DHS Licensure Rules (TN Rule 1240-04-01) Compliant

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.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Tennessee licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Regulation says '6 weeks to 15 months'; min set to 0 for contiguous band. Infants may never exceed ratio or group size.
1:48 children
Young Toddlers (12-24 months)
Regulation Chart 1: 12–30 months, ratio 1:6, max group 12. Band starts at 15 (exclusive max of infant band) to avoid overlap.
1:612 children
Older Toddlers (24-36 months)
Regulation Chart 1: 24–35 months, ratio 1:7, max group 14. Band starts at 30 (exclusive max of young_toddler band) to avoid overlap.
1:714 children
preschool_3
Regulation Chart 1: 3-year-olds (36–47 months).
1:918 children
preschool_4
Regulation Chart 1: 4-year-olds (48–59 months).
1:1320 children
preschool_5
Regulation Chart 1: 5-year-olds (60–71 months).
1:1620 children
School Age (5+ years)
Regulation Chart 1: Kindergarten and older, 1:20, no maximum group size specified.
1:20—

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

Renew annuallyDocument required

Background Check (Tennessee)

Tennessee fingerprint-based background check through TBI per TN Rule 1240-04-01-.07

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Child Abuse Registry Check (Tennessee)

DCS Child Abuse Registry check required for all staff

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

First Aid (Tennessee)

First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Orientation Training (Tennessee)

Tennessee orientation training within 30 days of employment

Document required

Pediatric CPR (Tennessee)

Infant and child CPR certification required per TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep/SIDS Training (Tennessee)

Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Staff Health Statement (Tennessee)

Statement of health including TB screening required

Renew every 48 monthsDocument 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 every month; alternate monthly to cover each shift while children are present, including extended care hours. Simulates conditions of a real emergency.

Ref: T.C.A. § 71-3-517 (Tennessee Child Care Emergency Preparedness Law); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.18 (Emergency Preparedness)

Severe Weather

Twice per year

At least one non-fire drill required every six (6) months per T.C.A. § 71-3-517. The multi-hazard plan must address tornadoes, earthquakes, chemical spills, floods; severe_weather is the primary non-fire hazard for TN. Shelter-in-place and lockdown are addressed in the written multi-hazard plan but share the semi-annual non-fire drill slot.

Ref: T.C.A. § 71-3-517 (Tennessee Child Care Emergency Preparedness Law); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.18 (Emergency Preparedness)

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

Licensing(5)Physical Environment(10)Health Practices(7)Safety Practices(10)Staff Requirements(10)Child Records(6)Supervision(2)

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.05

Licensing

Capacity not exceeded

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.05

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.05

Licensing

Written operational policies available

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.05

Licensing

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.05

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum (30 sq ft per child)

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained (68-78°F)

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Physical Environment

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Physical Environment

Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Physical Environment

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Physical Environment

Fall zones with resilient surfacing

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Physical Environment

Daily health observation performed

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Health Practices

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Health Practices

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Health Practices

Medications stored locked and inaccessible

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Health Practices

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Health Practices

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Health Practices

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Health Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11

Safety Practices

Smoke detectors working

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11

Safety Practices

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11

Safety Practices

Fire drills conducted monthly

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11

Safety Practices

Severe weather drills quarterly

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11

Safety Practices

Lockdown drills semi-annually

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11

Safety Practices

Evacuation drill annually

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11

Safety Practices

Drill records documented properly

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11

Safety Practices

Emergency plan posted

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.11

Safety Practices

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.12

Safety Practices

TBI background check current for all staff

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.07

Staff Requirements

DCS Child Abuse Registry check completed

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.07

Staff Requirements

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08

Staff Requirements

CPR certification current

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08

Staff Requirements

First Aid certification current

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08

Staff Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.09

Staff Requirements

Annual training completed (18 hours)

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08

Staff Requirements

Orientation within 30 days of hire

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08

Staff Requirements

Health statement with TB screening on file

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.07

Staff Requirements

Safe sleep training (infant caregivers)

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.08

Staff Requirements

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Child Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Child Records

Immunization records on file (TN Certificate)

Ref: TCA 49-6-5001

Child Records

Physical exam within 30 days of enrollment

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Child Records

Allergy/special needs documented

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.09

Supervision

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: TN Rule 1240-04-01-.06

Supervision

Track your Tennessee compliance digitally

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

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Tennessee compliance and operations resources

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Nearby State Requirements

AlabamaArkansasGeorgiaKentuckyMississippiMissouri

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

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Join childcare centers across Tennessee 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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