DCFS Licensing Standards (89 Ill. Admin. Code Part 407) Compliant

Illinois ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with Illinois DCFS Licensing Standards (89 Ill. Admin. Code Part 407) regulations. Bloomily helps Illinois childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Illinois licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Infants 6 weeks to 14 months
1:412 children
toddler
Toddlers 15-23 months
1:515 children
twos
2-year-olds
1:816 children
threes
3-year-olds
1:1020 children
Preschool (3-5 years)
Preschool 4-5 years
1:1020 children
School Age (5+ years)
School-age 6-11 years
1:2030 children

Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.

Required Certifications

Certifications required for Illinois childcare staff

Annual Training (15 hours)

Illinois required 15 hours annual training per 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.140

Renew annuallyDocument required

Background Check (Illinois)

Illinois fingerprint-based background check including CANTS (Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System) per 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.110

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

CANTS Registry Check (Illinois)

Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System check required for all staff

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

ECE Credential (Illinois)

Illinois Gateways ECE credential for lead teachers

Document required

First Aid (Illinois)

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

Pediatric CPR (Illinois)

Infant and child CPR certification required per 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.140

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

SIDS/Safe Sleep Training (Illinois)

Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.140

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Staff Health Assessment (Illinois)

Physical examination and TB test required within 90 days of employment

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.

Emergency Drill Requirements

Required safety drills for Illinois childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

Monthly fire drills required, records maintained 2 years

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Lockdown/Security

Quarterly

Lockdown drills required per emergency preparedness plan

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Evacuation

Twice per year

Evacuation and relocation drills semi-annually

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Severe Weather

Quarterly

Severe weather/tornado drills required quarterly

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

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

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on Illinois DCFS Licensing Standards (89 Ill. Admin. Code Part 407) requirements

Licensing(5)Physical Environment(10)Health Practices(7)Safety Practices(10)Staff Requirements(9)Child Records(7)Supervision(2)

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.40

Licensing

Capacity not exceeded

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.190

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.40

Licensing

Written operational policies available

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.80

Licensing

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.80

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.240

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area adequate and safe

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.260

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained (65-75°F)

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.240

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.240

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.250

Physical Environment

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.250

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.250

Physical Environment

Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.310

Physical Environment

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.260

Physical Environment

Fall zones with resilient surfacing

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.260

Physical Environment

Daily health observation performed

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.320

Health Practices

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.320

Health Practices

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.320

Health Practices

Medications stored locked and inaccessible

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.330

Health Practices

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.340

Health Practices

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.320

Health Practices

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.310

Health Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Safety Practices

Smoke detectors working

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Safety Practices

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Safety Practices

Fire drills conducted monthly

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Safety Practices

Severe weather/tornado drills quarterly

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Safety Practices

Lockdown drills quarterly

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Safety Practices

Evacuation drills semi-annually

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Safety Practices

Drill records maintained (2 years)

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Safety Practices

Emergency preparedness plan posted

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.370

Safety Practices

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.290

Safety Practices

Background check current for all staff

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.110

Staff Requirements

CANTS registry check completed

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.110

Staff Requirements

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.120

Staff Requirements

CPR certification current

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.140

Staff Requirements

First Aid certification current

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.140

Staff Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.190

Staff Requirements

Annual training completed (15 hours)

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.140

Staff Requirements

SIDS/safe sleep training (infant caregivers)

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.140

Staff Requirements

Staff health assessment and TB test on file

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.160

Staff Requirements

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.70

Child Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.70

Child Records

Immunization records on file

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.70

Child Records

Certificate of Child Health Examination on file

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.70

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.70

Child Records

Allergy/special needs documented

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.70

Child Records

Attendance records maintained

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.70

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.190

Supervision

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 407.70

Supervision

Track your Illinois compliance digitally

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

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Nearby State Requirements

IndianaIowaKentuckyMissouriWisconsin

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

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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
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