Indiana ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Indiana FSSA Child Care Center Licensing Rules (470 IAC 3-4.7) regulations. Bloomily helps Indiana childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Indiana 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 | 1:5 | 10 children |
toddler Toddlers 24-30 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
twos Children 2.5-3 years | 1:7 | 14 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Preschool 3-4 years | 1:10 | 20 children |
prek Pre-K 4-5 years | 1:12 | 24 children |
kindergarten Kindergarten | 1:15 | 30 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 6+ years | 1:20 | 30 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Indiana childcare staff
Annual Training (20 hours)
Indiana required 20 hours annual professional development per 470 IAC 3-4.7-24
Background Check (Indiana)
Indiana state and national fingerprint-based background check per 470 IAC 3-4.7-20
CDA or Equivalent (Indiana)
Child Development Associate credential or equivalent for lead caregivers
Child Abuse Recognition (Indiana)
Child abuse and neglect recognition training required per 470 IAC 3-4.7-24
Director Credential (Indiana)
Indiana Child Care Director Credential or equivalent per 470 IAC 3-4.7-21
First Aid (Indiana)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Health Verification (Indiana)
Staff health verification including TB screening
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
National Criminal History Check (Indiana)
FBI fingerprint-based national criminal history check required
Pediatric CPR (Indiana)
Infant and child CPR certification required per 470 IAC 3-4.7-23
Safe Sleep Training (Indiana)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per 470 IAC 3-4.7-69
SIDS Prevention (Indiana)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prevention training for infant caregivers
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Indiana childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, and evacuation time
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/intruder drills quarterly
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location twice per year
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55
Severe Weather
Monthly tornado drills during tornado season (March-June)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Indiana FSSA Child Care Center Licensing Rules (470 IAC 3-4.7) requirements
License posted in visible location
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-3
License capacity not exceeded
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-3
Operational policies current and available
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-4
Parent handbook distributed to all families
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-4
OECOSL inspection reports available
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-3
Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-34
Outdoor play area meets minimum (75 sq ft per child)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-35
Temperature maintained 65-75°F
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-36
Adequate lighting and ventilation
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-36
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-38
Handwashing sinks accessible to children
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-38
Drinking water readily available
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-38
Napping equipment clean and appropriate
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-69
First aid kit fully stocked and accessible
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-56
Medications stored in locked cabinet
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63
Emergency medications readily accessible
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63
Cleaning supplies stored out of reach
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41
Hazardous materials secured from children
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41
Emergency evacuation plan posted
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55
Fire drill log current (monthly drills)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55
Tornado drill log current (monthly during season)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55
Lockdown drill log current (quarterly)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55
Evacuation to alternate site drill (semi-annual)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55
Outdoor equipment safe and age-appropriate
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-35
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-69
Background checks current for all staff
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-20
National fingerprint check completed
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-20
Director has required credential/education
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-21
Lead caregivers have CDA or equivalent
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-22
All staff have current CPR certification
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-23
All staff have current First Aid certification
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-23
Annual training (20 hours) documented
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-24
Child abuse recognition training completed
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-24
Safe sleep training (infant caregivers)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-69
SIDS prevention training (infant caregivers)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-69
Staff health verifications on file
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-25
Infant ratio maintained (1:4, max group 8)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-46
Young toddler ratio maintained (1:5, max group 10)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-46
Toddler ratio maintained (1:5, max group 10)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-46
Preschool ratio maintained (1:10, max group 20)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-46
Pre-K ratio maintained (1:12, max group 24)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-46
Emergency contact forms complete for all children
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59
Immunization records current (CHIRP or provider)
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59
Physical exam within 30 days of enrollment
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59
Allergy information documented and accessible
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59
Medication authorization forms on file
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59
Daily attendance records maintained
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59
Children supervised at all times
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-44
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59
Track your Indiana 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.
Ready to simplify Indiana compliance?
Join childcare centers across Indiana that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.
60-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime.