DHW Child Care Licensing (IDAPA 16.06.02) Compliant

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.

No card · Nothing to install · You can't break anything

60-day money-back guaranteeSetup in 15 minutes

Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Idaho licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Point system: 2.0 pts/child; 12 pts max per staff → floor(12/2.0)=6. HB 243 (eff. July 1 2025) retained the 2-pt value for under-24-months; prior law was same. No state-mandated maximum group size under HB 243 (deregulation removed the old IDAPA 16.06.02.400 group-size caps).
1:6—
toddler
Point system: 1.33 pts/child (reduced from 1.5 by HB 243); 12 pts max per staff → floor(12/1.333)=9. Prior law ratio was 8 (1.5 pts → 12/1.5=8).
1:9—
Preschool (3-5 years)
Point system: 0.923 pts/child (=12/13; reduced from 1.0 by HB 243); 12 pts max per staff → floor(12/0.923)=13. Prior law ratio was 12 (1.0 pt → 12/1.0=12). Age band covers 3-year-olds through children not yet 5.
1:13—
School Age (5+ years)
Point system: 0.48 pts/child (=12/25); 12 pts max per staff → floor(12/0.48)=25. Covers age 5 years up to under 13 years (156 months). HB 243 introduced this as a new explicit point value; prior law had 0.5 pts/child (ratio 24). No state maximum group size under HB 243.
1:25—

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

Renew annuallyDocument required

Child Protection Central Registry Check

Idaho Child Protection Central Registry check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Criminal Background Check (Idaho)

Idaho State Police criminal background check and FBI fingerprint check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Director Qualifications (Idaho)

Director qualifications per IDAPA 16.06.02.300 including education and experience requirements

Document required

First Aid (Idaho)

Pediatric first aid certification required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Food Handler Certification (Idaho)

Food handler certification for staff preparing food

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Lead Caregiver Qualifications (Idaho)

Lead caregiver qualifications per IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Document required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Mandatory Reporter Training (Idaho)

Idaho mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Orientation Training (Idaho)

Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment

Document required

Pediatric CPR (Idaho)

Infant and child CPR certification required for all staff

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep Training (Idaho)

Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers

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 Idaho childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Twice per year

IDAPA 16.06.02 requires fire and evacuation drills on a routine schedule at least two (2) times per year; all staff and children must participate. Production data incorrectly listed this as monthly — the regulation specifies semi-annually (2x/year).

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02 (Rules Governing Standards for Child Care Licensing), fire/evacuation drill requirement per IDAPA 16.06.02 emergency planning provisions (at least 2 times per year); disaster drill per IDAPA 16.06.02.721 (at least 1 annual non-fire disaster drill)

Shelter in Place

Annually

IDAPA 16.06.02.721 requires at least one annual disaster drill simulating an emergency other than fire (e.g., earthquake, gas leak, bomb threat, or other hazard requiring evacuation or shelter in place). Mapped to shelter_in_place as the representative non-fire disaster drill type.

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02 (Rules Governing Standards for Child Care Licensing), fire/evacuation drill requirement per IDAPA 16.06.02 emergency planning provisions (at least 2 times per year); disaster drill per IDAPA 16.06.02.721 (at least 1 annual non-fire disaster drill)

Evacuation

Twice per year

Fire and evacuation drills are conducted together; at least 2 times per year per IDAPA 16.06.02 emergency planning rules.

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02 (Rules Governing Standards for Child Care Licensing), fire/evacuation drill requirement per IDAPA 16.06.02 emergency planning provisions (at least 2 times per year); disaster drill per IDAPA 16.06.02.721 (at least 1 annual non-fire disaster drill)

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

Licensing(10)Health & Safety(15)Staff(13)Emergency(8)Operations(4)

Current DHW license posted conspicuously

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200

Licensing

Certificate of occupancy available

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200

Licensing

Fire inspection report current

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200

Licensing

Health/sanitation inspection current

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200

Licensing

Liability insurance documentation current

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200

Licensing

Parent handbook available and current

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Licensing

Child records complete and accessible

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Licensing

Daily attendance records maintained

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Licensing

Incident/accident reports documented

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Licensing

DHW complaint procedures posted

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.200

Licensing

First aid kit stocked and accessible

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700

Health & Safety

Emergency phone numbers posted

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700

Health & Safety

Poison control number posted

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700

Health & Safety

Medications stored properly and locked

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Health & Safety

Medication authorization forms complete

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Health & Safety

Immunization records current (IRIS verified)

Ref: Idaho Code 39-4801

Health & Safety

Hand washing procedures posted

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Health & Safety

Diapering/toileting area sanitary

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Health & Safety

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Health & Safety

Cribs meet CPSC safety standards

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Health & Safety

Cleaning supplies stored locked away from children

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600

Health & Safety

Hazardous materials inaccessible to children

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600

Health & Safety

Outlet covers installed throughout facility

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600

Health & Safety

Water temperature safe (120°F or below)

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600

Health & Safety

Food handling and storage meets standards

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Health & Safety

Idaho State Police background checks current

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Staff

Child Protection Central Registry checks complete

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Staff

FBI fingerprint checks current

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Staff

Director qualifications documented

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Staff

Lead caregiver qualifications documented

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Staff

Pediatric CPR certifications current

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Staff

First aid certifications current

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Staff

Mandatory reporter training completed

Ref: Idaho Code 16-1605

Staff

Annual training hours documented (8 hours minimum)

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Staff

Orientation training completed within 90 days (new staff)

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Staff

Safe sleep training documented (infant caregivers)

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Staff

Staff personnel files complete

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.300

Staff

Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.400

Staff

Fire drill records current (monthly)

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700

Emergency

Earthquake/severe weather drill records current (semi-annual)

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700

Emergency

Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700

Emergency

Full evacuation drill completed (annual)

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700

Emergency

Emergency evacuation plan posted

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700

Emergency

Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700

Emergency

Smoke detectors functional

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.700

Emergency

Emergency contact information for all children accessible

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.500

Emergency

Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600

Operations

Outdoor play area safe and enclosed

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.600

Operations

Children supervised at all times

Ref: IDAPA 16.06.02.400

Operations

IdahoSTARS quality rating posted (if participating)

Ref: IdahoSTARS

Operations

Track your Idaho compliance digitally

Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.

No card · Nothing to install · You can't break anything

Cancel anytimeFlat monthly pricingSetup in 10 minutes

Idaho 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

MontanaNevadaOregonUtahWashingtonWyoming

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

View All States·Health & Safety Features·Book a Demo

Ready to simplify Idaho compliance?

Join childcare centers across Idaho that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.

Real-time staff-to-child ratio monitoring
Automated certification expiration alerts
Pre-inspection checklist management
Emergency drill scheduling and tracking
Digital parent communication
Mobile check-in/check-out kiosks

No card · Nothing to install · You can't break anything

60-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime.