Washington ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Washington DCYF Foundational Quality Standards (WAC 110-300) regulations. Bloomily helps Washington childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Washington licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 12 months | 1:4 | 8 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Toddlers 12-24 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
toddler Toddlers 24-30 months | 1:6 | 12 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Preschool 30 months to 4 years | 1:10 | 20 children |
prek Pre-K 4-5 years | 1:10 | 20 children |
kindergarten Kindergarten 5-6 years | 1:15 | 30 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 6+ years | 1:15 | 30 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Washington childcare staff
Background Check (Washington)
Washington State Patrol and FBI fingerprint background check per WAC 110-300-0100
First Aid (Washington)
First aid certification required for all staff
Food Worker Card (Washington)
Washington Food Worker Card required for staff handling food
HIV/AIDS/Blood-Borne Pathogens (Washington)
Training on HIV/AIDS and blood-borne pathogens required
Initial Training (30 hours)
Washington required 30 hours basic training within first 90 days per WAC 110-300-0107
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
MERIT Registration (Washington)
Washington MERIT (Managed Education and Registry Information Tool) registration required
Pediatric CPR (Washington)
Infant and child CPR certification required per WAC 110-300-0106
Safe Sleep Training (Washington)
Safe sleep practices training for infant caregivers
STARS Training (10 hours)
Washington required 10 STARS hours annual professional development per WAC 110-300-0107
TB Test/Assessment (Washington)
TB test or risk assessment required for all staff
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Washington childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Earthquake
Earthquake drills quarterly (Washington-specific)
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills quarterly
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location annually
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Washington DCYF Foundational Quality Standards (WAC 110-300) requirements
License displayed in prominent location
Ref: WAC 110-300-0015
Capacity not exceeded
Ref: WAC 110-300-0015
Operating within licensed hours
Ref: WAC 110-300-0015
Written policies and procedures available
Ref: WAC 110-300-0015
Parent handbook current and distributed
Ref: WAC 110-300-0015
Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: WAC 110-300-0145
Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)
Ref: WAC 110-300-0145
Temperature maintained (65-75°F)
Ref: WAC 110-300-0145
Adequate lighting in all areas
Ref: WAC 110-300-0145
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: WAC 110-300-0145
Handwashing facilities available
Ref: WAC 110-300-0145
Drinking water readily accessible
Ref: WAC 110-300-0145
Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate
Ref: WAC 110-300-0265
Outdoor equipment safe and maintained
Ref: WAC 110-300-0150
Fall zones with resilient surfacing
Ref: WAC 110-300-0150
Daily health check performed
Ref: WAC 110-300-0200
Handwashing procedures followed
Ref: WAC 110-300-0200
Diapering area sanitized properly
Ref: WAC 110-300-0235
Medications stored locked and inaccessible
Ref: WAC 110-300-0215
First aid supplies stocked and accessible
Ref: WAC 110-300-0475
Illness exclusion policy enforced
Ref: WAC 110-300-0205
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: WAC 110-300-0265
Fire extinguishers inspected annually
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Smoke detectors working
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Emergency exits marked and unobstructed
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Fire drills conducted monthly
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Earthquake drills quarterly
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Lockdown drills quarterly
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Evacuation drill annually
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Drill records documented properly
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Emergency preparedness plan posted
Ref: WAC 110-300-0470
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: WAC 110-300-0175
Background check current for all staff
Ref: WAC 110-300-0100
MERIT registration current
Ref: WAC 110-300-0100
Program supervisor meets qualifications
Ref: WAC 110-300-0100
CPR certification current
Ref: WAC 110-300-0106
First Aid certification current
Ref: WAC 110-300-0106
Staff-to-child ratios maintained
Ref: WAC 110-300-0345
STARS training completed (10 hours/year)
Ref: WAC 110-300-0107
Initial 30-hour training (within 90 days)
Ref: WAC 110-300-0107
TB test/assessment on file
Ref: WAC 110-300-0100
Food Worker Card current (food handlers)
Ref: WAC 110-300-0100
Enrollment forms complete
Ref: WAC 110-300-0465
Emergency contact information current
Ref: WAC 110-300-0465
Immunization records on file (CIS form)
Ref: WAC 246-105
Health history within 30 days of enrollment
Ref: WAC 110-300-0465
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: WAC 110-300-0465
Individual Care Plan (if applicable)
Ref: WAC 110-300-0465
Children supervised at all times
Ref: WAC 110-300-0345
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: WAC 110-300-0465
Track your Washington 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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