FSSA Child Care Center Licensing Rules (470 IAC 3-4.7) Compliant

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.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Indiana licensed childcare facilities

Age Group	Staff : Children	Max Group Size	Regulation
Infants (0-12 months) Regulation labels this 'Infant'. Definition sec.1(43): infant = at least 6 weeks until walks unassisted. Upper bound 12 months matches standard infant/toddler break and is consistent with sec.50 (max 13-month age range in infant/toddler groups) and sec.52 (alternative mixed-age groups cap at 36 months with infant ratio 4:1).	1:4	8 children	470 IAC 3-4.7-47 (Child/staff ratio chart), 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 (Child/staff ratios and supervision), 470 IAC 3-4.7-49 (Child grouping policies); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 130-131)
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Regulation labels this 'Toddler' (sec.1(74): toddler = less than 30 months, walks unassisted). Ratio 5:1 applies to the younger toddler band 12-24 months.	1:5	10 children	470 IAC 3-4.7-47 (Child/staff ratio chart), 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 (Child/staff ratios and supervision), 470 IAC 3-4.7-49 (Child grouping policies); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 130-131)
toddler Regulation labels this '2 years' in the ratio chart. Covers 24-29 months (exclusive max 30). Ratio 5:1.	1:5	10 children	470 IAC 3-4.7-47 (Child/staff ratio chart), 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 (Child/staff ratios and supervision), 470 IAC 3-4.7-49 (Child grouping policies); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 130-131)
twos Regulation labels this '30-36 months'. Sec.49(e): when all 2-year-olds in a group are at least 30 months, ratio is 7:1. Sec.49(d) also allows grouping 30-36 month children with 3-year-olds.	1:7	14 children	470 IAC 3-4.7-47 (Child/staff ratio chart), 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 (Child/staff ratios and supervision), 470 IAC 3-4.7-49 (Child grouping policies); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 130-131)
preschool_3 Regulation labels this '3 years'. Covers 36-47 months (exclusive max 48).	1:10	20 children	470 IAC 3-4.7-47 (Child/staff ratio chart), 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 (Child/staff ratios and supervision), 470 IAC 3-4.7-49 (Child grouping policies); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 130-131)
preschool_4 Regulation labels this '4 years'. Covers 48-59 months (exclusive max 60).	1:12	24 children	470 IAC 3-4.7-47 (Child/staff ratio chart), 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 (Child/staff ratios and supervision), 470 IAC 3-4.7-49 (Child grouping policies); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 130-131)
School Age (5+ years) Regulation labels this '5 years and older' with ratio 15:1 and max group 30. Upper bound 156 months (13 years) per sec.1(11): 'Child means any person under thirteen (13) years of age.' Production data erroneously split this into a 'kindergarten' (60-72, ratio 15) and 'school_age' (72-168, ratio 20) band — the ratio 20 value does not appear anywhere in 470 IAC 3-4.7-47; there is a single band for all children 5 years and older.	1:15	30 children	470 IAC 3-4.7-47 (Child/staff ratio chart), 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 (Child/staff ratios and supervision), 470 IAC 3-4.7-49 (Child grouping policies); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 130-131)

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

Renew annuallyDocument required

Background Check (Indiana)

Indiana state and national fingerprint-based background check per 470 IAC 3-4.7-20

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

CDA or Equivalent (Indiana)

Child Development Associate credential or equivalent for lead caregivers

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Child Abuse Recognition (Indiana)

Child abuse and neglect recognition training required per 470 IAC 3-4.7-24

Renew annuallyDocument required

Director Credential (Indiana)

Indiana Child Care Director Credential or equivalent per 470 IAC 3-4.7-21

Document required

First Aid (Indiana)

Pediatric first aid certification required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Health Verification (Indiana)

Staff health verification including TB screening

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

National Criminal History Check (Indiana)

FBI fingerprint-based national criminal history check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Pediatric CPR (Indiana)

Infant and child CPR certification required per 470 IAC 3-4.7-23

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep Training (Indiana)

Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per 470 IAC 3-4.7-69

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

SIDS Prevention (Indiana)

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prevention training for infant caregivers

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

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

Sec.103(a): 'Staff shall conduct fire drills in accordance with the rules of the FPBSC under 675 IAC. Drills shall be conducted monthly and the records available to document compliance.'

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-103 (Emergency drills); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 149)

Shelter in Place

Twice per year

Sec.103(b)(3): 'Earthquake, every six (6) months.' Earthquake drills required every 6 months. Mapped to shelter_in_place as the closest type for earthquake response procedures.

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-103 (Emergency drills); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 149)

Evacuation

Twice per year

Sec.103(b)(2): 'Floods, every six (6) months.' Flood evacuation drills required every 6 months.

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-103 (Emergency drills); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 149)

Tornado/Severe Weather

Monthly

Sec.103(b)(1): 'Tornadoes, on a monthly basis.' Indiana is tornado-prone statewide; the regulation mandates monthly tornado evacuation drills.

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-103 (Emergency drills); Indiana Administrative Code Title 470, Rule 4.7, Child Care Centers; Licensing (filed Aug 11, 2003, 27 IR 149)

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

Indiana Pre-Inspection Checklist

Based on FSSA Child Care Center Licensing Rules (470 IAC 3-4.7) requirements • 50 items • Generated from bloomily.app

Center Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________

Licensing

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

Physical Environment

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

Health & Safety

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

Staff Requirements

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

Ratios

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

Child Records

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

Operations

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

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

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on Indiana FSSA Child Care Center Licensing Rules (470 IAC 3-4.7) requirements

Licensing(5)Physical Environment(8)Health & Safety(12)Staff Requirements(11)Ratios(5)Child Records(6)Operations(3)

License posted in visible location

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-3

Licensing

License capacity not exceeded

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-3

Licensing

Operational policies current and available

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-4

Licensing

Parent handbook distributed to all families

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-4

Licensing

OECOSL inspection reports available

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-3

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-34

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area meets minimum (75 sq ft per child)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-35

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained 65-75°F

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-36

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting and ventilation

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-36

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-38

Physical Environment

Handwashing sinks accessible to children

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-38

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily available

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-38

Physical Environment

Napping equipment clean and appropriate

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-69

Physical Environment

First aid kit fully stocked and accessible

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-56

Health & Safety

Medications stored in locked cabinet

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63

Health & Safety

Emergency medications readily accessible

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63

Health & Safety

Cleaning supplies stored out of reach

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41

Health & Safety

Hazardous materials secured from children

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41

Health & Safety

Emergency evacuation plan posted

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55

Health & Safety

Fire drill log current (monthly drills)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55

Health & Safety

Tornado drill log current (monthly during season)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55

Health & Safety

Lockdown drill log current (quarterly)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55

Health & Safety

Evacuation to alternate site drill (semi-annual)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55

Health & Safety

Outdoor equipment safe and age-appropriate

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-35

Health & Safety

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-69

Health & Safety

Background checks current for all staff

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-20

Staff Requirements

National fingerprint check completed

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-20

Staff Requirements

Director has required credential/education

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-21

Staff Requirements

Lead caregivers have CDA or equivalent

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-22

Staff Requirements

All staff have current CPR certification

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-23

Staff Requirements

All staff have current First Aid certification

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-23

Staff Requirements

Annual training (20 hours) documented

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-24

Staff Requirements

Child abuse recognition training completed

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-24

Staff Requirements

Safe sleep training (infant caregivers)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-69

Staff Requirements

SIDS prevention training (infant caregivers)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-69

Staff Requirements

Staff health verifications on file

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-25

Staff Requirements

Infant ratio maintained (1:4, max group 8)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-46

Ratios

Young toddler ratio maintained (1:5, max group 10)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-46

Ratios

Toddler ratio maintained (1:5, max group 10)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-46

Ratios

Preschool ratio maintained (1:10, max group 20)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-46

Ratios

Pre-K ratio maintained (1:12, max group 24)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-46

Ratios

Emergency contact forms complete for all children

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59

Child Records

Immunization records current (CHIRP or provider)

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59

Child Records

Physical exam within 30 days of enrollment

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59

Child Records

Allergy information documented and accessible

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59

Child Records

Medication authorization forms on file

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59

Child Records

Daily attendance records maintained

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59

Operations

Children supervised at all times

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-44

Operations

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: 470 IAC 3-4.7-59

Operations

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Indiana compliance and operations resources

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