Colorado ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Colorado CDEC Rules Regulating Child Care Centers (12 CCR 2509-8) regulations. Bloomily helps Colorado childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Colorado licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 12 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Young toddlers 12-18 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
toddler Older toddlers 18-36 months | 1:7 | 14 children |
threes 3-year-olds | 1:10 | 20 children |
fours_fives 4 and 5-year-olds | 1:12 | 24 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 6+ years | 1:15 | 30 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Colorado childcare staff
Annual Training (15 hours)
Colorado required 15 clock hours annual professional development per 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.44
Background Check (Colorado)
CBI/FBI fingerprint-based background check per 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.42
Director Qualification (Colorado)
Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential or equivalent per 12 CCR 2509-8
First Aid (Colorado)
First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Medication Administration (Colorado)
Training required for staff administering medications
Pediatric CPR (Colorado)
Infant and child CPR certification required per 12 CCR 2509-8
Safe Sleep Training (Colorado)
Safe sleep practices training for infant caregivers
Staff Health Statement (Colorado)
Statement of health including TB screening as required
TRAILS Child Abuse Check (Colorado)
Colorado child abuse and neglect registry check required for all staff
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Colorado childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, and number of children
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate site annually
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Severe Weather
Shelter-in-place/severe weather drills quarterly
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Colorado CDEC Rules Regulating Child Care Centers (12 CCR 2509-8) requirements
License displayed in prominent location
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.11
Capacity not exceeded
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.11
Operating within licensed hours
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.11
Written operational policies available
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.11
Parent handbook current and distributed
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.11
Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
Temperature maintained appropriately
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
Adequate lighting in all areas
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
Handwashing facilities available
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
Drinking water readily accessible
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
Outdoor equipment safe and maintained
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
Fall zones with resilient surfacing
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
Daily health observation performed
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62
Handwashing procedures followed
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62
Diapering area sanitized properly
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62
Medications stored locked and inaccessible
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.63
First aid supplies stocked and accessible
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62
Illness exclusion policy enforced
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62
Fire extinguishers inspected annually
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Smoke detectors working
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Emergency exits marked and unobstructed
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Fire drills conducted monthly
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Severe weather drills quarterly
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Lockdown drills semi-annually
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Evacuation drill annually
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Drill records documented properly
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Emergency plan posted
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51
CBI/FBI background check current for all staff
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.42
TRAILS child abuse check completed
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.42
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.41
CPR certification current
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.44
First Aid certification current
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.44
Staff-to-child ratios maintained
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.53
Annual training completed (15 hours)
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.44
Medication administration training current
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.63
Health statement on file
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.42
Safe sleep training (infant caregivers)
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.44
Enrollment forms complete
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61
Emergency contact information current
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61
Immunization records on file (CO Certificate)
Ref: C.R.S. 25-4-901
Physical exam within 30 days of enrollment
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61
Allergy/special needs documented
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61
Children supervised at all times
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.53
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61
Track your Colorado compliance digitally
Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
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