Tennessee ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Tennessee DHS Licensure Rules (TN Rule 1240-04-01) regulations. Bloomily helps Tennessee childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Tennessee licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 15 months | 1:4 | 8 children |
toddler Toddlers 16-23 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
twos 2-year-olds | 1:6 | 12 children |
threes 3-year-olds | 1:9 | 18 children |
fours 4-year-olds | 1:13 | 20 children |
fives 5-year-olds | 1:16 | 20 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 6+ years | 1:20 | 25 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Tennessee childcare staff
Annual Training (18 hours)
Tennessee required 18 clock hours annual training per TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08
Background Check (Tennessee)
Tennessee fingerprint-based background check through TBI per TN Rule 1240-04-01-.07
Child Abuse Registry Check (Tennessee)
DCS Child Abuse Registry check required for all staff
First Aid (Tennessee)
First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Orientation Training (Tennessee)
Tennessee orientation training within 30 days of employment
Pediatric CPR (Tennessee)
Infant and child CPR certification required per TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08
Safe Sleep/SIDS Training (Tennessee)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers
Staff Health Statement (Tennessee)
Statement of health including TB screening required
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Tennessee childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, and number of children
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown drills twice per year
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Evacuation
Evacuation to alternate site annually
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Severe Weather
Severe weather drills quarterly
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Tennessee DHS Licensure Rules (TN Rule 1240-04-01) requirements
License displayed in prominent location
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.05
Capacity not exceeded
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.05
Operating within licensed hours
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.05
Written operational policies available
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.05
Parent handbook current and distributed
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.05
Indoor space meets minimum (30 sq ft per child)
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
Temperature maintained (68-78°F)
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
Adequate lighting in all areas
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
Handwashing facilities available
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
Drinking water readily accessible
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
Outdoor equipment safe and maintained
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
Fall zones with resilient surfacing
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
Daily health observation performed
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Handwashing procedures followed
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Diapering area sanitized properly
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Medications stored locked and inaccessible
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
First aid supplies stocked and accessible
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Illness exclusion policy enforced
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Fire extinguishers inspected annually
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Smoke detectors working
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Emergency exits marked and unobstructed
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Fire drills conducted monthly
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Severe weather drills quarterly
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Lockdown drills semi-annually
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Evacuation drill annually
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Drill records documented properly
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Emergency plan posted
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12
TBI background check current for all staff
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.07
DCS Child Abuse Registry check completed
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.07
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08
CPR certification current
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08
First Aid certification current
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08
Staff-to-child ratios maintained
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.09
Annual training completed (18 hours)
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08
Orientation within 30 days of hire
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08
Health statement with TB screening on file
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.07
Safe sleep training (infant caregivers)
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08
Enrollment forms complete
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Emergency contact information current
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Immunization records on file (TN Certificate)
Ref: TCA 49-6-5001
Physical exam within 30 days of enrollment
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Allergy/special needs documented
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Children supervised at all times
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.09
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06
Track your Tennessee 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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