Idaho ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Idaho DHW Child Care Licensing (IDAPA 16.06.02) regulations. Bloomily helps Idaho childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Idaho licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants 6 weeks to 18 months | 1:6 | 12 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Toddlers 18-36 months | 1:8 | 16 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Three year olds | 1:12 | 24 children |
prek Four and five year olds | 1:15 | 30 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 5+ years | 1:18 | 36 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Idaho childcare staff
Annual Training (Idaho)
Idaho required minimum 8 clock hours annual professional development
Child Protection Central Registry Check
Idaho Child Protection Central Registry check required
Criminal Background Check (Idaho)
Idaho State Police criminal background check and FBI fingerprint check required
Director Qualifications (Idaho)
Director qualifications per IDAPA 16.06.02.300 including education and experience requirements
First Aid (Idaho)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Food Handler Certification (Idaho)
Food handler certification for staff preparing food
Lead Caregiver Qualifications (Idaho)
Lead caregiver qualifications per IDAPA 16.06.02.300
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Mandatory Reporter Training (Idaho)
Idaho mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse
Orientation Training (Idaho)
Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment
Pediatric CPR (Idaho)
Infant and child CPR certification required for all staff
Safe Sleep Training (Idaho)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Idaho childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, and evacuation time
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Earthquake
Semi-annual earthquake/severe weather drills required
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location annually
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Idaho DHW Child Care Licensing (IDAPA 16.06.02) requirements
Current DHW license posted conspicuously
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200
Certificate of occupancy available
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200
Fire inspection report current
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200
Health/sanitation inspection current
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200
Liability insurance documentation current
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200
Parent handbook available and current
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Child records complete and accessible
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Daily attendance records maintained
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Incident/accident reports documented
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
DHW complaint procedures posted
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200
First aid kit stocked and accessible
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Emergency phone numbers posted
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Poison control number posted
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Medications stored properly and locked
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Medication authorization forms complete
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Immunization records current (IRIS verified)
Ref: Idaho Code 39-4801
Hand washing procedures posted
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Diapering/toileting area sanitary
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Cribs meet CPSC safety standards
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Cleaning supplies stored locked away from children
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600
Hazardous materials inaccessible to children
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600
Outlet covers installed throughout facility
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600
Water temperature safe (120°F or below)
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600
Food handling and storage meets standards
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Idaho State Police background checks current
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300
Child Protection Central Registry checks complete
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300
FBI fingerprint checks current
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300
Director qualifications documented
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300
Lead caregiver qualifications documented
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300
Pediatric CPR certifications current
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300
First aid certifications current
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300
Mandatory reporter training completed
Ref: Idaho Code 16-1605
Annual training hours documented (8 hours minimum)
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300
Orientation training completed within 90 days (new staff)
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300
Safe sleep training documented (infant caregivers)
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Staff personnel files complete
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300
Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.400
Fire drill records current (monthly)
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Earthquake/severe weather drill records current (semi-annual)
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Full evacuation drill completed (annual)
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Emergency evacuation plan posted
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Smoke detectors functional
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700
Emergency contact information for all children accessible
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500
Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600
Outdoor play area safe and enclosed
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600
Children supervised at all times
Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.400
IdahoSTARS quality rating posted (if participating)
Ref: IdahoSTARS
Track your Idaho 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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