Minnesota ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Minnesota DHS Child Care Center Licensing Rules (MN Rules Chapter 9503) regulations. Bloomily helps Minnesota childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Minnesota licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants 6 weeks to 16 months | 1:4 | 8 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Toddlers 16-33 months | 1:7 | 14 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Preschool 33 months to kindergarten | 1:10 | 20 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age kindergarten and older | 1:15 | 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 Minnesota childcare staff
Abusive Head Trauma Training (Minnesota)
Training on prevention of abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome)
Annual Training (Minnesota)
Minnesota required 16 clock hours annual professional development (24 hours first year)
Assistant Teacher Qualifications (Minnesota)
Assistant teacher qualifications per MN Rules 9503.0034
Background Check (Minnesota)
Minnesota DHS NETStudy 2.0 background check including criminal records and maltreatment checks per MN Rules 9503.0030
Child Maltreatment Prevention (Minnesota)
Training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect (maltreatment)
Director Qualifications (Minnesota)
Director qualifications per MN Rules 9503.0032 including education and experience requirements
First Aid (Minnesota)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
NETStudy 2.0 Background Study
Minnesota DHS NETStudy 2.0 comprehensive background study required
Pediatric CPR (Minnesota)
Infant and child CPR certification required per MN Rules 9503.0035
Staff Health Assessment (Minnesota)
Initial health assessment required per MN Rules 9503.0030
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Training (Minnesota)
SUID/SIDS prevention and safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per MN Rules 9503.0045
Teacher Qualifications (Minnesota)
Teacher qualifications per MN Rules 9503.0033
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Minnesota childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, and evacuation time
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location annually
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Tornado/Severe Weather
Monthly severe weather drills required April-September
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Minnesota DHS Child Care Center Licensing Rules (MN Rules Chapter 9503) requirements
Current DHS license posted visibly
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0010
License reflects current capacity and age groups
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0010
License renewal application submitted timely
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0010
Inspection reports available for parent review
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0010
Parent rights information posted
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0010
NETStudy 2.0 background study completed for all staff
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0030
Background study rechecks current
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0030
Director meets education/experience requirements
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0032
Teachers meet qualification requirements
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0033
Assistant teachers meet qualification requirements
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0034
Pediatric CPR certification current for all staff
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0035
First aid certification current for all staff
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0035
Annual training hours documented (16 hours ongoing, 24 first year)
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0035
Child maltreatment prevention training completed
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0035
SUID/safe sleep training completed for infant caregivers
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0045
Abusive head trauma training completed
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0035
Health assessment on file for all staff
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0030
Fire drills conducted monthly and documented
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Severe weather/tornado drills conducted monthly (April-September)
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice yearly
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Full evacuation drill to alternate location annually
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Written emergency plan posted and accessible
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Tornado shelter location identified and marked
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Emergency contact numbers posted by phones
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
Evacuation routes posted in each room
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0065
First aid kit properly stocked and accessible
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0050
Medication storage secure and procedures followed
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0050
Handwashing procedures followed
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0050
Diapering area sanitary with proper procedures
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0050
Ill child exclusion policy implemented
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0050
Hazardous materials stored securely out of reach
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0020
Safe sleep practices followed (back to sleep, firm surface)
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0045
Smoke and CO detectors functional
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0020
Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0020
Outdoor play area meets 75 sq ft per child requirement
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0020
Playground equipment safe and age-appropriate
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0020
Facility clean and in good repair
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0020
Temperature maintained between 65-75°F
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0020
Adequate lighting throughout facility
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0020
Outdoor area fenced and secure
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0020
Infant ratio maintained (1:4, max group 8)
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0040
Toddler ratio maintained (1:7, max group 14)
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0040
Preschool ratio maintained (1:10, max group 20)
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0040
School-age ratio maintained (1:15, max group 30)
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0040
Emergency contact forms complete for all children
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0060
Immunization records current (MIIC or provider)
Ref: MN Statutes §121A.15
Health information on file and updated annually
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0060
Individual Child Care Program Plan on file (if applicable)
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0060
Children supervised at all times
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0040
Parent Aware rating posted (if participating)
Ref: MN Rules 9503.0010
Track your Minnesota 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.
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