District of Columbia ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with District of Columbia OSSE Child Development Facility Licensing (5-A DCMR) regulations. Bloomily helps District of Columbia childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for District of Columbia licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 12 months | 1:4 | 8 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Toddlers 12-24 months | 1:4 | 8 children |
Older Toddlers (24-36 months) Older toddlers 24-36 months | 1:6 | 12 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Preschool 3-5 years | 1:8 | 16 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 5+ years | 1:10 | 20 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for District of Columbia childcare staff
Annual Training (DC)
DC requires minimum 18 clock hours annual professional development
Child Development Associate (DC)
CDA credential or equivalent for lead teachers
Child Protection Registry Check (DC)
DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) registry check required
Criminal Background Check (DC)
DC Metropolitan Police and FBI fingerprint background check required
Director Qualifications (DC)
Director qualifications per 5-A DCMR including CDA or higher and experience
First Aid (DC)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Lead Teacher Qualifications (DC)
Lead teacher qualifications per 5-A DCMR regulations
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Mandatory Reporter Training (DC)
DC mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect
Medication Administration (DC)
Medication administration training required
Orientation Training (DC)
Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment
Pediatric CPR (DC)
Infant and child CPR certification required for all caregivers
Safe Sleep Training (DC)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per DC regulations
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for District of Columbia childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, number of children, and evacuation time
Ref: 5-A DCMR 175
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/security drills twice per year
Ref: 5-A DCMR 175
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location annually
Ref: 5-A DCMR 175
Tornado/Severe Weather
Severe weather/shelter-in-place drills quarterly
Ref: 5-A DCMR 175
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on District of Columbia OSSE Child Development Facility Licensing (5-A DCMR) requirements
Current OSSE license posted in visible location
Ref: 5-A DCMR 100
License capacity not exceeded
Ref: 5-A DCMR 100
Operating within licensed hours
Ref: 5-A DCMR 100
Parent handbook current and available
Ref: 5-A DCMR 160
Written policies and procedures current
Ref: 5-A DCMR 160
Fee schedule posted or provided to parents
Ref: 5-A DCMR 160
Liability insurance current and adequate
Ref: 5-A DCMR 102
Required postings visible (license, emergency plans, menus)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 160
OSSE contact information posted
Ref: 5-A DCMR 160
Reporting requirements met (incidents, changes)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 103
All staff have current background clearances (MPD and FBI)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 119
CFSA Child Protection Registry checks completed
Ref: 5-A DCMR 119
Director meets education/experience requirements
Ref: 5-A DCMR 125
Lead teachers meet qualification requirements (CDA or higher)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 127
All staff have current CPR certification
Ref: 5-A DCMR 132
All staff have current First Aid certification
Ref: 5-A DCMR 132
Mandatory reporter training completed (all staff)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 132
Annual training requirements met (18 hours)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 133
Orientation training completed within 90 days
Ref: 5-A DCMR 131
Safe sleep training for infant caregivers
Ref: 5-A DCMR 132
Medication administration training current
Ref: 5-A DCMR 132
Staff files complete with required documentation
Ref: 5-A DCMR 134
Enrollment forms complete for all children
Ref: 5-A DCMR 161
Emergency contact information current
Ref: 5-A DCMR 161
Immunization records current (DOCIIS verified)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 163
Health assessments on file (annual)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 162
Authorized pickup persons documented
Ref: 5-A DCMR 161
Allergy and special health needs documented
Ref: 5-A DCMR 162
Medication authorization forms complete
Ref: 5-A DCMR 164
Individual health care plans current (if applicable)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 162
Daily attendance records maintained
Ref: 5-A DCMR 161
Parent rights acknowledgment signed
Ref: 5-A DCMR 160
First aid kit fully stocked and accessible
Ref: 5-A DCMR 170
Medications stored properly (locked, labeled)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 164
Cleaning and hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: 5-A DCMR 144
Handwashing procedures followed and documented
Ref: 5-A DCMR 168
Diapering and toileting procedures posted
Ref: 5-A DCMR 168
Safe sleep practices followed (infants on back)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 169
Food handling and safety requirements met
Ref: 5-A DCMR 171
Illness exclusion policy current
Ref: 5-A DCMR 167
Water temperature safe (120°F max)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 144
Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited
Ref: 5-A DCMR 145
Fire drill records current (monthly)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 175
Severe weather drill records current (quarterly)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 175
Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)
Ref: 5-A DCMR 175
Emergency evacuation plan posted and current
Ref: 5-A DCMR 175
Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible
Ref: 5-A DCMR 175
Emergency contact lists readily available
Ref: 5-A DCMR 175
Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times
Ref: 5-A DCMR 166
Capital Quality rating posted (if participating)
Ref: Capital Quality
Track your District of Columbia 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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