Washington Daycare Self-Inspection Checklist (Printable)

Recent and upcoming changes (2024–2027)

More mixed-age time for centers RCW 43.216.255(2); ESHB 2219 (2026 c 82) Centers Since June 11, 2026, centers may combine age groups for up to 2.5 hours a day on a schedule the center chooses, or up to 4 hours a day if at least 90 minutes of that time is used for staff meal and rest breaks.
No opioids, drug equipment or paraphernalia anywhere in licensed space RCW 43.216.255(1)(a), (d); ESHB 2219 (2026 c 82) Centers · Family child care
Orientation waiver RCW 43.216.263; ESHB 2219 (2026 c 82) Centers · Family child care DCYF must waive the preservice orientation for someone who completed the applicable orientation less than five years ago, if the orientation content and licensing process have not substantially changed and the person…
School-day ECEAP and Head Start exemption RCW 43.216.010(2)(j); EHB 2317 (2026 c 54) Centers Since June 11, 2026, school-day ECEAP and Head Start programs located in a public school or community or technical college building, or on its premises, don't need a DCYF child care license.
ECE certificate deadline moved to August 1, 2030 WAC 110-300-0100; E2SHB 1648 (2025 c 281); RCW 43.216.757 Centers · Family child care The deadline for directors, family home licensees, lead teachers and assistant teachers to hold the required early childhood education (ECE) certificate moved from August 1, 2026 to August 1, 2030 (rule effective August…
Abuse and neglect now includes trafficking WAC 110-300-0005, -0475 (WSR 26-09-080) Centers · Family child care Effective May 15, 2026, DCYF updated the definition of "abuse or neglect" used in the child care rules to match RCW 26.44.020, which now includes sex trafficking, severe forms of trafficking in persons, and female…
Three-month training window; family home waiver capped at 16 WAC 110-300-0106, -0358 (WSR 25-01-087) Centers · Family child care Effective January 13, 2025, new staff have up to three months from hire to finish required health and safety training, including first aid and CPR, but must finish before working unsupervised.
Discipline rule rewritten WAC 110-300-0331 (WSR 25-02-097) Centers · Family child care Effective January 30, 2025, DCYF amended the prohibited-discipline rule because the earlier wording did not clearly forbid providers from harming children.
Dual child care and foster care licenses WAC 110-300-0430 (WSR 24-17-063) Family child care Since September 15, 2024, a family home may hold both a child care license and a foster family home license.
Subsidy claims tied to attendance (July 2027) RCW 43.216.8275; SHB 2689 (2026 c 264) Centers · Family child care Starting July 1, 2027, providers taking Working Connections subsidy can claim the full authorized days for a child who attended 16 or more days in a month, up to 15 days for 9–15 days of attendance, and up to 11 days…

Who needs a license, and what kind

License posted and current; capacity and ages match the license WAC 110-300-0010 Centers · Family child care
Who is exempt RCW 43.216.010(2) Centers · Family child care Exempt: relatives and legal guardians; occasional care for a neighbor's or friend's child that isn't an ongoing business (advertising counts as business); parent co-ops that swap care; nursery schools where no child…
Annual fee, declaration and background checks submitted 30 days before license anniversary WAC 110-300-0425; RCW 43.216.305, 43.216.315 Centers · Family child care
License fees WAC 110-300-0401 Centers · Family child care The rule sets the annual fee at $30 for family homes and $125 for centers covering the first 12 children plus $12 for each additional child, "or as otherwise set by the legislature." The fee is nonrefundable, due with…
Changes you must report within 24 hours WAC 110-300-0425(7) Centers · Family child care Report to DCYF within 24 hours: fire or structural damage; abuse or neglect allegations against you, staff, volunteers or household members; a change of director or program supervisor; a change of ownership; criminal…
School-age and outdoor nature-based programs WAC 110-301-0010; WAC 110-302-0356 Centers · School-age programs Programs serving only school-age children are licensed under chapter 110-301 WAC (1:15 ratio, group of 30).
Operating without a license WAC 110-300-0020; RCW 43.216.365 Centers · Family child care If DCYF finds unlicensed care, it sends a notice to stop.

Staff-to-child ratios

Each room within its ratio and group size for the youngest child present WAC 110-300-0356(5) Centers
Mixing ages at the start and end of the day RCW 43.216.255(2); WAC 110-300-0356(6) Centers When a center combines age groups, it must keep the ratio and group size for the youngest child present.
Planned mixed-age classrooms WAC 110-300-0357 Centers Centers may run mixed-age groups if they tell DCYF their policy and staff for the youngest child.
When a family home needs a second staff member WAC 110-300-0355(10)–(11) Family child care Two staff are required whenever there are more than 6 children and any child is under 2; more than 8 children and any child is under 3; or more than 10 children and any child is under school age.
One staff member alone WAC 110-300-0356(10); 110-300-0345(2) Centers A single staff member may care for the only group on site for up to an hour at the beginning or end of the day, if they have no other duties and a second person with a cleared background check is on site and available …
Water activities WAC 110-300-0350 Centers · Family child care With written parent permission only. Infants in water need 1:1 staffing and continuous touch; toddlers stay within arm's length.

Group size and family home capacity

Total children (including own) within licensed capacity and age limits WAC 110-300-0355(7)–(9) Family child care
Family home waiver for 13–16 children WAC 110-300-0358; RCW 43.216.692 Family child care Under the Fair Start for Kids Act, DCYF can let a family home serve 13 to 16 children.
Indoor space WAC 110-300-0354 Centers · Family child care Licensed indoor space must have at least 35 square feet per child.
Daily outdoor walk-through done; fence and gates intact WAC 110-300-0145 Centers · Family child care

Staff qualifications

Family home licensee WAC 110-300-0100(1) Family child care At least 18, with a high school diploma or equivalent and the preservice requirements done when applying.
Center director, assistant director and program supervisor WAC 110-300-0100(2)–(5) Centers At least 18. ECE state certificate (or equivalent) by August 1, 2030, or within five years of hire.
Lead and assistant teachers WAC 110-300-0100(6)–(7) Centers · Family child care Both must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Aides and volunteers WAC 110-300-0100(8)–(10) Centers · Family child care Aides must be at least 14, in high school or a graduate, and may count in ratio only under continuous oversight of qualified staff.
Experience-based competency (until 2030) RCW 43.216.757 Centers · Family child care Until August 1, 2030, staff can meet a certificate requirement through experience-based competency documented in MERIT: active employment in the role, continuous licensed child care employment since August 1, 2021 (or…

Background checks

Background clearance on file for every staff member, volunteer and household member 16+ WAC 110-06-0041; RCW 43.216.270(2) Centers · Family child care
Renewal every five years RCW 43.216.270(2)(f); WAC 110-06-0040 Centers · Family child care A clearance is valid for five years, and DCYF's current guidance (FAQ revised May 2026) says checks must be renewed every five years with new fingerprints.
Minors in the program or the home WAC 110-06-0045 Centers · Family child care Workers aged 14–15 need a minor background check before starting.
Fees and appeals WAC 110-06-0044; 110-06-0100 Centers · Family child care The person checked pays the fingerprint fees plus DCYF's $12 administrative fee.

Training hours

Preservice: orientation and TB screen WAC 110-300-0105 Centers · Family child care Applicants, family home licensees, directors, assistant directors and program supervisors complete DCYF's orientation (waived in some cases since 2026).
Every staff member's required trainings and first aid/CPR current WAC 110-300-0106 Centers · Family child care
First aid and CPR in every group WAC 110-300-0106(11)(a); 110-300-0230 Centers · Family child care At least one staff member counted in ratio for each group must hold current adult and pediatric first aid and CPR (and infant CPR if infants are served).
Ten hours of annual in-service WAC 110-300-0107 Centers · Family child care After 12 months of cumulative employment, each provider completes 10 hours of in-service training every year.

Health and safety

Supervision WAC 110-300-0345 Centers · Family child care Staff must scan, check children often, position themselves to see all areas and be able to step in.
Sending sick children home WAC 110-300-0205 Centers · Family child care Send home or separate anyone with a fever of 101°F or higher (100.4°F under 2 months) plus other symptoms; vomiting twice in 24 hours; diarrhea more than two stools above normal; an unexplained rash; uncovered draining…
Reporting incidents WAC 110-300-0475 Centers · Family child care Call 911 immediately, then DCYF within 24 hours, for a missing child, a medical emergency, a medication overdose or wrong medication, fire, or poisoning (also call the Washington Poison Center).
Food allergies WAC 110-300-0186 Centers · Family child care For a child with a food allergy, get an individual care plan from the child's health care provider and parent listing foods to avoid, substitutes and the treatment plan.
Handwashing and hand sanitizer WAC 110-300-0200; 110-300-0215(3)(a)(iv) Centers · Family child care Staff and children wash hands (warm water, soap, at least 20 seconds) at arrival, after toileting and diapering, before and after food, after outdoor play and animals, and after body fluids.

Facility, furniture and hazards

TVs, dressers, bookshelves and cabinets anchored to the wall WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f) Centers · Family child care
Choking, cords and weapons WAC 110-300-0165(2) Centers · Family child care Keep items 1¾ inches or smaller away from infants and toddlers.
Temperature, windows, stairs and outlets WAC 110-300-0165(4)–(5) Centers · Family child care Indoor space must stay between 68 and 82°F, and tap water children can reach must be no hotter than 120°F.
Monthly fire hazard inspection and detector test recorded WAC 110-300-0170 Centers · Family child care
Chemicals WAC 110-300-0260 Centers · Family child care Store detergents, disinfectants, fuels and anything labeled "keep out of reach of children" in original or labeled containers, away from food, in storage that children can't get into (locking doors or another barrier).

Emergency preparedness

Written emergency plan WAC 110-300-0470(1)–(3) Centers · Family child care The plan covers fire and evacuation (floor plan, alarms, how you'll move non-walkers, relocation site, what to take), earthquakes, lockdown and shelter-in-place, keeping ratios and accounting for children, and…
Monthly fire drill and quarterly earthquake/lockdown drill recorded on DCYF form WAC 110-300-0470(4) Centers · Family child care
Exits, lighting and phone WAC 110-300-0166 Centers · Family child care Keep a working flashlight with spare batteries and a phone with at least 5 hours of backup power.

Medication

Consent and labels WAC 110-300-0215(2)–(3) Centers · Family child care Get written, signed parent consent. Prescription medicine must be labeled for the child and come with an authorization form listing the medical need and side effects.
Medication log complete for every dose; medicine stored out of reach WAC 110-300-0215(3)(b)–(c) Centers · Family child care

Immunizations

Current CIS or COE on file for every child, collected annually WAC 110-300-0210 Centers · Family child care

Nutrition

Meal schedule WAC 110-300-0180 Centers · Family child care Serve food every 2 to 3 hours. Children in care 5–9 hours get one meal and two snacks (or two meals and one snack); over 9 hours, two meals and two snacks (or one meal and three snacks).
Menus and drinks WAC 110-300-0185 Centers · Family child care Follow CACFP or school meal standards and post dated menus.

Safe sleep

Infants on back in empty cribs; visual check every 15 minutes WAC 110-300-0291(1) Centers · Family child care
If you're cited for safe sleep WAC 110-300-0291(2) Centers · Family child care Post the violation notice for two weeks or until corrected, whichever is longer, and within five business days give every enrolled family a letter describing the violation plus written safe sleep information.
Cribs, mats and rest time WAC 110-300-0290; 110-300-0265 Centers · Family child care Cribs must meet the federal crib standards (16 C.F.R. 1219/1220) and be 30 inches apart side by side.

Discipline and behavior

Prohibited discipline WAC 110-300-0331 Centers · Family child care Banned: hitting, spanking, shaking or any physical punishment; threats, yelling, shaming, sarcasm and slurs; restricting breathing; binding, taping or confining (including in car seats or high chairs); withholding food,…
Restraint and expulsion WAC 110-300-0335; 110-300-0340 Centers · Family child care Restraint is allowed only when safety is threatened: gentle holding, as briefly as possible, never with ties, blankets, car seats or an adult's weight.

Records and parent handbook

Child records WAC 110-300-0460 Centers · Family child care Each child's file includes birth date, parent contacts, emergency contacts, authorized pickups, signed permissions (field trips, transportation, bathing, water activities, photos/video), enrollment dates, and a health…
How long to keep records WAC 110-300-0465 Centers · Family child care Keep records at least three years (attendance five years, pesticide records seven).
Parent handbook WAC 110-300-0450 Centers · Family child care Give each family written policies and keep signed proof they reviewed them.
What to post WAC 110-300-0505; RCW 43.216.687 Centers · Family child care Post your license, an emergency floor plan, handwashing and diapering steps, emergency numbers (911, DCYF, Poison Center, CPS), "no smoking/no vaping" signs, any waiver, insurance status, any safe sleep notice, and any…

Attendance and sign-in/sign-out

Every child signed in and out by an authorized adult with times WAC 110-300-0455(1)–(2) Centers · Family child care
Requirements for electronic attendance WAC 110-300-0455(4)–(5) Centers · Family child care Electronic systems must capture an e-signature, swipe card, PIN, biometric or similar action (or a staff note of who dropped off or picked up).
Staff attendance by classroom WAC 110-300-0455(3) Centers · Family child care For each classroom or family home program, record each staff member and volunteer by name, their start and end times, the date, the number of children, and the staff-to-child ratio.
Authorized pickups WAC 110-300-0460(2)(d); 110-300-0345(1) Centers · Family child care Keep names and phone numbers of everyone authorized to pick up each child.

Transportation and field trips

Roll call recorded at every vehicle entry and exit; vehicle checked empty WAC 110-300-0480(1)–(2) Centers · Family child care
Vehicles and drivers WAC 110-300-0480(3) Centers · Family child care Follow car seat laws, stay within seating capacity, keep the vehicle in safe repair with current registration and reflective triangles, and carry insurance covering driver, vehicle and passengers.

Inspections and enforcement

Annual unannounced monitoring visits DCYF Policy 10.1.8; WAC 110-300-0035 Centers · Family child care DCYF policy (effective January 1, 2026) requires a monitoring visit at least once each fiscal year (July 1–June 30), unannounced and with children present.
Compliance agreements and probationary licenses WAC 110-300-0440 Centers · Family child care For many violations DCYF issues a facility licensing compliance agreement (FLCA) with a correction date.
Fines and license actions WAC 110-300-0443; RCW 43.216.325 Centers · Family child care Fines are up to $250 per day per violation for centers and $150 for family homes ("or as otherwise set by the legislature"), due within 28 days.
Public reports RCW 43.216.689; 43.216.687 Centers · Family child care DCYF must make inspection reports and enforcement notices public, with the corrective measures taken, and may post them online.

Disputing findings and appeals

Internal review of inspection findings RCW 43.216.395; WAC 110-300-0440(3) Centers · Family child care For findings that don't involve a health and safety standard, request DCYF's internal review within 10 days of the inspection report.
Hearing on fines or license actions RCW 43.216.327, 43.216.335; WAC 110-300-0443(2); ch. 110-03 WAC Centers · Family child care To contest a fine, denial, suspension, revocation or modification, send a written request for an adjudicative hearing that DCYF receives within 28 days of receiving the notice, with a copy of the notice and your reasons.

Washington daycare self-inspection checklist

Recent and upcoming changes (2024–2027)

Who needs a license, and what kind

Staff-to-child ratios

Group size and family home capacity

Staff qualifications

Background checks

Training hours

Health and safety

Facility, furniture and hazards

Emergency preparedness

Medication

Immunizations

Nutrition

Safe sleep

Discipline and behavior

Records and parent handbook

Attendance and sign-in/sign-out

Transportation and field trips

Inspections and enforcement

Disputing findings and appeals

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