Tennessee childcare licensing requirements.
Ratios, group sizes, certifications, and drills for Tennessee — per DHS Licensure Rules (TN Rule 1240-04-01). Bloomily tracks every one of them live, so the paperwork is ready before anyone asks.
Staff-to-child ratios in Tennessee
| Age group | Ratio | Max group size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0-12 months) | 1:4 | 8 |
| Young Toddlers (12-24 months) | 1:6 | 12 |
| Older Toddlers (24-36 months) | 1:7 | 14 |
| preschool_3 | 1:9 | 18 |
| preschool_4 | 1:13 | 20 |
| preschool_5 | 1:16 | 20 |
| School Age (5+ years) | 1:20 | — |
Per DHS Licensure Rules (TN Rule 1240-04-01). Ratios in Bloomily are computed live from real check-ins against these limits.
Required certifications
Tennessee required 18 clock hours annual training per TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08
Renews every 12 months
Tennessee fingerprint-based background check through TBI per TN Rule 1240-04-01-.07
Renews every 60 months
DCS Child Abuse Registry check required for all staff
Renews every 60 months
First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care
Renews every 24 months
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Tennessee orientation training within 30 days of employment
Infant and child CPR certification required per TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08
Renews every 24 months
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers
Renews every 36 months
Statement of health including TB screening required
Renews every 48 months
Drill requirements
| Drill | Frequency | Required |
|---|---|---|
| fire | monthly | Yes |
| severe_weather | semi_annually | Yes |
Tennessee DHS Pre-Inspection Checklist
- License displayed in prominent location
- Capacity not exceeded
- Operating within licensed hours
- Written operational policies available
- Parent handbook current and distributed
- Indoor space meets minimum (30 sq ft per child)
- Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)
- Temperature maintained (68-78°F)
- Adequate lighting in all areas
- Toilets clean and child-accessible
- Handwashing facilities available
- Drinking water readily accessible
Run a Tennessee program? Keep it compliant without the binder.
Ratios computed live from real check-ins, certifications flagged before they lapse, and inspection-ready reports one click away.