DHHS Early Childhood Services (NDAC Chapter 75-03-10) Compliant

North Dakota ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with North Dakota DHHS Early Childhood Services (NDAC Chapter 75-03-10) regulations. Bloomily helps North Dakota childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for North Dakota licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Under 18 months. Prod had 0-12 and 12-24 split at ratio 4/4; regulation uses a single 0-18 band.
1:410 children
toddler
18 months to 36 months. Prod split into 12-24/24-36; regulation uses a single 18-36 band.
1:515 children
preschool_3
3 years to 4 years (36-48 months). Max group corrected from prod's 21 to 20.
1:720 children
preschool_4
4 years to 5 years (48-60 months). Max group corrected from prod's 20 to 25.
1:1025 children
preschool_5
5 years to 6 years (60-72 months). New band not in prod; regulation adds 5-6 year band at 1:12.
1:1230 children
School Age (5+ years)
6 to 12 years (72-144 months). Ratio corrected from prod's 15 to 20; max group corrected from 30 to 40.
1:2040 children

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

Required Certifications

Certifications required for North Dakota childcare staff

Annual Training (North Dakota)

North Dakota requires minimum 18 clock hours annual professional development

Renew annuallyDocument required

Child Abuse/Neglect Registry Check (North Dakota)

North Dakota DHHS child abuse and neglect registry check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Criminal Background Check (North Dakota)

North Dakota BCI and FBI fingerprint background check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Director Qualifications (North Dakota)

Director qualifications per NDAC including education and experience requirements

Document required

First Aid (North Dakota)

Pediatric first aid certification required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Food Handler Certification (North Dakota)

Food safety training for staff preparing food

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Lead Caregiver Qualifications (North Dakota)

Lead caregiver qualifications per NDAC regulations

Document required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Mandatory Reporter Training (North Dakota)

North Dakota mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Orientation Training (North Dakota)

Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment

Document required

Pediatric CPR (North Dakota)

Infant and child CPR certification required for all caregivers

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep Training (North Dakota)

Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

SIDS Prevention Training (North Dakota)

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prevention training for infant caregivers

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 North Dakota childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

Explicitly mandated: 'Fire and emergency evacuation drills must be performed monthly.' § 75-03-10-16(2).

Ref: N.D. Admin. Code § 75-03-10-16 (eff. January 1, 2022); ND HHS Emergency Preparedness Plan guidance

Lockdown/Security

Monthly

Lockdown procedures required in written plan per § 75-03-10-16(1)(b). Monthly practice frequency per ND HHS Emergency Preparedness Plan guidance ('monthly drills/exercises to practice fire, inclement weather, and lockdown procedures').

Ref: N.D. Admin. Code § 75-03-10-16 (eff. January 1, 2022); ND HHS Emergency Preparedness Plan guidance

Shelter in Place

Monthly

Shelter-in-place procedures required in written plan per § 75-03-10-16(1)(b). Monthly practice frequency per ND HHS Emergency Preparedness Plan guidance ('monthly drills/exercises to practice fire, inclement weather, and lockdown procedures').

Ref: N.D. Admin. Code § 75-03-10-16 (eff. January 1, 2022); ND HHS Emergency Preparedness Plan guidance

Evacuation

Monthly

Mandated together with fire drills as 'fire and emergency evacuation drills' per § 75-03-10-16(2).

Ref: N.D. Admin. Code § 75-03-10-16 (eff. January 1, 2022); ND HHS Emergency Preparedness Plan guidance

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

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on North Dakota DHHS Early Childhood Services (NDAC Chapter 75-03-10) requirements

Licensing(10)Staff(12)Records(10)Health(10)Emergency(6)Operations(2)

Current DHHS license posted in visible location

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-02

Licensing

License capacity not exceeded

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-02

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-02

Licensing

Parent handbook current and available

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-02

Licensing

Written policies and procedures current

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-02

Licensing

Fee schedule posted or provided to parents

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-02

Licensing

Liability insurance current and adequate

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-03

Licensing

Required postings visible (license, emergency plans, menus)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-02

Licensing

DHHS contact information posted

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-02

Licensing

Reporting requirements met (incidents, changes)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-03

Licensing

All staff have current background clearances (BCI and FBI)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-04

Staff

Child Abuse/Neglect Registry checks completed

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-04

Staff

Director meets education/experience requirements

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-05

Staff

Lead caregivers meet qualification requirements

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-05

Staff

All staff have current CPR certification

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-05

Staff

All staff have current First Aid certification

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-05

Staff

Mandatory reporter training completed (all staff)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-05

Staff

Annual training requirements met (18 hours)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-05

Staff

Orientation training completed within 90 days

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-05

Staff

Safe sleep and SIDS training for infant caregivers

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-05

Staff

Staff health assessments current

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-05

Staff

Staff files complete with required documentation

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-05

Staff

Enrollment forms complete for all children

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-08

Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-08

Records

Immunization records current (NDIIS verified)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-08

Records

Health assessments on file

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-08

Records

Authorized pickup persons documented

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-08

Records

Allergy and special health needs documented

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-08

Records

Medication authorization forms complete

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-09

Records

Individual health care plans current (if applicable)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-08

Records

Daily attendance records maintained

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-08

Records

Parent rights acknowledgment signed

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-02

Records

First aid kit fully stocked and accessible

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-09

Health

Medications stored properly (locked, labeled)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-09

Health

Cleaning and hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-11

Health

Handwashing procedures followed and documented

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-09

Health

Diapering and toileting procedures posted

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-09

Health

Safe sleep practices followed (infants on back)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-07

Health

Food handling and safety requirements met

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-13

Health

Illness exclusion policy current

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-09

Health

Water temperature safe (120°F max)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-11

Health

Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-11

Health

Fire drill records current (monthly)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-12

Emergency

Tornado drill records current (monthly April-Sept)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-12

Emergency

Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-12

Emergency

Emergency evacuation plan posted and current

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-12

Emergency

Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-11

Emergency

Emergency contact lists readily available

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-12

Emergency

Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times

Ref: NDAC 75-03-10-06

Operations

Bright & Early ND rating posted (if participating)

Ref: Bright & Early ND

Operations

Track your North Dakota compliance digitally

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

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North Dakota compliance and operations resources

Health and safety featuresTrack incidents, medication, immunizations, and safety workflows.Ratio calculatorCalculate staff-to-child ratios for your classrooms.Attendance softwareMonitor rosters, ratios, check-in, and pickup in real time.Daycare management softwareRun compliance, attendance, billing, and parent communication together.Daily reports guideImprove parent communication with consistent daily reports.Meal tracking guidePlan meal records, parent updates, and billing connections.

Nearby State Requirements

MinnesotaMontanaSouth Dakota

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

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Ready to simplify North Dakota compliance?

Join childcare centers across North Dakota 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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