Maine ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Maine OCFS Child Care Licensing Rules (10-148 CMR Chapter 32) regulations. Bloomily helps Maine childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Maine licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) 6 weeks to 12 months; minimum age 6 weeks (no child under 6 weeks may be enrolled) | 1:4 | 8 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Regulation table offers two paired options for this band: 1:4/max-group-12 OR 1:5/max-group-10. Both are permitted configurations; ratio=5 and max_group=10 is the more permissive option facilities may elect. | 1:5 | 10 children |
Older Toddlers (24-36 months) 2.5 to 3.5 years; single ratio in regulation | 1:7 | 21 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Regulation labels this '3 years to under 5 years' (42-60 months). Two paired options: 1:8/max-group-24 OR 1:10/max-group-20. Both are permitted; ratio=10 and max_group=20 is the more permissive option facilities may elect. | 1:10 | 20 children |
School Age (5+ years) 5 years to 12 years; regulation lists no maximum group size for this band | 1:13 | — |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Maine childcare staff
Annual Training (Maine)
Maine requires minimum 30 clock hours annual professional development
Child Protective Services Registry Check (Maine)
Maine DHHS Child Protective Services registry check required
Criminal Background Check (Maine)
Maine State Bureau of Investigation criminal background check and FBI fingerprint check required
Director Qualifications (Maine)
Director qualifications per 10-148 CMR Chapter 32 including education, experience, and Maine Roads to Quality credential
First Aid (Maine)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Food Handler Certification (Maine)
Food safety training for staff preparing food
Health Statement (Maine)
Health statement from physician required for all staff
Lead Teacher Qualifications (Maine)
Lead teacher qualifications per 10-148 CMR Chapter 32
Maine Roads to Quality Registry (Maine)
Registration in Maine Roads to Quality professional development registry
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Mandatory Reporter Training (Maine)
Maine mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect
Medication Administration Training (Maine)
Training required for staff who administer medication
Orientation Training (Maine)
Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment
Pediatric CPR (Maine)
Infant and child CPR certification required for all caregivers
Safe Sleep Training (Maine)
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 Maine childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Fire evacuation drills must be conducted at least once a month for all children and adults present using at least two means of exit. Records kept for preceding 3 years.
Ref: 10-148 C.M.R. ch. 32, § 14(P)-(Q) — Fire evacuation drills and Emergency preparedness plan (effective 9-27-21)
Evacuation
Emergency preparedness evacuation drill at least twice per year (non-fire scenarios). Dates recorded and available for review. Simulated drill is acceptable.
Ref: 10-148 C.M.R. ch. 32, § 14(P)-(Q) — Fire evacuation drills and Emergency preparedness plan (effective 9-27-21)
Recommended Drills
Shelter in Place
Lockdown and shelter-in-place are defined in the regulation and must be addressed in the written emergency preparedness plan, which staff review annually. No separately mandated drill frequency for lockdown or shelter-in-place.
Ref: 10-148 C.M.R. ch. 32, § 14(P)-(Q) — Fire evacuation drills and Emergency preparedness plan (effective 9-27-21)
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Maine Pre-Inspection Checklist
Based on OCFS Child Care Licensing Rules (10-148 CMR Chapter 32) requirements • 50 items • Generated from bloomily.app
Center Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________
Licensing
Current OCFS license posted and visible
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §3
License capacity and age groups displayed
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §3
Liability insurance current and on file
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §5
Parent handbook available with policies
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §4
Attendance records maintained daily
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Incident/accident reports documented
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Complaint procedures posted
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §4
Emergency procedures posted in each room
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Operating hours posted
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §3
Fee schedule available to parents
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §4
Staff
All staff have current background checks (ME and FBI)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §6
CPS registry checks completed
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §6
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §7
Lead teachers meet qualification requirements
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §7
All staff have current pediatric CPR certification
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
All staff have current first aid certification
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
Annual training hours documented (30 hours minimum)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
Mandatory reporter training current
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
Safe sleep training for infant caregivers
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
Health statement on file for all staff
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §6
Maine Roads to Quality registry current
Ref: MRTQ
Staff orientation completed within 90 days
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
Records
Enrollment forms complete for each child
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Emergency contact information current
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Immunization records current (medical exemptions only)
Ref: 10-144 CMR Ch. 261
Health information on file for each child
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Allergy and special needs documented
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Authorized pickup persons documented
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Medication authorization forms complete
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §12
Field trip/transportation permission on file
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §13
Health
First aid kits stocked and accessible
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §12
Medications stored properly (locked)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §12
Cleaning and sanitizing procedures followed
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Handwashing procedures posted
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Diapering and toileting procedures followed
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Safe sleep practices followed for infants
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Food handling and safety requirements met
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §12
Food safety training current (food prep staff)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §12
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Emergency
Fire drill records current (monthly)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Severe weather drill records current (quarterly)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Full evacuation drill completed (annual)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Emergency evacuation plan posted and current
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Operations
Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §9
Outdoor play area safe and enclosed
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §9
Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §9
Quality for ME rating posted (if participating)
Ref: Quality for ME
This checklist is provided for reference only. Always verify requirements with your state licensing agency.
© 2026 Bloomily • bloomily.app/childcare-licensing/me
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Maine OCFS Child Care Licensing Rules (10-148 CMR Chapter 32) requirements
Current OCFS license posted and visible
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §3
License capacity and age groups displayed
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §3
Liability insurance current and on file
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §5
Parent handbook available with policies
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §4
Attendance records maintained daily
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Incident/accident reports documented
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Complaint procedures posted
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §4
Emergency procedures posted in each room
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Operating hours posted
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §3
Fee schedule available to parents
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §4
All staff have current background checks (ME and FBI)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §6
CPS registry checks completed
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §6
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §7
Lead teachers meet qualification requirements
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §7
All staff have current pediatric CPR certification
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
All staff have current first aid certification
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
Annual training hours documented (30 hours minimum)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
Mandatory reporter training current
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
Safe sleep training for infant caregivers
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
Health statement on file for all staff
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §6
Maine Roads to Quality registry current
Ref: MRTQ
Staff orientation completed within 90 days
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §8
Enrollment forms complete for each child
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Emergency contact information current
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Immunization records current (medical exemptions only)
Ref: 10-144 CMR Ch. 261
Health information on file for each child
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Allergy and special needs documented
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Authorized pickup persons documented
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §10
Medication authorization forms complete
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §12
Field trip/transportation permission on file
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §13
First aid kits stocked and accessible
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §12
Medications stored properly (locked)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §12
Cleaning and sanitizing procedures followed
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Handwashing procedures posted
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Diapering and toileting procedures followed
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Safe sleep practices followed for infants
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Food handling and safety requirements met
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §12
Food safety training current (food prep staff)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §12
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §11
Fire drill records current (monthly)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Severe weather drill records current (quarterly)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Full evacuation drill completed (annual)
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Emergency evacuation plan posted and current
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14
Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §9
Outdoor play area safe and enclosed
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §9
Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times
Ref: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §9
Quality for ME rating posted (if participating)
Ref: Quality for ME
Maine compliance and operations resources
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
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