Nebraska Daycare Self-Inspection Checklist (Printable)

Recent changes (2024–2026)

Volunteer counted in ratio? Fingerprint check on file, 10 hours a week or less, supervised or fully qualified Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1912.02 (Laws 2026, LB 912, § 28) Centers · Family child care
July 2026: start work after a fingerprint result, portable checks Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1912(5) (Laws 2026, LB 912, § 26) Centers · Family child care A new staff member may start once DHHS has a qualifying FBI fingerprint check or a state fingerprint-based check, but must be supervised at all times by someone with a qualifying check until all parts of the background…
July 2026: no local residency requirements for Family Child Care Home II Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1923.04 (Laws 2026, LB 912, § 29) Family child care Cities, villages and counties may not impose residency requirements on a Family Child Care Home II.
July 2026: youth afterschool eligibility letter for 16- and 17-year-olds Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1912.03 (Laws 2026, LB 867, § 22) Centers DHHS issues an eligibility letter to 16- and 17-year-olds who pass the required registry checks, submit background check documents and complete a 7-hour school-age orientation.
Caring for a child with a known allergy? Anaphylaxis policy adopted and in the parent handbook Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1913.04 (Laws 2025, LB 457) Centers · Family child care
Current certificate of liability insurance ($100,000 per occurrence) on hand for the inspector Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 71-1911.03, 71-1912(3), 71-1913(3) (Laws 2025, LB 257) Centers · Family child care
2025: programs on military bases and federal property exempt Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1910(2)(b) (Laws 2025, LB 248) Centers · Family child care LB 248, approved April 7, 2025, added to the list of care that is not a licensed "program": a program on a military base or federal property, or a family child care provider licensed by a branch of the U.S.
No blankets in any crib or playpen (sleep sacks only) Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1917.01 (Laws 2024, LB 874, § 6) Centers · Family child care
2024: dual licenses and five-year rule reviews Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 71-1911, 71-1923.01 (Laws 2024, LB 874) Centers · Family child care LB 874, approved April 15, 2024, says no licensee may be stopped from holding a dual license to meet attendance requirements, made background checks portable between providers, and requires DHHS to send all child care…

Who needs a license, and what kind

Licensed before caring for 4 or more unrelated children Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1911(1)–(2) Centers · Family child care
Care that is exempt from licensing 391 NAC 3-001.02 Centers · Family child care Exempt (but may choose to be licensed): irregular, informal care; free care; care of 3 or fewer children; recreation camps and city or county recreation programs; religious classes other than child care or preschool;…
The five license types 391 NAC 1-001.01; 2-001.01; 3-001.01; 4-001.01; 5-001.01 Centers · Family child care Family Child Care Home I: in the licensee's own home, 4 to 8 children, plus up to 2 more school-age children outside school hours if no more than 2 of the others are under 18 months.
Provisional and operating licenses Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1911(3)–(6); 391 NAC 3-003.01–3-003.02 Centers · Family child care Every new program gets a provisional license for its first year, after the applicant completes DHHS preservice orientation.
Liability insurance Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1911.03 Centers · Family child care Before a license is issued you must give DHHS written proof of liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence for the hours you operate, and you must keep it in force whenever a child is in care.
Center application and change notices 391 NAC 3-003.01A; 3-004.06 Centers A new center applies with a site sketch, zoning approval, fire and sanitation inspection approvals, a description of services, sample daily schedule and weekly menu, director qualifications and background check…

Staff-to-child ratios

Ratios met center-wide: 1:4 infants, 1:6 toddlers, 1:10 age 3, 1:12 ages 4–5, 1:15 school-age 391 NAC 3-006.15C Centers
Staffing rules in centers 391 NAC 3-006.15B Centers Every room with children needs a teacher giving direct care.
FCCH I: no more than 8 (10 with school-agers), 3 infants, 2 under 12 months 391 NAC 1-006.08B Family child care
Family Child Care Home II ratios 391 NAC 2-006.08B Family child care Infants only: 1 staff for 4, 2 for 5 to 8, 3 for 9 to 12.
School-age-only centers and preschools 391 NAC 4-006.14C; 5-006.14C Centers School-age-only centers: 1:15. Preschools: 1:10 for 3-year-olds and 1:12 for 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds.
Swimming ratios 391 NAC 3-006.25H(3); 1-006.18H Centers · Family child care When children use a pool on the premises: infants 1:1, toddlers 1:2, preschoolers 1:4, school-age 1:6.

Group size and capacity

Infant rooms: 12 children max, 2 staff in the room at 5+ infants, 3 at 9+ 391 NAC 3-006.23A Centers
Licensed capacity 391 NAC 3-006.15A; 1-006.08A; 2-006.08A Centers · Family child care Capacity is the smaller of what DHHS approves for the space and what the State Fire Marshal allows.

Staff qualifications

Center director 391 NAC 3-006.04A Centers At least 19 and of good moral character, with one of: a bachelor's degree in early childhood, education or child/youth development; a bachelor's degree with 6 credit hours in those fields; an associate degree in those…
Center teachers 391 NAC 3-006.05 Centers At least 18 and of good moral character, with a bachelor's or associate degree in early childhood, education or child/youth development, a CDA, or a high school diploma or GED plus 1,500 hours of verified experience (or…
Support staff, substitutes and volunteers 391 NAC 3-006.06 Centers Support staff must be at least 16, and a teacher must be in the room with them whenever children are present.
Family home providers and staff 391 NAC 1-006.01, 1-006.03; 2-006.01, 2-006.03 Family child care The licensee of a Family Child Care Home I or II must be at least 19, of good moral character, lawfully present in the U.S., and responsible for day-to-day operation.
Health Information Report 391 NAC 3-006.03F Centers Center applicants, and staff who care for children more than 20 hours a week, complete a Health Information Report (including a health professional's assessment) within 30 days of hire and every year after.

Background checks

Every staff member and household member 18+: fingerprint eligibility on file, renewed every 5 years Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1912(5) Centers · Family child care
Nebraska registry checks 391 NAC 3-006.03B; 1-006.02B; 2-006.02B Centers · Family child care The applicant, staff, volunteers and (in a home) household members must not be listed on the Nebraska child abuse/neglect central register (age 13+), the adult protective services registry (18+) or the State Patrol sex…
Report of Law Enforcement Contact 391 NAC 3-006.03C–D; 1-006.02C–D Centers · Family child care Each adult staff member, volunteer and household member fills out a Report of Law Enforcement Contact every year and whenever they are arrested, cited (other than a minor traffic ticket), charged or convicted.
Disqualifying crimes 391 NAC 3-006.03A1–A5 Centers · Family child care The 2013 rules list permanent disqualifications (for example child abuse or neglect, sexual assault, domestic violence, felony drug distribution, kidnapping, murder), 20-year disqualifications (arson, felony theft,…
Staff under investigation 391 NAC 3-006.03E Centers If you have reason to believe a staff member or volunteer is being investigated for abuse or neglect, send the name to DHHS for a registry check.

Training

Each caregiver: 12 training hours this year (6 if 20 hours a week or less) 391 NAC 3-006.10D; 1-006.04E; 2-006.04E Centers · Family child care
Orientation before working with children 391 NAC 3-006.10A Centers New center staff and volunteers get orientation before caring for children: job duties, infection control and hand washing, abuse and neglect reporting, the center rules, fire evacuation, tornado safety, disaster plans,…
Family home preservice training 391 NAC 1-006.04A; 2-006.04A Family child care Before a provisional license is issued, the applicant completes DHHS's 2-hour orientation plus CPR and first aid.
Safety, management and Early Learning Guidelines training 391 NAC 3-006.08–3-006.09; 1-006.04B–D Centers · Family child care Center directors finish DHHS-approved director orientation within 30 days.
Someone with current CPR and first aid on site every hour you're open 391 NAC 3-006.10B; 3-006.10E Centers

Health and safety

Every child within sight or sound of an awake, alert caregiver, indoors and out 391 NAC 3-006.19; 1-006.12 Centers · Family child care
Illness and communicable disease 391 NAC 3-006.16–3-006.17 Centers · Family child care Have a written policy on excluding ill children and enforce it.
Allergies on file 391 NAC 3-006.12(11) Centers · Family child care Each child's record must list allergies and intolerances (food, insect stings and other triggers) with clear instructions for an exposure.
Chemicals and medicines locked; any firearms locked and unloaded, ammo separate 391 NAC 3-006.32E; 1-006.25E Centers · Family child care
Smoking, alcohol, drugs and pets 391 NAC 3-006.32A–D Centers · Family child care No indoor smoking in a center (in a home-based center, not while children from other families are present, and parents must be told if anyone in the home smokes).

Facility, furniture and equipment

Written maintenance routine; no broken furniture or loose parts; exits clear 391 NAC 3-006.31B Centers
Outdoor play area and anchoring 391 NAC 3-007.03; 3-007.03C–D Centers Centers serving children under school age need a fenced outdoor area (fence at least 36 inches, no gaps) that holds at least 25% of capacity at 50 square feet per child.
Family home outdoor space and fencing 391 NAC 1-007.03–1-007.05; 2-007.03–2-007.05 Family child care An outdoor play area with 50 square feet per child is required.
Indoor space 391 NAC 3-007.01; 1-007.01; 2-007.01 Centers · Family child care At least 35 square feet of activity space per child.
Fire safety in family homes 391 NAC 1-007.07; 2-007.07 Family child care Two Fire Marshal-approved exits from each floor used for care; furnaces, wood stoves and heaters out of children's reach while in use; no candles, incense or open flames during care; bathroom and closet doors that…
Water 391 NAC 3-007.02B; 1-007.02A Centers · Family child care Hot water at hand washing and bathing sinks must stay between 100°F and 120°F.

Emergency preparedness

Fire drill every month; 4 tornado drills March–September; dates written down 391 NAC 3-006.30B; 1-006.23B Centers · Family child care
Written disaster plan 391 NAC 3-006.30D Centers · Family child care Plan for evacuating to a safe place in a fire, tornado, flood or other disaster, notifying parents, reuniting families, and keeping children with special needs safe throughout.
Death, ER/hospital injury or missing child reported to DHHS within 24 hours 391 NAC 3-006.30E; 1-006.23E; 2-006.23E Centers · Family child care
Phone and first aid kit 391 NAC 3-006.30A, 3-006.30F Centers · Family child care A working phone with emergency numbers (911, Poison Control) posted, and a first aid kit out of children's reach with a thermometer, soap, bandages, gauze, tape, scissors and gloves.

Medication

Signed parent permission and instructions before every medication 391 NAC 3-006.27; 1-006.20 Centers · Family child care
Storage and records 391 NAC 3-006.27G–H Centers · Family child care Keep all medication locked (with separate locked refrigerated storage), in the original labeled container.

Immunizations

Immunization record, medical statement or parent statement for every child by day 30 Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1913.01; 391 NAC 3-006.18 Centers · Family child care

Nutrition and infant feeding

Meals and snacks 391 NAC 3-006.28; 1-006.21 Centers · Family child care Meals and snacks must meet USDA food group and portion requirements and address allergies.
Bottles and breast milk 391 NAC 3-006.23(3), (5); 3-006.29A Centers · Family child care Hold infants under 6 months for feeding and never prop bottles.

Safe sleep

Back to sleep 391 NAC 3-006.23(6); 1-006.16(6) Centers · Family child care Place infants on their backs to sleep unless a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant's note on file says otherwise (and how).
Infants on their backs in approved cribs: nothing in the crib, no blankets 391 NAC 3-006.22B; Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1917.01 Centers · Family child care

Discipline

Prohibited discipline and time-out 391 NAC 3-006.20A–C; 1-006.13 Centers · Family child care Banned: spanking, slapping, pinching, punching, shaking, striking with an object, soap or hot sauce, locking or closing a child in a room or closet, rough handling, biting, denying food, forced napping, derogatory…
Physical holds and restraint 391 NAC 3-006.20D–E Centers · Family child care A physical hold is allowed only when a child is hurting themselves, others or property, can't restrict breathing or speech, and ends when the child is calm.

Records

Child's record before enrollment 391 NAC 3-006.12; 1-006.06 Centers · Family child care Before a child starts: name, birthdate, enrollment date, parents' home and work addresses and phones, the people the child may be released to, emergency contacts, consent to call a physician, current health status, and…
Parent brochure, services and policies 391 NAC 3-006.13–3-006.14 Centers · Family child care Give each family DHHS's Parent Information Brochure at enrollment and keep a signed receipt.
Staff records 391 NAC 3-006.11; 1-006.05 Centers · Family child care For each staff member: contact information, hire and end dates, Report of Law Enforcement Contact, criminal history and registry check documentation, Health Information Report, qualifications, orientation and training…

Attendance and pick-up

Daily child attendance and staff attendance records that prove ratio 391 NAC 3-006.15C; 4-006.14C; 5-006.14C Centers
Release to authorized people 391 NAC 3-006.12(7); 3-006.14B(4) Centers · Family child care Each child's record lists who the child may be released to, and centers must have a written policy for verifying the identity of people picking up.

Transportation

Written transport permission; car seats; nobody left in the vehicle 391 NAC 3-006.26; 1-006.19 Centers · Family child care
Driver training for centers 391 NAC 3-006.10C Centers Center staff who transport children need a Safe Kids Buckle Up certificate within 90 days of hire, renewed every 5 years, plus current CPR and first aid.

Inspections and enforcement

Unannounced inspections Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1912(2)–(4); 391 NAC 3-005 Centers · Family child care All inspections are unannounced except the initial licensing visit and consultation visits you ask for.
License posted; inspection reports ready to show on request Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 71-1911(7), 71-1912(4) Centers · Family child care
Penalties Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 71-1911(4), 71-1919–71-1921 Centers · Family child care DHHS may deny a license or discipline it for rule violations, certain crimes, conduct harmful to children, refusing inspection access, or failing to report abuse.
Unlicensed care Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1914.01–.03 Centers · Family child care When DHHS confirms unlicensed care that needs a license, the provider has 30 days to get licensed or stop.

Contesting a decision

Disciplinary notice? Written hearing request mailed within 15 days Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1922 Centers · Family child care
Emergency orders Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1915 Centers · Family child care If DHHS finds an emergency threatening children's safety it can order immediate action, including stopping care of anyone but your own children, without notice.

Nebraska daycare self-inspection checklist

Recent changes (2024–2026)

Who needs a license, and what kind

Staff-to-child ratios

Group size and capacity

Staff qualifications

Background checks

Training

Health and safety

Facility, furniture and equipment

Emergency preparedness

Medication

Immunizations

Nutrition and infant feeding

Safe sleep

Discipline

Records

Attendance and pick-up

Transportation

Inspections and enforcement

Contesting a decision

Email me when Nebraska's rules change