DCF Child Care Licensing Regulations Compliant

Vermont ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with Vermont DCF Child Care Licensing Regulations regulations. Bloomily helps Vermont childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Vermont licensed childcare facilities

Age Group	Staff : Children	Max Group Size	Regulation
Infants (0-12 months) Birth–18 months per regulation table. Vermont defines 'Infant' as 6 weeks to under 13 months, but the ratio table uses 'Birth–18 months' as the first band.	1:4	8 children	Vermont Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (CBCCPP) Licensing Regulations, Section 6.2.1.3 (Effective April 17, 2022), Vermont Dept. for Children & Families, Child Development Division; https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) 18–30 months row of regulation table; 18–24 sub-band uses same 1:4 ratio as infant row.	1:4	10 children	Vermont Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (CBCCPP) Licensing Regulations, Section 6.2.1.3 (Effective April 17, 2022), Vermont Dept. for Children & Families, Child Development Division; https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf
toddler_transition Overlap of '18–30 months' (1:4) and '24–36 months' (1:5) rows; most protective ratio 1:4 applied.	1:4	10 children	Vermont Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (CBCCPP) Licensing Regulations, Section 6.2.1.3 (Effective April 17, 2022), Vermont Dept. for Children & Families, Child Development Division; https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf
Older Toddlers (24-36 months) Only '24–36 months' row (1:5) applies at 30–32 months; at 32–36 months '32–42 months' row (1:6) also applies but 1:5 is more protective; max_group 10 from '24–36 months' row.	1:5	10 children	Vermont Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (CBCCPP) Licensing Regulations, Section 6.2.1.3 (Effective April 17, 2022), Vermont Dept. for Children & Families, Child Development Division; https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf
two_year Overlap of '32–42 months' (1:6) and '36 months–Kindergarten' (1:10) rows; most protective ratio 1:6 applied.	1:6	15 children	Vermont Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (CBCCPP) Licensing Regulations, Section 6.2.1.3 (Effective April 17, 2022), Vermont Dept. for Children & Families, Child Development Division; https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf
Preschool (3-5 years) '36 months–Kindergarten' row; Kindergarten = entry to 1st grade ≈ 60 months.	1:10	20 children	Vermont Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (CBCCPP) Licensing Regulations, Section 6.2.1.3 (Effective April 17, 2022), Vermont Dept. for Children & Families, Child Development Division; https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf
School Age (5+ years) '1st grade and up' row; Vermont defines 'child' as under 13 years (156 months).	1:13	26 children	Vermont Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (CBCCPP) Licensing Regulations, Section 6.2.1.3 (Effective April 17, 2022), Vermont Dept. for Children & Families, Child Development Division; https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf

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

Required Certifications

Certifications required for Vermont childcare staff

Annual Training (Vermont)

Vermont requires minimum 24 clock hours annual professional development

Renew annuallyDocument required

Child Abuse Registry Check (Vermont)

Vermont DCF child abuse and neglect registry check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Criminal Background Check (Vermont)

Vermont Crime Information Center and FBI fingerprint background check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Director Qualifications (Vermont)

Director qualifications per Vermont CCL Regulations including education and experience requirements

Document required

First Aid (Vermont)

Pediatric first aid certification required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Food Handler Certification (Vermont)

Food safety training for staff preparing food

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Lead Teacher Qualifications (Vermont)

Lead teacher qualifications per Vermont CCL Regulations

Document required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Mandatory Reporter Training (Vermont)

Vermont mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Medication Administration (Vermont)

Training for staff who administer medications to children

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Orientation Training (Vermont)

Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment

Document required

Pediatric CPR (Vermont)

Infant and child CPR certification required for all caregivers

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep Training (Vermont)

Safe sleep training required 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 Vermont childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

Monthly evacuation drills required by Section 3.7.2.2 serve as fire/evacuation drills; no separate 'fire drill' label in regulation but evacuation is the operative requirement.

Ref: Vermont CBCCPP Licensing Regulations, Section 3.7.2 Building Evacuation (Effective April 17, 2022); https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf

Shelter in Place

Annually

Section 3.7.3: within 365 days of opening, licensee must attend emergency preparedness training including shelter-in-place content. Section 3.7.1.1 requires the Emergency Response Plan to include a shelter-in-place system, but no recurring drill frequency is explicitly mandated beyond training.

Ref: Vermont CBCCPP Licensing Regulations, Section 3.7.2 Building Evacuation (Effective April 17, 2022); https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf

Evacuation

Monthly

Section 3.7.2.2: evacuation drills at least once per month; all children and staff must evacuate in under 3 minutes. Programs in public/independent school buildings may substitute a lockdown drill for one monthly evacuation drill, but at least 3 of the monthly drills per year must be actual evacuation drills. Covers fire evacuation.

Ref: Vermont CBCCPP Licensing Regulations, Section 3.7.2 Building Evacuation (Effective April 17, 2022); https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf

Recommended Drills

Lockdown/Security

Annually

Section 3.7.1.1 requires the Emergency Response Plan to address lockdown situations. No mandatory standalone lockdown drill frequency is specified; programs in public school buildings may use a lockdown drill to substitute for one monthly evacuation drill (3.7.2.2).

Ref: Vermont CBCCPP Licensing Regulations, Section 3.7.2 Building Evacuation (Effective April 17, 2022); https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/CC-CenterBased-Regs.pdf

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

Vermont Pre-Inspection Checklist

Based on DCF Child Care Licensing Regulations requirements • 50 items • Generated from bloomily.app

Center Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________

Licensing

Current DCF license posted in visible location

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.1

License capacity not exceeded

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.1

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.1

Parent handbook current and available

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.2

Written policies and procedures current

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.2

Fee schedule posted or provided to parents

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.2

Liability insurance current and adequate

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.3

Required postings visible (license, emergency plans, menus)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.2

DCF contact information posted

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.2

Reporting requirements met (incidents, changes)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.4

Staff

All staff have current background clearances (VCIC and FBI)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.2

Child Abuse Registry checks completed

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.2

Director meets education/experience requirements

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.1

Lead teachers meet qualification requirements

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.1

All staff have current CPR certification

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.3

All staff have current First Aid certification

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.3

Mandatory reporter training completed (all staff)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.3

Annual training requirements met (24 hours)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.4

Orientation training completed within 90 days

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.4

Safe sleep training for infant caregivers

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.3

Medication administration training current

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.3

Staff files complete with required documentation

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.5

Records

Enrollment forms complete for all children

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.1

Emergency contact information current

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.1

Immunization records current (VT IMR verified)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.2

Health assessments on file

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.2

Authorized pickup persons documented

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.1

Allergy and special health needs documented

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.2

Medication authorization forms complete

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.3

Individual health care plans current (if applicable)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.2

Daily attendance records maintained

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.4

Parent rights acknowledgment signed

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.1

Health

First aid kit fully stocked and accessible

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.2

Medications stored properly (locked, labeled)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.3

Cleaning and hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.5

Handwashing procedures followed and documented

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.1

Diapering and toileting procedures posted

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.1

Safe sleep practices followed (infants on back)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.4

Food handling and safety requirements met

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.6

Illness exclusion policy current

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.1

Water temperature safe (120°F max)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.5

Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.5

Emergency

Fire drill records current (monthly)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.3

Severe weather drill records current (quarterly)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.3

Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.3

Emergency evacuation plan posted and current

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.3

Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.2

Emergency contact lists readily available

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.3

Operations

Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times

Ref: VT CCL Reg 6.1

STARS rating posted (if participating)

Ref: VT STARS

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

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on Vermont DCF Child Care Licensing Regulations requirements

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

Current DCF license posted in visible location

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.1

Licensing

License capacity not exceeded

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.1

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.1

Licensing

Parent handbook current and available

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.2

Licensing

Written policies and procedures current

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.2

Licensing

Fee schedule posted or provided to parents

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.2

Licensing

Liability insurance current and adequate

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.3

Licensing

Required postings visible (license, emergency plans, menus)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.2

Licensing

DCF contact information posted

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.2

Licensing

Reporting requirements met (incidents, changes)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.4

Licensing

All staff have current background clearances (VCIC and FBI)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.2

Staff

Child Abuse Registry checks completed

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.2

Staff

Director meets education/experience requirements

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.1

Staff

Lead teachers meet qualification requirements

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.1

Staff

All staff have current CPR certification

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.3

Staff

All staff have current First Aid certification

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.3

Staff

Mandatory reporter training completed (all staff)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.3

Staff

Annual training requirements met (24 hours)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.4

Staff

Orientation training completed within 90 days

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.4

Staff

Safe sleep training for infant caregivers

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.3

Staff

Medication administration training current

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.3

Staff

Staff files complete with required documentation

Ref: VT CCL Reg 3.5

Staff

Enrollment forms complete for all children

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.1

Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.1

Records

Immunization records current (VT IMR verified)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.2

Records

Health assessments on file

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.2

Records

Authorized pickup persons documented

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.1

Records

Allergy and special health needs documented

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.2

Records

Medication authorization forms complete

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.3

Records

Individual health care plans current (if applicable)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.2

Records

Daily attendance records maintained

Ref: VT CCL Reg 4.4

Records

Parent rights acknowledgment signed

Ref: VT CCL Reg 2.1

Records

First aid kit fully stocked and accessible

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.2

Health

Medications stored properly (locked, labeled)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.3

Health

Cleaning and hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.5

Health

Handwashing procedures followed and documented

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.1

Health

Diapering and toileting procedures posted

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.1

Health

Safe sleep practices followed (infants on back)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.4

Health

Food handling and safety requirements met

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.6

Health

Illness exclusion policy current

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.1

Health

Water temperature safe (120°F max)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.5

Health

Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited

Ref: VT CCL Reg 5.5

Health

Fire drill records current (monthly)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.3

Emergency

Severe weather drill records current (quarterly)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.3

Emergency

Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.3

Emergency

Emergency evacuation plan posted and current

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.3

Emergency

Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.2

Emergency

Emergency contact lists readily available

Ref: VT CCL Reg 8.3

Emergency

Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times

Ref: VT CCL Reg 6.1

Operations

STARS rating posted (if participating)

Ref: VT STARS

Operations

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Vermont 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

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

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