Vermont daycare regulations

License or registration required

33 V.S.A. § 3502(a)–(c) CentersFamily child careSchool-age programs View rule 33 V.S.A. § 3502(a)–(c)

A person may not run a child care facility without a license, or a family child care home without registration, from the Department for Children and Families. Exempt: care for children of no more than two families other than the provider's own; hospitals and recreational or therapeutic programs, unless child care is more than incidental; care during religious services or church-sponsored activities; and 21st Century Community Learning Centers afterschool programs overseen by the Agency of Education, unless they take child care subsidy. A center licensee may not also run a family child care home, and vice versa.

Centers and preschools

CBCCPP Rule 2.1.1 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.1.1 (PDF)

A center-based child care and preschool program provides care and education outside children's homes for less than 24 hours a day, as a business or service on a regular basis, paid or not. Public and private school pre-kindergarten programs and programs serving drop-in (non-recurring) clientele are licensed under the same rules.

Two kinds of family child care home

FCCH Rules 2.1.1–2.1.3 Effective April 2022 Family child care View rule FCCH Rules 2.1.1–2.1.3 (PDF)

A family child care home operates in the provider's own residence. A registered home follows the capacity limits in Rule 6.2.1 (generally up to 10 children). A licensed home follows Rule 6.2.2 (up to 12, with assistants). Rules printed in a box in the rulebook apply only to licensed homes. A family child care provider may not also run a center or afterschool program.

Afterschool programs

ASP Rule 1.4; 33 V.S.A. § 3502(b) Effective April 2022 School-age programs View rule ASP Rule 1.4; 33 V.S.A. § 3502(b) (PDF)

Afterschool child care programs serve school-age children (age 5 or older and in kindergarten or above) in community centers or schools. They have their own rulebook, which this page covers only for ratios, staff and training. Short recreation programs that meet the time limits in ASP Rule 1.5 are exempt.

Full and provisional licenses

CBCCPP Rule 2.3.7; FCCH Rule 2.3.6 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.3.7; FCCH Rule 2.3.6 (PDF)

A full license lasts three years. A provisional license, for up to one year, may be issued to a new program not yet shown to be in full compliance, a program applying for a change, one with an emergency or a pattern of noncompliance, or one renewing without substantial compliance. The program must follow an approved written compliance plan while provisional.

Post the license and the rules

CBCCPP Rule 2.3.4; FCCH Rule 2.3.3 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.3.4; FCCH Rule 2.3.3 (PDF)

Post the current license and a copy of the current licensing regulations where parents, staff and visitors can clearly see them. Remove an expired or void license right away.

Tell CDD before you change

CBCCPP Rule 2.3.12 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.3.12 (PDF)

Notify CDD before changing indoor or outdoor space, the program name, tax ID, license type, number or ages of children served, program director, or the licensee's designated representative. CDD decides whether the license can be modified or a new license is needed.

Center ratios and group sizes

CBCCPP Rule 6.2.1.3 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rule 6.2.1.3 (PDF)

Staff present must meet these limits at all times of day: birth to 18 months 1:4 (maximum group 8); 18 to 30 months 1:4 (group 10); 24 to 36 months 1:5 (group 10); 32 to 42 months 1:6 (group 15); 36 months to kindergarten 1:10 (group 20); 1st grade and up 1:13 (group 26).

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 Vermont's number for that room's age group. SafePass's built-in defaults are not Vermont's: its infant default (1:4) matches, but its toddler default (1:6), two-year-old default (1:8) and school-age default (1:15) are all looser than Vermont's 1:4 or 1:5, 1:5 or 1:6, and 1:13. SafePass does not apply the youngest-child rule for mixed-age groups or check group-size limits.

Mixed ages and staff members' own children

CBCCPP Rules 6.2.2, 6.2.1.1 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 6.2.2, 6.2.1.1 (PDF)

In a mixed-age group, both the ratio and the maximum group size follow the age of the youngest child. Every child present without a parent counts toward capacity, and children of staff count in ratio when they are at the program.

SafePass tip: SafePass Kiosk check-ins give you a running count of who is in care right now, by child and age. Add staff members' children as enrolled children so they appear in the count.

Who counts in ratio

CBCCPP Rules 6.2.1.4–6.2.1.8 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 6.2.1.4–6.2.1.8 (PDF)

Only qualified staff who meet the training rules and are physically present and working with children count. Substitutes may count. Classroom aides assigned to a specific child do not count while doing that job. Partner staff from other agencies never count and may not be left alone with children. Auxiliary staff count only if they hold certain Agency of Education endorsements (art, music, physical education, school nurse and others), and then for no more than one hour a day.

Nap time and the second adult

CBCCPP Rules 6.2.3, 6.2.4.5 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 6.2.3, 6.2.4.5 (PDF)

When children 24 months and older nap, at least one staff member must supervise each sleeping group with a clear view of the children, and the other staff the ratio requires must stay within hearing distance. Whenever 7 or more children are present, a second adult who could help in an emergency must be within hearing distance of the licensed space.

Registered home capacity

FCCH Rule 6.2.1 (registered homes) Effective April 2022 Family child care View rule FCCH Rule 6.2.1 (registered homes) (PDF)

Year-round, a registered home may have no more than 10 children at once. With one provider, no more than 6 may be younger than school age and no more than 2 may be under 24 months (3 infants only if they are the only children). School-age children fill the rest, up to 10. With a second staff person, up to 4 children under 24 months are allowed (up to 6 if no other children are present). In summer vacation, an alternate chart allows up to 12, with two staff once there are more than 6. The provider's own children under 24 months count toward the infant limit.

SafePass tip: SafePass Kiosk check-ins give a running count of who is in care, by child and age. Add your own young children as enrolled children if you want them in the under-24-month count. SafePass does not check Vermont's capacity charts for you.

Licensed home capacity

FCCH Rule 6.2.2 (licensed homes) Effective April 2022 Family child care View rule FCCH Rule 6.2.2 (licensed homes) (PDF)

A licensed home may never exceed the capacity on its license, and the provider's own children and an assistant's children younger than school age count. With one staff person: up to 6 children, no more than 2 under 24 months (3 if only infants), or up to 8 if all are ages 3 to 12. With two staff: up to 12, with no more than 4 under 24 months alongside other children (6 if they are the only children). With three staff: up to 12, including up to 6 under 24 months. Trainees and classroom aides do not count.

Provider present 60% of the time

FCCH Rules 6.2.1.4, 6.2.2.3 Effective April 2022 Family child care View rule FCCH Rules 6.2.1.4, 6.2.2.3 (PDF)

The registered or licensed family child care provider must be present and counted in ratio for at least 60% of the hours of operation.

Afterschool ratio 1:13

ASP Rules 6.1–6.5 Effective April 2022 School-age programs View rule ASP Rules 6.1–6.5 (PDF)

The ratio may not exceed 1:13, and no identified group may have more than 26 children. When there are more than 10 children, another staff person must be close by on site to help in an emergency. Staff count only while working directly with children.

Center group sizes

CBCCPP Rules 6.2.1.2, 6.2.1.3 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 6.2.1.2, 6.2.1.3 (PDF)

Maximum groups: 8 for birth to 18 months; 10 for 18 to 30 months and for 24 to 36 months; 15 for 32 to 42 months; 20 for 36 months to kindergarten; 26 for 1st grade and up. The number of children at any one time may never exceed the capacity on the license.

Home capacity caps

FCCH Rules 6.2.1.2, 6.2.2.2 Effective April 2022 Family child care View rule FCCH Rules 6.2.1.2, 6.2.2.2 (PDF)

A registered home may never have more than 10 children (12 under the summer vacation option). A licensed home may never exceed the capacity written on its license, which cannot be more than 12.

Afterschool group size

ASP Rule 6.2 Effective April 2022 School-age programs View rule ASP Rule 6.2 (PDF)

No identified group in an afterschool program may have more than 26 children.

Center director

CBCCPP Rule 7.3.1 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rule 7.3.1 (PDF)

The program director must be at least 21. For up to 12 children, the director must qualify as a teacher associate. For 13 to 59, a teacher associate plus a Vermont Program Director Step One certificate or college courses in program management and curriculum. For 60 or more, a teacher plus 24 more months of experience and a Step Two or Three credential or equivalent college credits. Directors of programs for 13 or more must take a college course in business management within a year, unless the program uses a business manager.

SafePass tip: SafePass staff profiles store certifications and documents with expiration dates, so credentials are in one place for the licensor.

Teacher, teacher associate and teacher assistant

CBCCPP Rules 7.3.2.1–7.3.2.3 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 7.3.2.1–7.3.2.3 (PDF)

A teacher is at least 20 and holds, for example, a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level 4 certificate, a related bachelor's degree plus 12 months' experience, or an Agency of Education early childhood or elementary license. A teacher associate is at least 20 with a high school diploma or GED and, for example, a Career Ladder Level 3, a related associate degree or 21 college credits plus experience, or a registered apprenticeship certificate. A teacher assistant is at least 18 with a diploma or GED and, for example, a Career Ladder Level 1 or 2, a CDA plus 12 months' experience, or the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals course plus experience.

Trainees, aides and substitutes

CBCCPP Rules 7.3.2.4–7.3.2.6 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 7.3.2.4–7.3.2.6 (PDF)

Trainees may be 15 or older and must complete an approved course within their first year. Classroom aides and substitutes must be at least 18 with a diploma or GED. A substitute filling a position for 30 or more days in a year must be fully qualified for it.

Who must be on duty

CBCCPP Rules 6.2.4.1–6.2.4.4, 6.2.4.8 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 6.2.4.1–6.2.4.4, 6.2.4.8 (PDF)

A qualified program director must be on site at least 60% of the hours of operation under the rule, now 40% of the time children are present under CDD's Act 76 variance, and must name someone in charge when away. Each group must be led by at least a teacher associate for 75% of the hours of operation, and someone qualified as at least a teacher assistant must be present whenever children are. Trainees aged 15 to 17 must be directly supervised and may never be left alone with children.

Family child care provider

FCCH Rules 7.3.1, 7.3.2 Effective April 2022 Family child care View rule FCCH Rules 7.3.1, 7.3.2 (PDF)

A registered home provider must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED and, before licensure or within 12 months, one of: a Career Ladder Level 1 certificate, the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals course, a CDA, a Community College of Vermont child care certificate, or 12 college credits. A licensed home provider must meet the same age and diploma rules plus, for example, a Career Ladder Level 2 or 3A certificate, or a CDA, CCV certificate or 12 credits together with 12 months' experience.

Assistants, aides, trainees and substitutes in homes

FCCH Rules 7.3.3–7.3.6 Effective April 2022 Family child care View rule FCCH Rules 7.3.3–7.3.6 (PDF)

A family child care assistant must be 18, with a diploma or GED and the Fundamentals course or 3 college credits within the first year (or a Human Services certificate program). Trainees in homes must be 17 or 18 and enrolled in or graduated from an approved Human Services certificate program. Substitutes must be 18 with a diploma or GED.

Afterschool staff

ASP Rules 5.1–5.6 Effective April 2022 School-age programs View rule ASP Rules 5.1–5.6 (PDF)

The program administrator must be 18 with a bachelor's degree and, for example, 20 months' experience with school-age children or a Vermont credential. A site director needs a bachelor's or associate degree plus experience or a credential. Staff must be 18 with a diploma or equivalent and earn an approved afterschool certificate or degree within the first year. Aides may be 16 but must be within sight or hearing of adult staff.

Checks before working, approval before being alone

CBCCPP Rules 7.2.1–7.2.4 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 7.2.1–7.2.4 (PDF)

Every new staff member and auxiliary staff member, and any new designated representative of the licensee, must submit a Records Check Authorization to CDD and be fingerprinted before working with children. Anyone else regularly present must submit the authorization too. No one may be left alone with children until CDD approves them based on the full check, including fingerprints. CDD may reuse a check completed within the past five years.

SafePass tip: SafePass stores each staff member's background check date and flags checks more than five years old on the Compliance page, which lines up with Vermont's five-year renewal. It does not submit record checks or track fingerprint approval.

Household members and frequent visitors

FCCH Rules 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 2.3.7.2 Effective April 2022 Family child care View rule FCCH Rules 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 2.3.7.2 (PDF)

In a family child care home, all new staff and anyone with unsupervised access to children must be checked and fingerprinted. The provider must also submit Records Check Authorizations for household members 16 or older and anyone present more than five times in 365 days during hours of operation. Applicants must list everyone living in the home.

Renew every five years

CBCCPP Rule 2.3.9.3; FCCH Rule 2.3.8.3 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.3.9.3; FCCH Rule 2.3.8.3 (PDF)

Staff (and, in homes, the provider, everyone living in the home and anyone left alone with children) must submit a new Records Check Authorization, and be fingerprinted when required, at least once every five years. A program must also send a new authorization within one business day after a cleared person reports a change that could affect the clearance (CBCCPP Rule 3.2.6).

Who is disqualified

CBCCPP Rules 7.2.5–7.2.8; FCCH Rules 7.2.5–7.2.8 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rules 7.2.5–7.2.8; FCCH Rules 7.2.5–7.2.8 (PDF)

CDD aims to finish checks within 45 days of the Crime Information Center receiving everything. Barred from operating, working or having unsupervised access: anyone who refuses a check or lies on it; people convicted of fraud; felonies including murder, child abuse, crimes against children, spousal abuse, sexual assault, kidnapping, arson, assault, or a drug offense within five years; certain misdemeanors against children or others; anyone found by a court to have abused a child, elder, disabled person or animal; anyone with a substantiated abuse or neglect report in Vermont's registry; and registered sex offenders. Some of these may ask the Commissioner for a variance. The program must exclude a prohibited person as soon as it is told.

Checks have been slow

Vt. State Auditor Rpt. No. 26-03 (March 4, 2026) CentersFamily child careSchool-age programs View rule Vt. State Auditor Rpt. No. 26-03 (March 4, 2026) (PDF)

The State Auditor found a median of 77 days from submission to completion for new-hire background checks in an August 2025 sample, longer than the 45-day federal limit. Plan hiring with that in mind: new staff cannot be left alone with children until CDD's final approval letter arrives.

Orientation before being left alone

CBCCPP Rule 7.1.3; FCCH Rule 7.1.3 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 7.1.3; FCCH Rule 7.1.3 (PDF)

Staff must complete a CDD-approved orientation before being left alone with children. Family child care providers must complete it before starting care. Trainees, and center staff who are never left alone, have one month. Topics include child development, health and safety, safe sleep, medication, emergencies, food allergies, transportation, release of children, and preventing and reporting child abuse, including sexual abuse and grooming.

Pediatric first aid and CPR

CBCCPP Rule 7.1.2; FCCH Rule 7.1.2; CDD memo of July 30, 2019 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 7.1.2; FCCH Rule 7.1.2; CDD memo of July 30, 2019 (PDF)

At least one person certified in pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR must be on the premises whenever children are present. Center staff counted in ratio must be certified within three months of starting. Family child care providers must be certified before licensure. The family rules give staff counted in ratio in licensed homes six months, but CDD's 2019 memo, still posted with the current rules, says federal law requires all staff to be trained within three months, including substitutes, aides and trainees in registered homes. Use the three-month deadline.

SafePass tip: SafePass tracks each staff certification's expiration date. Staff get a reminder 30 days out, and directors are alerted when one expires.

15 hours a year

CBCCPP Rules 7.4.1–7.4.7; FCCH Rules 7.4.1–7.4.7 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rules 7.4.1–7.4.7; FCCH Rules 7.4.1–7.4.7 (PDF)

Each staff member needs an Individual Professional Development Plan within six months of starting, updated every year, and must complete 15 clock hours of professional development each year. Staff with a qualifying Agency of Education license use the license instead. Under CDD's 2024 memo, substitutes complete 4 hours a year (see Recent changes).

SafePass tip: SafePass keeps dated training records in each staff profile.

Child abuse prevention training

CBCCPP Rules 3.3.5, 3.3.6; 33 V.S.A. § 3502(d)(2) Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 3.3.5, 3.3.6; 33 V.S.A. § 3502(d)(2) (PDF)

Licensees, staff and auxiliary staff must be trained in preventing, recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect, and in preventing child sexual abuse, including grooming and other predatory behavior. State law requires this orientation for everyone working at a licensed facility.

Emergency preparedness training

CBCCPP Rule 3.7.3; FCCH Rule 3.6.3 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 3.7.3; FCCH Rule 3.6.3 (PDF)

Within a year of opening, the licensee or family child care provider must attend emergency preparedness training that covers sheltering in place for an extended period.

Afterschool training

ASP Rules 5.33–5.39; CDD memo of July 30, 2019 Effective April 2022 School-age programs View rule ASP Rules 5.33–5.39; CDD memo of July 30, 2019 (PDF)

Staff need an Individual Professional Development Plan within four months of hire. Each year the administrator and site director complete 12 hours, staff 8 hours (2 focused on the ages they serve), and aides 4 hours. Paid staff counted in ratio need CDD-approved CPR and first aid training within six months of hire under the rule, but CDD's 2019 memo applies the federal three-month deadline to afterschool staff too (ASP Rules 5.39 and 5.41), so use three months.

Supervision

CBCCPP Rule 6.2.6; FCCH Rule 6.2.4 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 6.2.6; FCCH Rule 6.2.4 (PDF)

Staff must be able to see children, except that they must always be able to hear children of pre-kindergarten age and younger, see them with a quick glance and respond immediately. Staff must know where school-age children are at all times. Staff must be outside with children playing outdoors (in a home, school-age children in a fenced yard may be watched from inside). At meals, staff must be positioned to respond to choking.

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.

What to report to CDD

CBCCPP Rules 3.2.1–3.2.5; FCCH Rules 3.1.1–3.1.5 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rules 3.2.1–3.2.5; FCCH Rules 3.1.1–3.1.5 (PDF)

Death of a child: tell CDD immediately and in writing within 24 hours. Injury needing medical or dental treatment: verbal report within 48 hours and written report within 5 business days. Animal bite: report immediately and in writing to CDD and the State Public Health Veterinarian within 24 hours. Fire needing an extinguisher or the fire department: in writing within 48 hours. Missing child: call police, parents and CDD immediately, then a written report within 24 hours. Report anything that could be a serious violation within 24 hours; CDD may issue a warning instead of a violation to a program with a good record that fixes the problem promptly.

SafePass tip: SafePass incident reports record what happened, the action taken and first aid, notify the parent, and capture the parent's e-signature. You still report to CDD yourself.

Incident reports to parents the same day

CBCCPP Rule 5.8.3; FCCH Rule 5.8.3 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.8.3; FCCH Rule 5.8.3 (PDF)

Write an incident report for every accident, injury or medical emergency that leaves a visible mark or needs first aid, with the child's name, date, what happened, adult witnesses, first aid and medical care. Give the parent a copy at pickup that day.

SafePass tip: SafePass incident reports notify the parent and capture the parent's e-signature. Print a copy if your licensor wants it on file.

Mandated reporters

CBCCPP Rules 3.3.1–3.3.7; 33 V.S.A. § 4913 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 3.3.1–3.3.7; 33 V.S.A. § 4913 (PDF)

Licensees and staff are mandated reporters and must call the Child Abuse Hotline within 24 hours of suspecting abuse or neglect. The program needs a written reporting policy and may not retaliate against anyone who reports in good faith.

No tobacco or cannabis

33 V.S.A. § 3504 CentersFamily child careSchool-age programs View rule 33 V.S.A. § 3504

Tobacco, tobacco substitutes such as e-cigarettes, and cannabis may never be used on the premises of a licensed center or afterschool program, indoors or out. In a family child care home they may not be used indoors or in outdoor child care areas while children are in care, and a home where they are used at other times must tell families before enrolling. Cannabis may not be grown in a family child care home.

Corporal punishment is illegal

33 V.S.A. § 3503 CentersFamily child careSchool-age programs View rule 33 V.S.A. § 3503

No one employed by or acting for a licensed or registered child care facility may use corporal punishment. Reasonable force is allowed only to stop a disturbance, take away a dangerous object, or protect people or property.

Secure furniture that could tip

CBCCPP Rule 5.10.1.1.3; FCCH Rule 5.10.1.1.3 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.10.1.1.3; FCCH Rule 5.10.1.1.3 (PDF)

Furniture and equipment must be sturdy, and anything that could tip or fall must be secured. CDD's guide to licensing visits says licensors touch furniture and outdoor equipment to check it.

Outlets, cords and choking hazards

CBCCPP Rules 5.10.1.1.1, 5.10.1.1.2, 5.10.1.1.5, 5.10.1.1.6 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rules 5.10.1.1.1, 5.10.1.1.2, 5.10.1.1.5, 5.10.1.1.6 (PDF)

Protect children from electrical outlets with covers or tamper-resistant outlets, and from cords on blinds, appliances and phones. Children under 3 may not have unsupervised access to objects small enough to fail the federal choke test cylinder (1.25 inches wide, 2.25 inches long). Keep sharp objects out of reach. The family rules have the same requirements.

Firearms and weapons

CBCCPP Rule 5.10.1.12; FCCH Rule 5.10.1.12 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.10.1.12; FCCH Rule 5.10.1.12 (PDF)

No firearms or other weapons, including hunting knives, archery equipment or ammunition, may be at a center. In a family child care home, all firearms and weapons must be locked, and ammunition must be locked and stored separately.

Fire safety in homes

FCCH Rule 5.10.1.2 Effective April 2022 Family child care View rule FCCH Rule 5.10.1.2 (PDF)

Care must be on the ground floor unless another level has two separate exits. A basement used for care needs one exit directly outside (not a bulkhead), and a window can count as the second only if it meets size and height rules. Each floor needs a working smoke detector, with detectors near (in licensed homes, in) rooms where children sleep and carbon monoxide monitors outside sleeping rooms. Mount a tagged 2-A:10BC fire extinguisher near an exit. Centers must comply with all Vermont Division of Fire Safety rules (CBCCPP Rule 5.10.1.2).

Lead paint and lead in water

CBCCPP Rules 5.10.1.8, 2.3.8.8; 18 V.S.A. ch. 38 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 5.10.1.8, 2.3.8.8; 18 V.S.A. ch. 38 (PDF)

Buildings built before 1978 that are not certified lead-free must follow Vermont's Lead Law, including Essential Maintenance Practices to control peeling paint and dust. Drinking water must meet Vermont's lead-in-water testing law, and bottled water must be used until at least one tap meets the standard.

Chemicals and pesticides

CBCCPP Rules 5.10.1.10, 5.10.1.9 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 5.10.1.10, 5.10.1.9 (PDF)

Label hazardous materials and lock up poisons other than routine cleaning supplies, which must be out of children's reach. Air fresheners, aerosol sprays, ozone generators and similar devices may not be used. Use pesticides only when other methods fail, apply them when children are not present, and notify parents and staff in writing five days before a planned application.

Temperature and ventilation

CBCCPP Rule 5.10.1.5 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.10.1.5 (PDF)

Rooms used by children must be 65°F to 85°F measured one foot above the floor, and infant areas at least 68°F at floor level. Unvented kerosene heaters are prohibited, and heaters, fans and air conditioners must be shielded or out of children's reach.

Written emergency response plan

CBCCPP Rule 3.7.1; FCCH Rule 3.6.1 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 3.7.1; FCCH Rule 3.6.1 (PDF)

The plan must cover evacuation and lockdown, local risks such as flooding or a nuclear plant, notifying authorities and parents, the local emergency planning committee, accounting for everyone present, infants and children with special needs, a meeting place within walking distance, relocation and transportation, sheltering in place, and staff roles. CDD's 2024 memo added a process for reunifying children with their families. Train all staff on the plan, review it every year, and make sure parents know where children would be taken.

SafePass tip: SafePass's checked-in list shows who is in care right now, and parent messaging can reach every family at once during a relocation or reunification. SafePass does not log drills.

Monthly evacuation drills

CBCCPP Rule 3.7.2; FCCH Rule 3.6.2 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 3.7.2; FCCH Rule 3.6.2 (PDF)

Post an evacuation diagram in each classroom (in homes, on each level children use). Hold an evacuation drill at least monthly and get everyone out in under three minutes. At least one drill a year must happen while children are sleeping or resting. Centers inside a school may count a lockdown drill in place of an evacuation drill, as long as at least three drills a year are evacuations.

Drill records

CBCCPP Rule 3.4.6.1; FCCH Rule 3.3.6.1 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 3.4.6.1; FCCH Rule 3.3.6.1 (PDF)

Record each drill's date, the number of children and staff evacuated, how long it took, and whether children were sleeping. Keep evacuation records for two years.

SafePass tip: SafePass does not keep drill logs, so record drill dates and times separately.

Working phone and posted numbers

CBCCPP Rule 5.10.1.13; FCCH Rule 5.10.1.13 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.10.1.13; FCCH Rule 5.10.1.13 (PDF)

A working phone must be available whenever children are present. If an answering machine is used, check it every 15 minutes. Post police, fire, ambulance, Poison Center (1-800-222-1222), CDD and the Child Abuse Hotline numbers, plus directions to the program, near the phone, and keep each child's parent, emergency and doctor contacts with it.

SafePass tip: SafePass keeps each child's guardians, emergency contacts, physician and allergy notes on the child's profile, so staff can pull them up on a phone or tablet.

Training and written parent permission

CBCCPP Rules 5.6.1–5.6.6; FCCH Rules 5.6.1–5.6.7 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rules 5.6.1–5.6.6; FCCH Rules 5.6.1–5.6.7 (PDF)

Have a written medication policy. Only staff who completed CDD-approved training may give medication (homes must tell parents if a substitute is not approved). No medication or herbal remedy without the parent's written permission for each medication, listing the child's name and birth date, allergies, medication, dose, time, route, reason, start and end dates and special instructions. Medication must be in its original labeled container and not expired.

SafePass tip: SafePass collects the parent's signed medication request electronically. Staff approve it, and the parent gets a notification at each dose.

Dose log, storage and rescue medication

CBCCPP Rules 5.6.7–5.6.11; FCCH Rules 5.6.8–5.6.12 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rules 5.6.7–5.6.11; FCCH Rules 5.6.8–5.6.12 (PDF)

Record every dose with the amount, time, staff member and any reaction, and keep the records for 365 days. Store all medication, sunscreen, insect repellent and diaper cream out of children's reach, but keep rescue medication such as inhalers and epinephrine immediately accessible. Sunscreen, insect repellent and diaper cream need yearly written permission naming the product.

SafePass tip: SafePass logs each dose with the time, amount and staff name. Add any reaction in the notes.

Immunization records

CBCCPP Rule 5.1.3; FCCH Rule 5.1.3 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.1.3; FCCH Rule 5.1.3 (PDF)

Keep each child's current immunization record with dates. A child catching up on the Vermont schedule, or with a Vermont-allowed exemption, needs the required Department of Health form in the file. Under CDD's 2024 memo, children experiencing homelessness or in foster care get up to six months to provide records.

SafePass tip: SafePass lets parents upload vaccine records. Staff verify them, and the dashboard lists overdue and due-soon doses, with an exemption field.

Yearly immunization report

CBCCPP Rule 5.1.4; FCCH Rule 5.1.4 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.1.4; FCCH Rule 5.1.4 (PDF)

Submit a Vermont Child Care Immunization Report to the Department of Health's Immunization Office at least once every 365 days.

Well-child exam within 45 days

CBCCPP Rule 5.1.2; FCCH Rule 5.1.2 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.1.2; FCCH Rule 5.1.2 (PDF)

Within 45 days of enrollment, get documentation of the child's age-appropriate well-care exam, including any health conditions or medications that affect care.

SafePass tip: SafePass registration packets collect allergies and medical notes, and they show on the child's profile for staff.

What to serve

CBCCPP Rules 5.11.2.1–5.11.2.4; FCCH Rules 5.11.2.1–5.11.2.4 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rules 5.11.2.1–5.11.2.4; FCCH Rules 5.11.2.1–5.11.2.4 (PDF)

Serve at least one snack for 4 hours or less; a meal and a snack for 4 to 6 hours; two meals and a snack (or one meal and two snacks) for 6 to 11 hours; three meals and two snacks for more than 11 hours; and a snack within an hour of arrival for school-age children after a full school day. Meals must meet CACFP patterns. Only 100% juice; no other sweetened drinks. Whole milk for ages 1 to 2, 1% or skim after 2.

Post menus and keep six weeks

CBCCPP Rule 5.11.1.3; FCCH Rule 5.11.1.3 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.11.1.3; FCCH Rule 5.11.1.3 (PDF)

Plan menus in advance, date and post them where parents can see them, note any changes, and keep the last six weeks on file.

SafePass tip: SafePass weekly menus and meal logs show parents what was served and how much their child ate.

Infant feeding

CBCCPP Rule 5.11.6 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.11.6 (PDF)

Get written feeding instructions from parents for each infant, feed on the infant's own schedule, hold infants for bottles (never prop a bottle), label and refrigerate bottles, never microwave formula or breast milk, and follow the storage limits for formula, breast milk and opened baby food.

Allergies and special diets

CBCCPP Rule 5.11.8; FCCH Rule 5.11.8 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.11.8; FCCH Rule 5.11.8 (PDF)

Serve therapeutic diets, or change meals for allergies or intolerances, only with written instructions from the child's health care provider. For family or religious preferences, the parent lists unacceptable foods and allowed substitutes. Staff must know and accommodate each child's food allergies.

Infants on their backs, in a bare crib

CBCCPP Rule 5.4.2; FCCH Rule 5.4.2 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.4.2; FCCH Rule 5.4.2 (PDF)

Always place infants on their backs to sleep, in a crib or portable crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress and fitted sheet. No soft surfaces, pillows, blankets, bumper pads or toys, and no swaddling. Sleep sacks are allowed. Move an infant who falls asleep in a car seat, swing or high chair to a crib as soon as feasible. No bottles in the crib; pacifiers only with parent permission and without cords or clips.

Center: check sleeping infants every 15 minutes

CBCCPP Rule 5.4.1.5 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.4.1.5 (PDF)

Staff supervise children while they nap and must directly observe each sleeping infant at least every 15 minutes, checking the face, skin color and breathing. Lighting must allow those checks.

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.

Home: check every sleeping child every 15 minutes

FCCH Rules 5.4.1.5, 6.2.4.3 Effective April 2022 Family child care View rule FCCH Rules 5.4.1.5, 6.2.4.3 (PDF)

In a family child care home, the provider or staff must directly observe every sleeping child, not just infants, at least every 15 minutes, checking the face, skin color and breathing, and must be positioned to supervise sleeping children.

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.

Cribs and nap equipment

CBCCPP Rules 5.4.1.1–5.4.1.3; FCCH Rules 5.4.1.1–5.4.1.3 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rules 5.4.1.1–5.4.1.3; FCCH Rules 5.4.1.1–5.4.1.3 (PDF)

Every child younger than school age needs an individual crib, cot, mat or bed used by only one child a day; no one naps on the floor. Children under 12 months use cribs, which must meet the federal crib standard (16 C.F.R. Part 1220), with documentation kept for each crib. Remove any crib that does not comply. Children who can climb out may not nap in a crib.

Positive guidance only

CBCCPP Rule 6.2.7; FCCH Rule 6.2.5 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 6.2.7; FCCH Rule 6.2.5 (PDF)

Have a plain-language guidance policy and share it with staff and parents. Prohibited: hitting, shaking, biting or pinching; restraining a child physically, mechanically or with medication; withholding food, water or the toilet; confining a child in a closet, dark area or locked room; humiliating, shaming, threatening or frightening a child; and disparaging a child or family. No punishment for not sleeping, toileting accidents or not eating, and no profanity around children. For a child with a pattern of challenging behavior, work with the parents and professionals on a plan.

Before expelling a child

CBCCPP Rule 6.2.8.4; FCCH Rule 6.2.6.1 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 6.2.8.4; FCCH Rule 6.2.6.1 (PDF)

Work with the parents and professionals on a plan to keep the child enrolled. If that fails, give parents written notice at least five days before expulsion, and give them a full copy of the child's file by the last day.

Each child's file

CBCCPP Rule 3.4.4; FCCH Rule 3.3.4 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 3.4.4; FCCH Rule 3.3.4 (PDF)

Complete within the child's first week: signed admission form with start date and schedule; the child's name, address, home language and birth date; parent contacts; at least two emergency contacts; everyone authorized to pick up; health information, allergies and medications; permission for emergency care; immunization record; transportation and swimming permissions if used; and any custody orders. Update contacts at least yearly, and keep files 365 days after the child leaves. Parents may see their child's records within five business days of asking.

SafePass tip: SafePass registration packets collect guardians, emergency contacts, authorized pickups, physician and allergy information, with a parent signature.

Staff files

CBCCPP Rule 3.4.5 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rule 3.4.5 (PDF)

Keep each staff member's file with contact information, first aid and CPR certificates, a signed mandated-reporter statement, the Records Check Authorization, proof they read the regulations, medication training, job title and supervisor, application and references, start and end dates, orientation, IPDP and yearly performance reviews.

SafePass tip: SafePass staff profiles hold certifications, training records and the background check date for each person.

How long to keep other records

CBCCPP Rule 3.4.6 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rule 3.4.6 (PDF)

Evacuation drill records: 2 years. Incident reports: 24 months. Medication records: 365 days. Pesticide records: 24 months. Daily staff schedules showing hours worked and group assignments: 365 days.

Keep BFIS current

CBCCPP Rules 3.4.7.3–3.4.7.5 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 3.4.7.3–3.4.7.5 (PDF)

Staff left alone with children or counted in ratio, and the program director, need an up-to-date BFIS Quality and Credential Account within six months of hire. Keep the staff list in BFIS current and report changes within five working days.

Record arrival and departure times

CBCCPP Rule 3.4.3; FCCH Rule 3.3.3 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 3.4.3; FCCH Rule 3.3.3 (PDF)

Keep an attendance system that records the time each child arrives and leaves each day, and keep daily attendance records for at least 12 months. CDD can ask for a list of families served and their dates and hours of attendance for the past 12 months.

SafePass tip: SafePass Kiosk records each check-in and check-out with a timestamp and who dropped off or picked up, and it exports attendance reports as PDF.

Release only to authorized people

CBCCPP Rule 3.6; FCCH Rule 3.5 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 3.6; FCCH Rule 3.5 (PDF)

Release a child only to people the parent has authorized, and check the ID of anyone staff do not know. For an emergency phone request to send someone new, verify both the caller and the person picking up, and document it. Either parent may pick up unless a court order in the file says otherwise.

SafePass tip: At check-out, SafePass shows staff the child's guardians and authorized pickups, with photos, and records who picked the child up.

A child who does not arrive

CBCCPP Rule 3.2.4.1; FCCH Rule 3.1.4.1 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 3.2.4.1; FCCH Rule 3.1.4.1 (PDF)

When a child expected from another program or person does not arrive as scheduled and the parent has not called in an absence, contact the parent or authorized person immediately.

Afterschool: no leaving alone without permission

ASP Rule 7.4 Effective April 2022 School-age programs View rule ASP Rule 7.4 (PDF)

Once a child checks in to an afterschool program, the child may leave only with a parent or authorized person, unless the parent has given written permission for the child to leave on their own at a set time.

Car seats under 8

CBCCPP Rule 5.10.6.2; FCCH Rule 5.10.6.2 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.10.6.2; FCCH Rule 5.10.6.2 (PDF)

Children under 8 must ride in a federally approved child restraint suited to their weight and size (unless they ride a bus without seat belts). Older children, the driver and adults must wear seat belts.

Supervision in vehicles and trip logs

CBCCPP Rules 5.10.6.6.2–5.10.6.6.6; FCCH Rules 5.10.6.6.2–5.10.6.6.5 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rules 5.10.6.6.2–5.10.6.6.6; FCCH Rules 5.10.6.6.2–5.10.6.6.5 (PDF)

Never leave a child alone in a vehicle. Ratios apply while transporting. Centers need a second adult besides the driver for more than six children. With three or more children who cannot walk, two staff must be present. Record each trip's date, time, driver, vehicle and children, who received each child, and how you confirmed every child got out of the vehicle.

SafePass tip: SafePass doesn't keep vehicle or transport logs. Use the attendance list to count children on and off the vehicle and keep a separate trip record.

Vehicles, drivers and time limits

CBCCPP Rules 5.10.6.1, 5.10.6.5, 5.10.6.7 Effective April 2022 Centers View rule CBCCPP Rules 5.10.6.1, 5.10.6.5, 5.10.6.7 (PDF)

Vehicles must be registered, inspected, insured, in good repair and carry a first aid kit. Drivers need the right license (a commercial license with passenger endorsement for 16 or more people), must obey traffic laws and may not use a phone while driving. No child may ride more than 45 minutes one way.

Written permission

CBCCPP Rule 5.10.6.6.1; FCCH Rule 5.10.6.6.1 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 5.10.6.6.1; FCCH Rule 5.10.6.6.1 (PDF)

Get parents' written permission before transporting a child, keep it in the child's file, and tell parents when someone not employed by the program may drive their child. Permission to drive a child home must give the address and whether the child may be dropped off without an authorized person present.

Licensors may inspect at any reasonable hour

CBCCPP Rule 2.3.1; FCCH Rule 2.3.1 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.3.1; FCCH Rule 2.3.1 (PDF)

Programs must let CDD and local building, fire and health officials in at reasonable hours, show any required record on request, let licensors interview staff, and never obstruct an inspection. Licensors will try to announce themselves and show identification.

Yearly visits

CBCCPP Rule 2.3.9.4; FCCH memo of Sept. 24, 2024; ASP memo of Sept. 24, 2024 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child careSchool-age programs View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.3.9.4; FCCH memo of Sept. 24, 2024; ASP memo of Sept. 24, 2024 (PDF)

CDD visits each center at least once every 365 days. For family child care homes and afterschool programs, CDD added an unannounced visit at least every 365 days in 2024. During a visit, licensors observe staff with children, check furniture and equipment, open doors and cupboards with permission, and review paperwork.

SafePass tip: SafePass keeps records with dates and times, and it exports attendance reports as PDF for a licensor.

Complaints

CBCCPP Rule 2.3.6; FCCH Rule 2.3.5 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.3.6; FCCH Rule 2.3.5 (PDF)

CDD assesses every complaint and investigates those that concern the rules. It tells the program unless that would endanger a criminal or abuse investigation, reports results in writing, and makes non-confidential information about substantiated complaints available to the public on request.

Corrective action, suspension and revocation

CBCCPP Rules 2.4, 2.5; FCCH Rules 2.4, 2.5 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rules 2.4, 2.5; FCCH Rules 2.4, 2.5 (PDF)

For violations, CDD offers a program improvement plan with a deadline agreed with the program. For imminent risk, repeated noncompliance or failure to correct, CDD can act further: it may suspend a license immediately if children are in serious or imminent danger, and it may deny, refuse to renew or revoke a license for good cause, such as false information or refusing entry. CDD notifies parents when a license is suspended or proposed for revocation.

Posting violations and parent letters

CBCCPP Rule 2.8; FCCH Rule 2.8 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.8; FCCH Rule 2.8 (PDF)

Post site visit reports, violation notices and notices of regulatory action where parents can see them for at least 15 days. For a serious violation (staffing or group size, or anything that immediately endangers children, such as corporal punishment, lack of supervision or inappropriate contact), the program must send a Parental Notification Letter to every enrolled family. Violations stay on the public BFIS website for at least five years.

What the State Auditor found

Vt. State Auditor Rpt. No. 26-03 (March 4, 2026) CentersFamily child careSchool-age programs View rule Vt. State Auditor Rpt. No. 26-03 (March 4, 2026) (PDF)

The auditor found that CDD was inconsistent in documenting serious violations, confirming that parent letters went out and following up on corrections, and that 11 of 40 sampled violations should have been cited as serious (most involving supervision, capacity or staffing). From 2022 through 2024 CDD placed 4 programs on provisional licenses and suspended 13, 12 of which closed. CDD is replacing BFIS.

Appeal within 30 days

CBCCPP Rule 2.6; FCCH Rule 2.6 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.6; FCCH Rule 2.6 (PDF)

A program can appeal a revocation, a denied or downgraded license, a violation cited in a site visit report, or a variance decision. Send a written appeal within 30 days of CDD's notice, choosing a Commissioner's Review (held within 30 days) or a direct appeal to the Human Services Board. Revocations and variance denials go straight to the Board. Commissioner's Review decisions can be appealed to the Board within 30 days. The license stays in effect during an appeal, except that CDD can suspend immediately for serious danger.

Variances

CBCCPP Rule 2.7; FCCH Rule 2.7 Effective April 2022 CentersFamily child care View rule CBCCPP Rule 2.7; FCCH Rule 2.7 (PDF)

The Commissioner can grant a variance in unique circumstances when following a rule literally would cause unnecessary hardship and its intent can be met another way. Apply in writing before making the change, explaining the rule, the hardship and your plan. Decisions are public. A few rules can never be varied, including non-discrimination in enrollment, the written information given to parents, respect for diversity, and equal, respectful treatment of every child.