DHHS Child Care Center Licensing Rules (R381-100) Compliant

Utah ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with Utah DHHS Child Care Center Licensing Rules (R381-100) regulations. Bloomily helps Utah childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Utah licensed childcare facilities

Age Group	Staff : Children	Max Group Size	Regulation
Infants (0-12 months) 0–11 months per Table 1	1:4	8 children	Utah Admin. Code R381-100-10 (Ratios and Group Size), Table 1; effective rule as published on LII and Utah DLBC February 2026 summary
younger_toddler 12–17 months per Table 1	1:4	8 children	Utah Admin. Code R381-100-10 (Ratios and Group Size), Table 1; effective rule as published on LII and Utah DLBC February 2026 summary
Older Toddlers (24-36 months) 18–23 months per Table 1	1:5	10 children	Utah Admin. Code R381-100-10 (Ratios and Group Size), Table 1; effective rule as published on LII and Utah DLBC February 2026 summary
two_year 2 years (24–35 months) per Table 1; production had 7/14 which was wrong	1:8	16 children	Utah Admin. Code R381-100-10 (Ratios and Group Size), Table 1; effective rule as published on LII and Utah DLBC February 2026 summary
preschool_3 3 years (36–47 months) per Table 1	1:12	24 children	Utah Admin. Code R381-100-10 (Ratios and Group Size), Table 1; effective rule as published on LII and Utah DLBC February 2026 summary
preschool_4 4 years (48–59 months) per Table 1	1:15	30 children	Utah Admin. Code R381-100-10 (Ratios and Group Size), Table 1; effective rule as published on LII and Utah DLBC February 2026 summary
School Age (5+ years) 5 years through 12 years (60–143 months); R381-100-2 defines school-age child as age 5 through 12	1:20	40 children	Utah Admin. Code R381-100-10 (Ratios and Group Size), Table 1; effective rule as published on LII and Utah DLBC February 2026 summary

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

Required Certifications

Certifications required for Utah childcare staff

Annual Training (20 hours)

Utah required 20 clock hours annual professional development

Renew annuallyDocument required

Background Check (Utah)

Utah BCI background check and FBI fingerprint check per R381-100-6

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Director Qualifications (Utah)

Director qualifications per R381-100-7 including education and experience requirements

Document required

First Aid (Utah)

Pediatric first aid certification required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Food Handler Permit (Utah)

Utah food handler permit for staff preparing or serving food

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Lead Caregiver Qualifications (Utah)

Lead caregiver qualifications per R381-100-7

Document required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Orientation Training (Utah)

Initial orientation training within 90 days of employment

Document required

Pediatric CPR (Utah)

Infant and child CPR certification required per R381-100-7

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse (Utah)

Training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep Training (Utah)

Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per R381-100-14

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Staff Health Assessment (Utah)

Initial health assessment and TB risk assessment required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Utah BCI Criminal History Check

Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification background check required

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 Utah childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Quarterly

Fire evacuation drill at least quarterly; must include complete exit of all children, staff, and volunteers; 12-month documentation on-site required. Production had 'monthly' which was incorrect.

Ref: Utah Admin. Code R381-100-14 (Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery); current version as published on LII (eff. May 8, 2025 amendment)

Earthquake

Twice per year

Earthquake is explicitly listed as a covered non-fire disaster drill type under the semi-annual requirement (R381-100-14)

Ref: Utah Admin. Code R381-100-14 (Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery); current version as published on LII (eff. May 8, 2025 amendment)

Evacuation

Twice per year

Non-fire disaster drill at least once every 6 months; covers earthquake, flood, prolonged power/water outage, tornado; type must be documented

Ref: Utah Admin. Code R381-100-14 (Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery); current version as published on LII (eff. May 8, 2025 amendment)

Recommended Drills

Lockdown/Security

Annually

Lockdown procedures required in the written emergency preparedness plan; no specific drill frequency mandated in R381-100-14 — plan-only requirement; 'annually' used as closest allowed frequency value

Ref: Utah Admin. Code R381-100-14 (Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery); current version as published on LII (eff. May 8, 2025 amendment)

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

Utah Pre-Inspection Checklist

Based on DHHS Child Care Center Licensing Rules (R381-100) requirements • 50 items • Generated from bloomily.app

Center Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________

Licensing

Current DHHS license posted visibly

Ref: R381-100-4

License reflects current capacity and age groups

Ref: R381-100-4

License renewal application submitted timely

Ref: R381-100-4

Inspection reports available for parent review

Ref: R381-100-4

Parent rights information posted

Ref: R381-100-4

Staff Records

Utah BCI background check completed for all staff

Ref: R381-100-6

FBI fingerprint check completed for all staff

Ref: R381-100-6

Director meets education/experience requirements

Ref: R381-100-7

Lead caregivers meet qualification requirements

Ref: R381-100-7

Pediatric CPR certification current for all staff

Ref: R381-100-7

First aid certification current for all staff

Ref: R381-100-7

Annual 20 clock hours professional development documented

Ref: R381-100-7

Child abuse recognition training completed

Ref: R381-100-7

Safe sleep training completed for infant caregivers

Ref: R381-100-14

Food handler permit current for food service staff

Ref: R381-100-7

Health assessment and TB screening on file

Ref: R381-100-7

Orientation training completed within 90 days

Ref: R381-100-7

Emergency Prep

Fire drills conducted monthly and documented

Ref: R381-100-13

Earthquake drills conducted quarterly (Wasatch Fault)

Ref: R381-100-13

Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice yearly

Ref: R381-100-13

Full evacuation drill to alternate location annually

Ref: R381-100-13

Written emergency plan posted and accessible

Ref: R381-100-13

Emergency supplies and 72-hour kit maintained

Ref: R381-100-13

Emergency contact numbers posted by phones

Ref: R381-100-13

Evacuation routes posted in each room

Ref: R381-100-13

Health & Safety

First aid kit properly stocked and accessible

Ref: R381-100-11

Medication storage secure and procedures followed

Ref: R381-100-11

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: R381-100-11

Diapering area sanitary with proper procedures

Ref: R381-100-11

Ill child exclusion policy implemented

Ref: R381-100-11

Hazardous materials stored securely out of reach

Ref: R381-100-10

Safe sleep practices followed (back to sleep, firm surface)

Ref: R381-100-14

Smoke and CO detectors functional

Ref: R381-100-10

Facility

Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement

Ref: R381-100-10

Outdoor play area meets 50 sq ft per child requirement

Ref: R381-100-10

Playground equipment safe and age-appropriate

Ref: R381-100-10

Facility clean and in good repair

Ref: R381-100-10

Temperature maintained at comfortable level

Ref: R381-100-10

Adequate lighting throughout facility

Ref: R381-100-10

Outdoor area fenced and secure

Ref: R381-100-10

Ratios

Infant ratio maintained (1:4, max group 8)

Ref: R381-100-8

Toddler ratio maintained (1:5-7 based on age)

Ref: R381-100-8

Preschool ratio maintained (1:12-15)

Ref: R381-100-8

School-age ratio maintained (1:20, max group 40)

Ref: R381-100-8

Child Records

Emergency contact forms complete for all children

Ref: R381-100-9

Immunization records current (USIIS or provider)

Ref: Utah Code 53G-9-301

Health information on file

Ref: R381-100-9

Allergy information documented with care plans

Ref: R381-100-9

Operations

Children supervised at all times

Ref: R381-100-8

Care About Childcare rating posted (if participating)

Ref: R381-100-4

This checklist is provided for reference only. Always verify requirements with your state licensing agency.

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on Utah DHHS Child Care Center Licensing Rules (R381-100) requirements

Licensing(5)Staff Records(12)Emergency Prep(8)Health & Safety(8)Facility(7)Ratios(4)Child Records(4)Operations(2)

Current DHHS license posted visibly

Ref: R381-100-4

Licensing

License reflects current capacity and age groups

Ref: R381-100-4

Licensing

License renewal application submitted timely

Ref: R381-100-4

Licensing

Inspection reports available for parent review

Ref: R381-100-4

Licensing

Parent rights information posted

Ref: R381-100-4

Licensing

Utah BCI background check completed for all staff

Ref: R381-100-6

Staff Records

FBI fingerprint check completed for all staff

Ref: R381-100-6

Staff Records

Director meets education/experience requirements

Ref: R381-100-7

Staff Records

Lead caregivers meet qualification requirements

Ref: R381-100-7

Staff Records

Pediatric CPR certification current for all staff

Ref: R381-100-7

Staff Records

First aid certification current for all staff

Ref: R381-100-7

Staff Records

Annual 20 clock hours professional development documented

Ref: R381-100-7

Staff Records

Child abuse recognition training completed

Ref: R381-100-7

Staff Records

Safe sleep training completed for infant caregivers

Ref: R381-100-14

Staff Records

Food handler permit current for food service staff

Ref: R381-100-7

Staff Records

Health assessment and TB screening on file

Ref: R381-100-7

Staff Records

Orientation training completed within 90 days

Ref: R381-100-7

Staff Records

Fire drills conducted monthly and documented

Ref: R381-100-13

Emergency Prep

Earthquake drills conducted quarterly (Wasatch Fault)

Ref: R381-100-13

Emergency Prep

Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice yearly

Ref: R381-100-13

Emergency Prep

Full evacuation drill to alternate location annually

Ref: R381-100-13

Emergency Prep

Written emergency plan posted and accessible

Ref: R381-100-13

Emergency Prep

Emergency supplies and 72-hour kit maintained

Ref: R381-100-13

Emergency Prep

Emergency contact numbers posted by phones

Ref: R381-100-13

Emergency Prep

Evacuation routes posted in each room

Ref: R381-100-13

Emergency Prep

First aid kit properly stocked and accessible

Ref: R381-100-11

Health & Safety

Medication storage secure and procedures followed

Ref: R381-100-11

Health & Safety

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: R381-100-11

Health & Safety

Diapering area sanitary with proper procedures

Ref: R381-100-11

Health & Safety

Ill child exclusion policy implemented

Ref: R381-100-11

Health & Safety

Hazardous materials stored securely out of reach

Ref: R381-100-10

Health & Safety

Safe sleep practices followed (back to sleep, firm surface)

Ref: R381-100-14

Health & Safety

Smoke and CO detectors functional

Ref: R381-100-10

Health & Safety

Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement

Ref: R381-100-10

Facility

Outdoor play area meets 50 sq ft per child requirement

Ref: R381-100-10

Facility

Playground equipment safe and age-appropriate

Ref: R381-100-10

Facility

Facility clean and in good repair

Ref: R381-100-10

Facility

Temperature maintained at comfortable level

Ref: R381-100-10

Facility

Adequate lighting throughout facility

Ref: R381-100-10

Facility

Outdoor area fenced and secure

Ref: R381-100-10

Facility

Infant ratio maintained (1:4, max group 8)

Ref: R381-100-8

Ratios

Toddler ratio maintained (1:5-7 based on age)

Ref: R381-100-8

Ratios

Preschool ratio maintained (1:12-15)

Ref: R381-100-8

Ratios

School-age ratio maintained (1:20, max group 40)

Ref: R381-100-8

Ratios

Emergency contact forms complete for all children

Ref: R381-100-9

Child Records

Immunization records current (USIIS or provider)

Ref: Utah Code 53G-9-301

Child Records

Health information on file

Ref: R381-100-9

Child Records

Allergy information documented with care plans

Ref: R381-100-9

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: R381-100-8

Operations

Care About Childcare rating posted (if participating)

Ref: R381-100-4

Operations

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Nearby State Requirements

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