DHHS Children's Services Licensing (Title 391 NAC 3) Compliant

Nebraska ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with Nebraska DHHS Children's Services Licensing (Title 391 NAC 3) regulations. Bloomily helps Nebraska childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Nebraska licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Infants 6 weeks to 18 months
1:48 children
Young Toddlers (12-24 months)
Toddlers 18-36 months
1:612 children
Preschool (3-5 years)
Three year olds
1:1020 children
prek
Four and five year olds
1:1224 children
School Age (5+ years)
School-age 5+ years
1:1530 children

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

Required Certifications

Certifications required for Nebraska childcare staff

Annual In-Service Training (Nebraska)

Nebraska required minimum 12 clock hours annual in-service training

Renew annuallyDocument required

Child Abuse/Neglect Central Registry Check

Nebraska Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Criminal Background Check (Nebraska)

Nebraska State Patrol criminal background check and national fingerprint check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Director Qualifications (Nebraska)

Director qualifications per 391 NAC 3-004 including education and experience requirements

Document required

First Aid (Nebraska)

Pediatric first aid certification required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Food Handler Certification (Nebraska)

Food handler certification for staff preparing food

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Lead Teacher Qualifications (Nebraska)

Lead teacher qualifications per 391 NAC 3-004

Document required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Mandatory Reporter Training (Nebraska)

Nebraska mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Orientation Training (Nebraska)

Initial orientation training including policies, emergency procedures within first week

Document required

Pediatric CPR (Nebraska)

Infant and child CPR certification required for all staff

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep Training (Nebraska)

Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per 391 NAC 3

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

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

Emergency Drill Requirements

Required safety drills for Nebraska childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, and evacuation time

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Lockdown/Security

Twice per year

Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Evacuation

Annually

Full evacuation to alternate location annually

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Tornado/Severe Weather

Monthly

Monthly tornado drills required during severe weather season April-September

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

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

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on Nebraska DHHS Children's Services Licensing (Title 391 NAC 3) requirements

Licensing(10)Health & Safety(15)Staff(13)Emergency(8)Operations(4)

Current DHHS license posted conspicuously

Ref: 391 NAC 3-003

Licensing

Certificate of occupancy available

Ref: 391 NAC 3-003

Licensing

Fire inspection report current

Ref: 391 NAC 3-003

Licensing

Health inspection certificate posted

Ref: 391 NAC 3-003

Licensing

Liability insurance documentation current

Ref: 391 NAC 3-003

Licensing

Parent handbook available and current

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Licensing

Child records complete and accessible

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Licensing

Daily attendance records maintained

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Licensing

Incident/accident reports documented

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Licensing

DHHS complaint procedures posted

Ref: 391 NAC 3-003

Licensing

First aid kit stocked and accessible

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Health & Safety

Emergency phone numbers posted

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Health & Safety

Poison control number posted

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Health & Safety

Medications stored properly and locked

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Health & Safety

Medication authorization forms complete

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Health & Safety

Immunization records current (NESIIS verified)

Ref: NRS 79-221

Health & Safety

Hand washing procedures posted

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Health & Safety

Diapering/toileting area sanitary

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Health & Safety

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Health & Safety

Cribs meet CPSC safety standards

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Health & Safety

Cleaning supplies stored locked away from children

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Health & Safety

Hazardous materials inaccessible to children

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Health & Safety

Outlet covers installed throughout facility

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Health & Safety

Water temperature safe (120°F or below)

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Health & Safety

Food handling and storage meets standards

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Health & Safety

Nebraska State Patrol background checks current

Ref: 391 NAC 3-004

Staff

Child Abuse/Neglect Central Registry checks complete

Ref: 391 NAC 3-004

Staff

National fingerprint checks current

Ref: 391 NAC 3-004

Staff

Director qualifications documented

Ref: 391 NAC 3-004

Staff

Lead teacher qualifications documented

Ref: 391 NAC 3-004

Staff

Pediatric CPR certifications current

Ref: 391 NAC 3-004

Staff

First aid certifications current

Ref: 391 NAC 3-004

Staff

Mandatory reporter training completed

Ref: NRS 28-711

Staff

Annual in-service training documented (12 hours minimum)

Ref: 391 NAC 3-004

Staff

Orientation training completed (new staff)

Ref: 391 NAC 3-004

Staff

Safe sleep training documented (infant caregivers)

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Staff

Staff personnel files complete

Ref: 391 NAC 3-004

Staff

Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times

Ref: 391 NAC 3-006

Staff

Fire drill records current (monthly)

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Emergency

Tornado drill records current (monthly Apr-Sep)

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Emergency

Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Emergency

Full evacuation drill completed (annual)

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Emergency

Emergency evacuation plan posted

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Emergency

Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Emergency

Smoke detectors functional

Ref: 391 NAC 3-007

Emergency

Emergency contact information for all children accessible

Ref: 391 NAC 3-005

Emergency

Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement

Ref: 391 NAC 3-006

Operations

Outdoor play area safe and enclosed

Ref: 391 NAC 3-006

Operations

Children supervised at all times

Ref: 391 NAC 3-006

Operations

Step Up to Quality rating posted (if participating)

Ref: Step Up to Quality

Operations

Track your Nebraska compliance digitally

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

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Nearby State Requirements

ColoradoIowaKansasMissouriSouth DakotaWyoming

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

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Ready to simplify Nebraska compliance?

Join childcare centers across Nebraska that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.

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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