OSSE Child Development Facility Licensing (5-A DCMR) Compliant

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.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for District of Columbia licensed childcare facilities

Age Group	Staff : Children	Max Group Size	Regulation
infant_toddler 0–24 months per §121.3(a). Production data incorrectly split this into two bands (0-12 and 12-24) with a max_group of 8 each; the regulation sets a single 0–24 month band with max_group 8.	1:4	8 children	5-A DCMR § 121.3(a)–(b), Final Rulemaking at 63 DCR 14640 (December 2, 2016), effective December 2, 2016
Older Toddlers (24-36 months) 24–30 months per §121.3(a). Production and prior-research data both had wrong ratio (1:6 and 1:8 respectively) for this band; correct is 1:4, max_group 12.	1:4	12 children	5-A DCMR § 121.3(a)–(b), Final Rulemaking at 63 DCR 14640 (December 2, 2016), effective December 2, 2016
preschool_young 30 months–48 months per §121.3(a). Production data had this band starting at 24 months with ratio 1:6; prior-research had two bands at 30-35 and 36-47 months. Correct is 30–48 months, 1:8, max 16.	1:8	16 children	5-A DCMR § 121.3(a)–(b), Final Rulemaking at 63 DCR 14640 (December 2, 2016), effective December 2, 2016
preschool_older 48–60 months per §121.3(a). Production had 36-60 months at 1:8; correct is 48–60 months at 1:10.	1:10	20 children	5-A DCMR § 121.3(a)–(b), Final Rulemaking at 63 DCR 14640 (December 2, 2016), effective December 2, 2016
School Age (5+ years) 6 years and older per §121.3(b) out-of-school-time care: 1:15, max group 30. Upper bound 168 months (14 years) per production. Note: regulation also specifies 1:12/max 24 for under-6-year-olds in out-of-school-time settings, but this band covers the primary school-age population (6+).	1:15	30 children	5-A DCMR § 121.3(a)–(b), Final Rulemaking at 63 DCR 14640 (December 2, 2016), effective December 2, 2016

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

Renew annuallyDocument required

Child Development Associate (DC)

CDA credential or equivalent for lead teachers

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Child Protection Registry Check (DC)

DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) registry check required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Criminal Background Check (DC)

DC Metropolitan Police and FBI fingerprint background check required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Director Qualifications (DC)

Director qualifications per 5-A DCMR including CDA or higher and experience

Document required

First Aid (DC)

Pediatric first aid certification required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Lead Teacher Qualifications (DC)

Lead teacher qualifications per 5-A DCMR regulations

Document required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Mandatory Reporter Training (DC)

DC mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Medication Administration (DC)

Medication administration training required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Orientation Training (DC)

Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment

Document required

Pediatric CPR (DC)

Infant and child CPR certification required for all caregivers

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep Training (DC)

Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per DC regulations

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 District of Columbia childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

§122.24: fire drills at least monthly; written log maintained at facility. This is mandated by §405 of the International Fire Code (IFC 2014) as incorporated by reference.

Ref: 5-A DCMR § 122.24 (fire drills); § 148.1 (emergency evacuation and disaster drills), Final Rulemaking at 63 DCR 14640 (December 2, 2016)

Evacuation

Twice per year

§148.1: emergency evacuation and disaster drills at least twice per year (semi-annually), at varying times during program day, in accordance with FEMS requirements. Covers both evacuation and shelter-in-place scenarios. Production data listed evacuation as 'annual' — this is incorrect; the regulation requires at least twice per year.

Ref: 5-A DCMR § 122.24 (fire drills); § 148.1 (emergency evacuation and disaster drills), Final Rulemaking at 63 DCR 14640 (December 2, 2016)

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

District of Columbia Pre-Inspection Checklist

Based on OSSE Child Development Facility Licensing (5-A DCMR) requirements • 50 items • Generated from bloomily.app

Center Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________

Licensing

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

Staff

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

Records

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

Health

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

Emergency

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

Operations

Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times

Ref: 5-A DCMR 166

Capital Quality rating posted (if participating)

Ref: Capital Quality

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

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on District of Columbia OSSE Child Development Facility Licensing (5-A DCMR) requirements

Licensing(10)Staff(12)Records(10)Health(10)Emergency(6)Operations(2)

Current OSSE license posted in visible location

Ref: 5-A DCMR 100

Licensing

License capacity not exceeded

Ref: 5-A DCMR 100

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: 5-A DCMR 100

Licensing

Parent handbook current and available

Ref: 5-A DCMR 160

Licensing

Written policies and procedures current

Ref: 5-A DCMR 160

Licensing

Fee schedule posted or provided to parents

Ref: 5-A DCMR 160

Licensing

Liability insurance current and adequate

Ref: 5-A DCMR 102

Licensing

Required postings visible (license, emergency plans, menus)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 160

Licensing

OSSE contact information posted

Ref: 5-A DCMR 160

Licensing

Reporting requirements met (incidents, changes)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 103

Licensing

All staff have current background clearances (MPD and FBI)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 119

Staff

CFSA Child Protection Registry checks completed

Ref: 5-A DCMR 119

Staff

Director meets education/experience requirements

Ref: 5-A DCMR 125

Staff

Lead teachers meet qualification requirements (CDA or higher)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 127

Staff

All staff have current CPR certification

Ref: 5-A DCMR 132

Staff

All staff have current First Aid certification

Ref: 5-A DCMR 132

Staff

Mandatory reporter training completed (all staff)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 132

Staff

Annual training requirements met (18 hours)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 133

Staff

Orientation training completed within 90 days

Ref: 5-A DCMR 131

Staff

Safe sleep training for infant caregivers

Ref: 5-A DCMR 132

Staff

Medication administration training current

Ref: 5-A DCMR 132

Staff

Staff files complete with required documentation

Ref: 5-A DCMR 134

Staff

Enrollment forms complete for all children

Ref: 5-A DCMR 161

Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: 5-A DCMR 161

Records

Immunization records current (DOCIIS verified)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 163

Records

Health assessments on file (annual)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 162

Records

Authorized pickup persons documented

Ref: 5-A DCMR 161

Records

Allergy and special health needs documented

Ref: 5-A DCMR 162

Records

Medication authorization forms complete

Ref: 5-A DCMR 164

Records

Individual health care plans current (if applicable)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 162

Records

Daily attendance records maintained

Ref: 5-A DCMR 161

Records

Parent rights acknowledgment signed

Ref: 5-A DCMR 160

Records

First aid kit fully stocked and accessible

Ref: 5-A DCMR 170

Health

Medications stored properly (locked, labeled)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 164

Health

Cleaning and hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: 5-A DCMR 144

Health

Handwashing procedures followed and documented

Ref: 5-A DCMR 168

Health

Diapering and toileting procedures posted

Ref: 5-A DCMR 168

Health

Safe sleep practices followed (infants on back)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 169

Health

Food handling and safety requirements met

Ref: 5-A DCMR 171

Health

Illness exclusion policy current

Ref: 5-A DCMR 167

Health

Water temperature safe (120°F max)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 144

Health

Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited

Ref: 5-A DCMR 145

Health

Fire drill records current (monthly)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 175

Emergency

Severe weather drill records current (quarterly)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 175

Emergency

Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)

Ref: 5-A DCMR 175

Emergency

Emergency evacuation plan posted and current

Ref: 5-A DCMR 175

Emergency

Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible

Ref: 5-A DCMR 175

Emergency

Emergency contact lists readily available

Ref: 5-A DCMR 175

Emergency

Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times

Ref: 5-A DCMR 166

Operations

Capital Quality rating posted (if participating)

Ref: Capital Quality

Operations

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District of Columbia 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

Maryland Virginia

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

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