ADHS Child Care Facility Rules (AAC R9-5) Compliant

Arizona ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with Arizona ADHS Child Care Facility Rules (AAC R9-5) regulations. Bloomily helps Arizona childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

No card · Nothing to install · You can't break anything

60-day money-back guaranteeSetup in 15 minutes

Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Arizona licensed childcare facilities

Age Group	Staff : Children	Max Group Size	Regulation
Infants (0-12 months) Regulation also allows 2:11 as alternative when two staff are present together	1:5	—	Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5-404 (Staff-to-children Ratios)
ones Regulation also allows 2:13 as alternative when two staff are present together	1:6	—	Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5-404 (Staff-to-children Ratios)
twos	1:8	—	Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5-404 (Staff-to-children Ratios)
threes	1:13	—	Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5-404 (Staff-to-children Ratios)
fours	1:15	—	Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5-404 (Staff-to-children Ratios)
fives 5-year-olds not yet in kindergarten	1:20	—	Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5-404 (Staff-to-children Ratios)
School Age (5+ years) Kindergarten and older; Arizona does not set a statutory maximum group size for any age group	1:20	—	Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5-404 (Staff-to-children Ratios)

Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.

Required Certifications

Certifications required for Arizona childcare staff

Annual Training (18 hours)

Arizona ADHS required annual health and safety training for center staff

Renew annuallyDocument required

DCS Central Registry Check

Arizona Department of Child Safety Central Registry clearance

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Fingerprint Clearance Card (Arizona)

Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card - required for all staff

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

First Aid (Arizona)

First aid certification with practical skills component

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Food Handler Certificate (Arizona)

Arizona food handler certification for staff preparing food

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Pediatric CPR (Arizona)

Infant and child CPR with hands-on demonstration component - required per AAC R9-5-403

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

TB Clearance (Arizona)

Proof of freedom from tuberculosis

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.

Emergency Drill Requirements

Required safety drills for Arizona childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

At least once a month, at different times of day, licensee must conduct an unannounced fire and emergency evacuation drill; documentation retained 12 months; at least one nap-time drill per year per AZDHS guidance

Ref: Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5 (Article 5 — Facility Program; fire/emergency evacuation drill form AZDHS bccl; R9-5-514 for written emergency plan)

Evacuation

Monthly

Combined with fire drill — monthly unannounced fire and emergency evacuation drills cover general evacuation; same requirement and documentation

Ref: Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5 (Article 5 — Facility Program; fire/emergency evacuation drill form AZDHS bccl; R9-5-514 for written emergency plan)

Recommended Drills

Lockdown/Security

Annually

Required as part of written emergency plan (R9-5-514) but no separately mandated drill frequency in regulation; annually used as placeholder

Ref: Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5 (Article 5 — Facility Program; fire/emergency evacuation drill form AZDHS bccl; R9-5-514 for written emergency plan)

Shelter in Place

Annually

Required as part of written emergency plan (R9-5-514) but no separately mandated drill frequency in regulation; annually used as placeholder

Ref: Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-5 (Article 5 — Facility Program; fire/emergency evacuation drill form AZDHS bccl; R9-5-514 for written emergency plan)

Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.

Arizona Pre-Inspection Checklist

Based on ADHS Child Care Facility Rules (AAC R9-5) requirements • 50 items • Generated from bloomily.app

Center Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________

Licensing

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: R9-5-203

Permit capacity not exceeded

Ref: R9-5-203

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: R9-5-203

Written operational policies available

Ref: R9-5-301

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: R9-5-301

Physical Environment

Indoor space meets minimum requirements

Ref: R9-5-601

Outdoor play area adequate and safe

Ref: R9-5-602

Temperature maintained appropriately

Ref: R9-5-601

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: R9-5-601

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: R9-5-601

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: R9-5-601

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: R9-5-601

Napping equipment clean and appropriate

Ref: R9-5-601

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: R9-5-602

Shade structures adequate for Arizona sun

Ref: R9-5-602

Health Practices

Health checks performed at arrival

Ref: R9-5-506

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: R9-5-506

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: R9-5-506

Medications stored and administered properly

Ref: R9-5-509

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: R9-5-510

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: R9-5-506

Sun protection measures in place

Ref: R9-5-506

Safety Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: R9-5-605

Smoke detectors working

Ref: R9-5-605

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: R9-5-605

Fire drills conducted monthly at varying times

Ref: R9-5-605

Nap-time fire drill conducted annually

Ref: R9-5-605

Drill documentation maintained (12 months)

Ref: R9-5-605

Emergency preparedness plan posted

Ref: R9-5-605

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: R9-5-604

Swimming pool secured with lifeguard (if applicable)

Ref: R9-5-514

Staff Requirements

Fingerprint Clearance Cards current for all staff

Ref: R9-5-401

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: R9-5-401

CPR certification current (all caregivers)

Ref: R9-5-403

First Aid certification current

Ref: R9-5-403

Annual training hours completed (18 hrs)

Ref: R9-5-403

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: R9-5-404

DCS Central Registry check completed

Ref: R9-5-401

TB clearance on file

Ref: R9-5-402

Child Records

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: R9-5-308

Emergency contact information current

Ref: R9-5-308

Immunization records on file

Ref: R9-5-308

Health information documented

Ref: R9-5-308

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: R9-5-308

Allergy/special needs documented

Ref: R9-5-308

Attendance records maintained

Ref: R9-5-308

Supervision

Children supervised at all times

Ref: R9-5-404

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: R9-5-404

Director/designee present when 6+ children

Ref: R9-5-404

Infants separated from non-infants when 6+

Ref: R9-5-404

This checklist is provided for reference only. Always verify requirements with your state licensing agency.

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on Arizona ADHS Child Care Facility Rules (AAC R9-5) requirements

Licensing(5)Physical Environment(10)Health Practices(7)Safety Practices(9)Staff Requirements(8)Child Records(7)Supervision(4)

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: R9-5-203

Licensing

Permit capacity not exceeded

Ref: R9-5-203

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: R9-5-203

Licensing

Written operational policies available

Ref: R9-5-301

Licensing

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: R9-5-301

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum requirements

Ref: R9-5-601

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area adequate and safe

Ref: R9-5-602

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained appropriately

Ref: R9-5-601

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: R9-5-601

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: R9-5-601

Physical Environment

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: R9-5-601

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: R9-5-601

Physical Environment

Napping equipment clean and appropriate

Ref: R9-5-601

Physical Environment

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: R9-5-602

Physical Environment

Shade structures adequate for Arizona sun

Ref: R9-5-602

Physical Environment

Health checks performed at arrival

Ref: R9-5-506

Health Practices

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: R9-5-506

Health Practices

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: R9-5-506

Health Practices

Medications stored and administered properly

Ref: R9-5-509

Health Practices

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: R9-5-510

Health Practices

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: R9-5-506

Health Practices

Sun protection measures in place

Ref: R9-5-506

Health Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: R9-5-605

Safety Practices

Smoke detectors working

Ref: R9-5-605

Safety Practices

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: R9-5-605

Safety Practices

Fire drills conducted monthly at varying times

Ref: R9-5-605

Safety Practices

Nap-time fire drill conducted annually

Ref: R9-5-605

Safety Practices

Drill documentation maintained (12 months)

Ref: R9-5-605

Safety Practices

Emergency preparedness plan posted

Ref: R9-5-605

Safety Practices

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: R9-5-604

Safety Practices

Swimming pool secured with lifeguard (if applicable)

Ref: R9-5-514

Safety Practices

Fingerprint Clearance Cards current for all staff

Ref: R9-5-401

Staff Requirements

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: R9-5-401

Staff Requirements

CPR certification current (all caregivers)

Ref: R9-5-403

Staff Requirements

First Aid certification current

Ref: R9-5-403

Staff Requirements

Annual training hours completed (18 hrs)

Ref: R9-5-403

Staff Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: R9-5-404

Staff Requirements

DCS Central Registry check completed

Ref: R9-5-401

Staff Requirements

TB clearance on file

Ref: R9-5-402

Staff Requirements

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: R9-5-308

Child Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: R9-5-308

Child Records

Immunization records on file

Ref: R9-5-308

Child Records

Health information documented

Ref: R9-5-308

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: R9-5-308

Child Records

Allergy/special needs documented

Ref: R9-5-308

Child Records

Attendance records maintained

Ref: R9-5-308

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: R9-5-404

Supervision

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: R9-5-404

Supervision

Director/designee present when 6+ children

Ref: R9-5-404

Supervision

Infants separated from non-infants when 6+

Ref: R9-5-404

Supervision

Track your Arizona compliance digitally

Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.

No card · Nothing to install · You can't break anything

Cancel anytimeFlat monthly pricingSetup in 10 minutes

Arizona compliance and operations resources

Health and safety featuresTrack incidents, medication, immunizations, and safety workflows.Ratio calculatorCalculate staff-to-child ratios for your classrooms.Attendance softwareMonitor rosters, ratios, check-in, and pickup in real time.Daycare management softwareRun compliance, attendance, billing, and parent communication together.Daily reports guideImprove parent communication with consistent daily reports.Meal tracking guidePlan meal records, parent updates, and billing connections.

Nearby State Requirements

California Colorado Nevada New Mexico Utah

Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.

View All States·Health & Safety Features·Book a Demo

Ready to simplify Arizona compliance?

Join childcare centers across Arizona that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.

Real-time staff-to-child ratio monitoring

Automated certification expiration alerts

Pre-inspection checklist management

Emergency drill scheduling and tracking

Digital parent communication

Mobile check-in/check-out kiosks

No card · Nothing to install · You can't break anything

60-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime.