DCYF Foundational Quality Standards (WAC 110-300) Compliant

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.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Washington licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Birth through 11 months. Alternative: 1:3 with max group 9. Standard (most restrictive) used here.
1:48 children
toddler
12 through 29 months. Alternative: 1:5 with max group 15. Standard (most restrictive) used here.
1:714 children
Preschool (3-5 years)
30 months through children not yet enrolled in kindergarten or elementary school. Age 6 (72 months) used as practical upper bound for non-enrolled children.
1:1020 children
School Age (5+ years)
Children 5–12 years enrolled in or attending kindergarten or elementary school. Upper bound is explicitly 12 years (144 months) per WAC 110-300-0356.
1:1530 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

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

First Aid (Washington)

First aid certification required for all staff

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Food Worker Card (Washington)

Washington Food Worker Card required for staff handling food

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

HIV/AIDS/Blood-Borne Pathogens (Washington)

Training on HIV/AIDS and blood-borne pathogens required

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Initial Training (30 hours)

Washington required 30 hours basic training within first 90 days per WAC 110-300-0107

Document required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

MERIT Registration (Washington)

Washington MERIT (Managed Education and Registry Information Tool) registration required

Document required

Pediatric CPR (Washington)

Infant and child CPR certification required per WAC 110-300-0106

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep Training (Washington)

Safe sleep practices training for infant caregivers

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

STARS Training (10 hours)

Washington required 10 STARS hours annual professional development per WAC 110-300-0107

Renew annuallyDocument required

TB Test/Assessment (Washington)

TB test or risk assessment required for all staff

Document required

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 and evacuation drill once each calendar month, conducted at different times of day. Evacuation is part of this drill, not separate.

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470 (Emergency preparedness plan)

Earthquake

Quarterly

Regulation reads 'earthquake, lockdown, OR shelter-in-place drill once every three calendar months' — one of the three types satisfies the quarterly requirement. Earthquake listed as primary type here.

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470 (Emergency preparedness plan)

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

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: WAC 110-300-0015

Licensing

Capacity not exceeded

Ref: WAC 110-300-0015

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: WAC 110-300-0015

Licensing

Written policies and procedures available

Ref: WAC 110-300-0015

Licensing

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: WAC 110-300-0015

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)

Ref: WAC 110-300-0145

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)

Ref: WAC 110-300-0145

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained (65-75°F)

Ref: WAC 110-300-0145

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: WAC 110-300-0145

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: WAC 110-300-0145

Physical Environment

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: WAC 110-300-0145

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: WAC 110-300-0145

Physical Environment

Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate

Ref: WAC 110-300-0265

Physical Environment

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: WAC 110-300-0150

Physical Environment

Fall zones with resilient surfacing

Ref: WAC 110-300-0150

Physical Environment

Daily health check performed

Ref: WAC 110-300-0200

Health Practices

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: WAC 110-300-0200

Health Practices

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: WAC 110-300-0235

Health Practices

Medications stored locked and inaccessible

Ref: WAC 110-300-0215

Health Practices

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: WAC 110-300-0475

Health Practices

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: WAC 110-300-0205

Health Practices

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: WAC 110-300-0265

Health Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470

Safety Practices

Smoke detectors working

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470

Safety Practices

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470

Safety Practices

Fire drills conducted monthly

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470

Safety Practices

Earthquake drills quarterly

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470

Safety Practices

Lockdown drills quarterly

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470

Safety Practices

Evacuation drill annually

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470

Safety Practices

Drill records documented properly

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470

Safety Practices

Emergency preparedness plan posted

Ref: WAC 110-300-0470

Safety Practices

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: WAC 110-300-0175

Safety Practices

Background check current for all staff

Ref: WAC 110-300-0100

Staff Requirements

MERIT registration current

Ref: WAC 110-300-0100

Staff Requirements

Program supervisor meets qualifications

Ref: WAC 110-300-0100

Staff Requirements

CPR certification current

Ref: WAC 110-300-0106

Staff Requirements

First Aid certification current

Ref: WAC 110-300-0106

Staff Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: WAC 110-300-0345

Staff Requirements

STARS training completed (10 hours/year)

Ref: WAC 110-300-0107

Staff Requirements

Initial 30-hour training (within 90 days)

Ref: WAC 110-300-0107

Staff Requirements

TB test/assessment on file

Ref: WAC 110-300-0100

Staff Requirements

Food Worker Card current (food handlers)

Ref: WAC 110-300-0100

Staff Requirements

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: WAC 110-300-0465

Child Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: WAC 110-300-0465

Child Records

Immunization records on file (CIS form)

Ref: WAC 246-105

Child Records

Health history within 30 days of enrollment

Ref: WAC 110-300-0465

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: WAC 110-300-0465

Child Records

Individual Care Plan (if applicable)

Ref: WAC 110-300-0465

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: WAC 110-300-0345

Supervision

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: WAC 110-300-0465

Supervision

Track your Washington compliance digitally

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Washington 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

IdahoOregon

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

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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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