CDEC Rules Regulating Child Care Centers (12 CCR 2509-8) Compliant

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.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Colorado licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
6 weeks to 18 months per reg; band starts at 0 months
1:510 children
Young Toddlers (12-24 months)
12–23 month band in reg; 18–24 bridge keeps exclusive-max contiguous, ratio unchanged at 1:5
1:510 children
toddler_24
24–29 months per reg: 1 staff to 7 toddlers
1:714 children
toddler_30
2½–3 years (30–35 months) per reg: 1 staff to 8 children
1:816 children
preschool_3
3–4 years per reg: 1 staff to 10 children
1:1020 children
preschool_4
4–5 years per reg: 1 staff to 12 children
1:1224 children
School Age (5+ years)
5 years and older per reg: 1 staff to 15 children; upper bound 156 mo (13 yr) per CO licensing scope
1:1530 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

Renew annuallyDocument required

Background Check (Colorado)

CBI/FBI fingerprint-based background check per 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.42

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Director Qualification (Colorado)

Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential or equivalent per 12 CCR 2509-8

Document required

First Aid (Colorado)

First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Medication Administration (Colorado)

Training required for staff administering medications

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Pediatric CPR (Colorado)

Infant and child CPR certification required per 12 CCR 2509-8

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep Training (Colorado)

Safe sleep practices training for infant caregivers

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Staff Health Statement (Colorado)

Statement of health including TB screening as required

Renew every 48 monthsDocument required

TRAILS Child Abuse Check (Colorado)

Colorado child abuse and neglect registry check required for all staff

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

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

Monthly fire drills at unexpected times and varying conditions; consistent with local fire department procedures

Ref: 8 CCR 1402-1-2.138 (Colorado Dept. of Early Childhood, Fire, Natural Disaster, and Emergency Drills)

Lockdown/Security

Quarterly

Lockdown and active-shooter drills at least quarterly; staff must complete Dept-approved training

Ref: 8 CCR 1402-1-2.138 (Colorado Dept. of Early Childhood, Fire, Natural Disaster, and Emergency Drills)

Shelter in Place

Quarterly

Shelter-in-place included in the quarterly emergency drill requirement alongside lockdown

Ref: 8 CCR 1402-1-2.138 (Colorado Dept. of Early Childhood, Fire, Natural Disaster, and Emergency Drills)

Tornado/Severe Weather

Monthly

Tornado drills monthly from March through October only (seasonal); closest monthly frequency applies

Ref: 8 CCR 1402-1-2.138 (Colorado Dept. of Early Childhood, Fire, Natural Disaster, and Emergency Drills)

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

Licensing(5)Physical Environment(10)Health Practices(7)Safety Practices(10)Staff Requirements(10)Child Records(6)Supervision(2)

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.11

Licensing

Capacity not exceeded

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.11

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.11

Licensing

Written operational policies available

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.11

Licensing

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.11

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained appropriately

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Physical Environment

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Physical Environment

Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Physical Environment

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Physical Environment

Fall zones with resilient surfacing

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Physical Environment

Daily health observation performed

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62

Health Practices

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62

Health Practices

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62

Health Practices

Medications stored locked and inaccessible

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.63

Health Practices

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62

Health Practices

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62

Health Practices

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.62

Health Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72

Safety Practices

Smoke detectors working

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72

Safety Practices

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72

Safety Practices

Fire drills conducted monthly

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72

Safety Practices

Severe weather drills quarterly

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72

Safety Practices

Lockdown drills semi-annually

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72

Safety Practices

Evacuation drill annually

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72

Safety Practices

Drill records documented properly

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72

Safety Practices

Emergency plan posted

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.72

Safety Practices

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.51

Safety Practices

CBI/FBI background check current for all staff

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.42

Staff Requirements

TRAILS child abuse check completed

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.42

Staff Requirements

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.41

Staff Requirements

CPR certification current

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.44

Staff Requirements

First Aid certification current

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.44

Staff Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.53

Staff Requirements

Annual training completed (15 hours)

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.44

Staff Requirements

Medication administration training current

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.63

Staff Requirements

Health statement on file

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.42

Staff Requirements

Safe sleep training (infant caregivers)

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.44

Staff Requirements

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61

Child Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61

Child Records

Immunization records on file (CO Certificate)

Ref: C.R.S. 25-4-901

Child Records

Physical exam within 30 days of enrollment

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61

Child Records

Allergy/special needs documented

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.53

Supervision

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: 12 CCR 2509-8 Section 7.702.61

Supervision

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Colorado compliance and operations resources

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Nearby State Requirements

ArizonaKansasNebraskaNew MexicoOklahomaUtah

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

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Real-time staff-to-child ratio monitoring
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Pre-inspection checklist management
Emergency drill scheduling and tracking
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