card 88; R9-3-401(B)(2) hazards 59; R9-3-302(C) 12 hours of annual training 45; R9-3-406(F) weekly menu 43; R9-3-305(A)(2) attendance records 40; R9-3-301(G) postings 38; R9-3-301(A)(4)(d) staff attendance 36; R9-3-301(A)(4)(b) staff files 34; R9-3-507(A)(1) diaper surface clutter 30; R9-3-507(B)(1) diapering procedure 28). ADHS did not publish the total number of citations, so no share is given. The center rules changed on August 3, 2025, partway through the year, and ADHS lists each citation under the rule number in effect when it was cited: the fence rule ADHS lists as R9-5-603.C and the surfacing rule as R9-5-603.E are now R9-5-603(B) and (D) under the 2025 rules (per ADHS's crosswalk). Per-facility inspection reports are on AZ Care Check, which has no bulk download, and we found no deficiency dataset on the ADHS data portal, so we did not compute our own counts. No provider names are used.
| Rule | Topic | Citations | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.A.C. R9-5-603.C (now R9-5-603(B)) | Outdoor activity area: fence, hazards, gates | 412 | Walk the playground every morning: fence at least 4 feet, gaps under 4 inches, secured to the ground, gates closed, no exposed footings or broken toys. |
| A.A.C. R9-5-304.B | Missing or incomplete Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record | 399 | Audit every child's record each quarter: two emergency pickup contacts, health care provider, signed emergency medical authorization, parent email, immunization record attached. |
| A.A.C. R9-5-603.E (now R9-5-603(D)) | Resilient surfacing in playground fall zones not maintained | 332 | Rake loose fill back into fall zones weekly and measure depth; keep at least 6 inches under swings and climbers or use unitary surfacing. |
| A.A.C. R9-5-309.C | Fire and gas inspection reports not current | 319 | Calendar the gas inspection 12 months from the last one and keep the current fire and gas reports, with proof of repairs, in a binder on site. |
| A.A.C. R9-5-512.F | Toys, equipment and toilet rooms not clean or working | 316 | Use a daily cleaning checklist for toys and bathrooms, and repair or replace chipped sinks, broken fixtures and empty dispensers the same day. |
| A.A.C. R9-5-503.A.1 | Diaper changing area not clean or missing required items | 292 | Keep the changing surface clear of everything but diapering supplies; check soap, paper towels, gloves and lidded lined cans at every shift change. |
| A.A.C. R9-5-501.A.12 | Premises not free from hazards | 285 | Do a crawl-level walk-through of each room and the building daily: loose cords, broken furniture, chemicals, sharp edges, trip hazards. |
| A.A.C. R9-5-306.B | Child rosters (room presence) not maintained | 272 | Update each room's roster every time a child arrives, leaves or moves rooms, and note temporary absences such as therapy pull-outs. |
| A.A.C. R9-5-512.B | Premises and furnishings not clean or have odors | 234 | Schedule deep cleaning of carpets, cots and upholstered furniture and find the source of any odor rather than masking it. |
| A.A.C. R9-5-306.A | Children's attendance records incomplete or missing | 227 | Require a time and a signature or unique identifier for every drop-off and pickup, and check the sheet or kiosk at closing for gaps. |
Frequently asked questions
Who licenses daycares in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing. It licenses child care centers under A.R.S. § 36-882 and 9 A.A.C. 5, and certifies child care group homes (5 to 10 children in the provider's home) under A.R.S. § 36-897.01 and 9 A.A.C. 3. The Department of Economic Security separately certifies family child care homes of up to 4 children that are paid with child care assistance (A.R.S. § 46-801(6); A.A.C. R6-5-5220).
How many children can I babysit in Arizona without a license?
Up to 4 unrelated children for pay. A center license is required for 5 or more children not related to the proprietor (A.R.S. § 36-881(3)), and a home caring for 5 to 10 children for pay must be certified as a child care group home (A.R.S. § 36-897(1)). To be paid by the state's child care assistance program for 4 or fewer, you need DES certification (A.R.S. § 46-801(6)).
What are the staff-to-child ratios for Arizona child care centers?
Under A.A.C. R9-5-404(A): infants 1:5 or 2:11; one-year-olds 1:6 or 2:13; two-year-olds 1:8; three-year-olds 1:13; four-year-olds 1:15; five-year-olds not in school 1:20; school-age 1:20. The youngest child in a group sets the ratio, and the ratios did not change in the August 2025 rule rewrite.
Does Arizona limit group size in child care centers?
No. The center rules set ratios but no maximum group size. Room capacity comes from square footage (35 square feet per infant or one-year-old, 25 per older child, A.A.C. R9-5-602) and is posted in each room (R9-5-303(B)). Once 6 or more children are present, infants may not be grouped with older children (R9-5-404(C)(3)).
How many children can a child care group home have?
From 5 to 10 children for pay, with no more than 15 children in total including children related to the provider; the provider's own children are not counted for certification. A second adult must be present whenever 6 or more enrolled children are there (A.R.S. § 36-897.02; A.A.C. R9-3-301(D)).
How many training hours do Arizona child care staff need?
Center staff who care for children need 24 clock hours every 12 months since the August 3, 2025 rules (up from 18), plus new-staff training within 10 days (A.A.C. R9-5-403). Group home staff need 12 hours a year (R9-3-302(C)), and DES-certified family home providers 6 hours a calendar year (R6-5-5207(E)).
Do Arizona child care workers need a fingerprint clearance card?
Yes. Center and group home staff and volunteers need a valid Level I fingerprint clearance card from the Department of Public Safety before starting (A.R.S. §§ 36-883.02, 36-897.03, 41-1758.07), plus a background check document from DES's Centralized Background Check (A.R.S. § 46-811). In group homes, every adult living in the home needs them too (A.A.C. R9-3-202).
How often are Arizona daycares inspected, and can I see the reports?
ADHS must make at least one unannounced visit a year to each center (A.R.S. § 36-885) and monitor each group home at least twice a year (A.R.S. § 36-897.02(F)). Inspection histories and enforcement actions are on ADHS's AZ Care Check, and centers must keep current inspection reports on site for parents (A.R.S. § 36-882(Q)).
How often must Arizona daycares do fire and emergency drills?
Monthly. Centers run an unannounced practice drill at least once a month at different times of day covering evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place and lockdown (A.A.C. R9-5-301(I)). Group homes run an unannounced fire and evacuation drill every month at a different time of day than the month before (R9-3-504(F)).
What are the most common Arizona child care violations?
In ADHS's 2025 Top Ten Citations, the most-cited center rules were playground fencing and hazards (412), missing or incomplete Emergency, Information, and Immunization Records (399), playground surfacing (332) and out-of-date fire and gas inspection reports (319). For group homes, the incomplete emergency record card topped the list (88), followed by hazards in child care areas (59) and missing proof of 12 hours of annual training (45).
Sources
- Official text: Arizona Administrative Code, Title 9, Chapter 5 (child care facilities) — Arizona Secretary of State (accessed November 8, 2026)
- Official text: Arizona Administrative Code, Title 9, Chapter 3 (child care group homes) — Arizona Secretary of State (accessed November 8, 2026)
- Official text: Arizona Administrative Code, Title 6, Chapter 5, Article 52 (DES family child care homes) — Arizona Secretary of State (accessed November 8, 2026)
- Official index: Arizona Administrative Code — Arizona Secretary of State (linked from ADHS's rules page) (accessed November 8, 2026)
- ADHS Bureau of Child Care Licensing, Rules & Regulations page (links to official and unofficial rule texts; states the new center rules are effective August 3, 2025) (accessed November 8, 2026)
- ADHS, Arizona Administrative Code and Arizona Revised Statutes for Child Care Facilities, 'Effective August 3, 2025' (ADHS's unofficial compilation of 9 A.A.C. 5 and A.R.S. 36-881 et seq.; used for center rule text and links) (accessed November 8, 2026)
- ADHS, Child Care Group Homes Rules & Statutes (compilation of 9 A.A.C. 3 incl. 2021-2022 background check amendments; used for group home rule text and links) (accessed November 8, 2026)
- Cornell Legal Information Institute copy of Ariz. Admin. Code R6-5-5201 to R6-5-5225 (verification copy with section histories, not an official source) (accessed November 8, 2026)
- Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 36, Chapter 7.1 (A.R.S. 36-881 to 36-897.13), Arizona Legislature (accessed November 8, 2026)
- A.R.S. 46-801, 46-807, 46-811 (DES certification and background checks), Arizona Legislature (accessed November 8, 2026)
- A.R.S. 41-1758.02 and 41-1758.07 (fingerprint clearance cards), Arizona Legislature (accessed November 8, 2026)
- ADHS Office of Administrative Rules: completed (2025, 31 A.A.R. 2015) and active child care rulemakings, with drafts (accessed November 8, 2026)
- ADHS Chapter 5 Crosswalk, old vs. new center rules (2025) (accessed November 8, 2026)
- ADHS BCCL E-News, New Rule Highlights (August 11, 2025) (accessed November 8, 2026)
- ADHS BCCL, Top Ten Citations - 2025 (updated January 8, 2026) (accessed November 8, 2026)
- ADHS, Child Care Facilities Survey Process and Enforcement Process (accessed November 8, 2026)
- Laws 2025, ch. 48 (HB 2066), out-of-school-time rosters (accessed November 8, 2026)
- ADHS BCCL E-Newsletter, February 2026 (annual fees; one-time discount until September 30, 2026) (accessed November 8, 2026)
- AZ Care Check, child care facility search (ADHS) (accessed November 8, 2026)
Educational information, not legal advice. Rules change and inspectors apply them to your specific program. Always confirm requirements with your state child care licensing agency: Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing; family child care homes that take subsidy are certified by the Department of Economic Security (DES). How we handle your information: privacy policy.