What does a daycare have to post on the wall?

A licensed daycare has two separate sets of required postings. First, the labor law posters any employer must display if it has employees — federal posters (minimum wage, OSHA, EEO, and others) and your state's labor poster. Second, the childcare-licensing postings inspectors check for: your current license certificate, emergency and evacuation plans, the daily or weekly menu, an allergy and emergency-care list, and the state child-abuse reporting hotline number. Generic poster vendors only cover the first set.

Do labor law posters cover everything a daycare needs to display?

No. Labor law posters cover your obligations as an employer — wage, safety, and anti-discrimination notices for staff. They do not satisfy childcare-licensing posting rules, which are about parents and child safety: your license certificate, posted evacuation routes, the menu, allergy lists, and the abuse-reporting hotline. A licensing inspector checks the second set, and a generic poster pack will not include any of it.

Do I need a license posted if I run a small home daycare?

If your state requires you to be licensed or registered, it almost always requires you to post that license or registration where parents can see it. Many states exempt very small home providers (often those caring for only one or two families' children) from licensing entirely — in that case there is no certificate to post. Check your state's exemption threshold and posting rule before assuming either way.

Where do I post the child-abuse reporting hotline number?

Post the state child-abuse and neglect reporting hotline where both staff and parents can see it — commonly near the sign-in area or in the staff break area. Several states name a specific toll-free number in their licensing rules and require it to be disclosed to parents. Your state's child-abuse reporting policy citation lists the exact number.

What happens if a required posting is missing during an inspection?

A missing posting is one of the most common, and most avoidable, inspection citations. Depending on the state and the item, it is usually a lower-tier paperwork or administrative deficiency with a short correction deadline — but a missing license certificate or evacuation plan can be treated more seriously. Repeat citations in the same area can escalate to a corrective action plan.

Compliance Checklist

What a Daycare Must Post on the Wall

The required postings checklist

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

The short version: A licensed daycare has two separate sets of required postings. One is the labor law posters any employer with staff has to display. The other is the childcare-licensing postings your inspector checks for — your license certificate, evacuation plan, posted menu, allergy list, and the abuse-reporting hotline. The poster pack you buy online only covers the first set.

Most new center owners buy a laminated “all-in-one” labor law poster, hang it by the time clock, and assume they are covered. They are not. That poster answers a different question than the one your licensing inspector is asking. The labor poster is about your obligations to employees. Childcare licensing is about children and parents — a completely separate list of items, and the one that gets cited.

Set 1 — for your staff

Federal and state labor law posters

Required of any business that has employees. Enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor and your state labor agency — not by childcare licensing. If you are a solo home provider with no employees, most of these do not apply to you yet.

Set 2 — for parents and inspectors

Childcare-licensing postings

Required by your state childcare licensing agency. This is the set generic poster vendors do not sell, the set a licensing inspector actually walks the building to verify, and the set behind most posting-related citations.

Set 1: The labor law posters

If you employ anyone, post these where staff can see them — typically a break room or near the time clock. A single combined federal-plus-state poster, ordered free from the U.S. Department of Labor and your state labor department, covers most of them. You do not need to buy a paid “compliance poster” subscription to be legal.

✓
Federal minimum wage (FLSA)
Required for any business with employees. Covers minimum wage, overtime, and child labor rules.
✓
OSHA “Job Safety and Health”
Workplace safety rights and how to report a hazard. Required for nearly all private employers.
✓
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
“Know Your Rights” anti-discrimination notice. Required once you hit the federal employee-count threshold.
✓
FMLA (where it applies)
Family and Medical Leave Act notice. Required only for employers at or above the FMLA size threshold.
✓
USERRA and polygraph notices
Military leave rights and the federal polygraph-protection notice. Part of the standard federal poster set.
✓
Your state's labor poster
State minimum wage, paid leave, workers' comp, and unemployment notices. Varies by state — get it from your state labor department.

Which federal posters apply depends on your employee count and whether you take federal contracts. Get the current federal poster set free at dol.gov, and your state poster from your state labor department. Order both before your first hire.

Set 2: The childcare-licensing postings poster vendors miss

This is the list that determines whether you pass an inspection. The exact wording and which items are mandatory vary by state, but these are the postings that show up across state childcare regulations again and again. None of them come in a generic labor-poster pack.

Key point: The childcare-licensing postings a daycare typically must display — the current license certificate, an emergency and evacuation plan, the posted menu, an allergy and emergency-care list, and the state child-abuse reporting hotline — are not included in any standard labor law poster set and must be sourced separately.

✓
Current childcare license certificate
Your active state license or registration, posted where parents can see it. Most states require this, and it is often the first thing an inspector looks for.
✓
Emergency and evacuation plan
The evacuation route and emergency procedures, frequently required to be posted in each individual room showing that room's exit path.
✓
Posted menu
The current daily or weekly menu of meals and snacks, posted where families can read it. Required in states that regulate food service.
✓
Allergy and emergency-care list
A current list of children's food allergies and emergency-care instructions, kept posted in food-prep and care areas (with privacy handled per your state's rules).
✓
Child-abuse reporting hotline
The state child-abuse and neglect reporting number, posted for staff and parents. Several states name a specific toll-free hotline in their rules.
✓
Complaint / licensing contact
How to reach the licensing agency to file a complaint. Many states require this number be posted or disclosed to families.
✓
Staffing and ratio information
Some states require posted notice of the staff-to-child ratios in use, or a posted daily attendance and staffing record.

Posting requirements are written into each state's licensing rules. See exactly what your state requires.

See State Requirements

Posting enforcement by state

Postings are checked during licensing inspections, and a missing one is a citable deficiency. Below is the licensing agency that enforces postings in each state, with a short note on how that state handles non-compliance. The full posting rules — including the exact items your state names — live on each state's requirements page.

State	Licensing Agency (enforces postings)	What a Missing Posting Can Trigger
Alabama	Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)	Per Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-26-.10 and Code of Ala. 1975, Title 38, Chapter 7: operating a child care facility without a license/six-month permit/approval,…
Alaska	Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance, Child Care Program Office (CCPO) — Child Care Licensing Program	Enforcement is governed by 7 AAC 57.900 under AS 47.32 (Centralized Licensing)
Arizona	Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care	Fines; corrective action; license revocation under ARS §36-897.01
Arkansas	Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE)	Civil monetary penalties under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-203 (Penalties): Class A violations (essential standards — fire, health, safety, nutrition, staff-to-ch…
California	California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division	Fines up to $150/day per deficiency; license suspension or revocation; criminal penalties for certain violations under Health & Safety Code §1596.885
Colorado	Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA)	Civil penalties under 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.113 (Civil Penalties and Injunctions), implementing the Child Care Licensing Act at C.R.S
Connecticut	Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing	Operating a child care center or group child care home without a current and valid license is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100 per day for ea…
Delaware	Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL)	Under 14 Del.C. §3005A (Penalties for violations, Delaware Child Care Act): OCCL may impose civil penalties not to exceed $1,000 for each violation of §3004A…
Florida	Florida Department of Children and Families, Child Care Licensing	Fines up to $100/day per Class I violation; up to $50/day per Class II violation; license revocation under Florida Statutes §402.310
Georgia	Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning	Administrative sanctions; fines; license denial, suspension, or revocation under Georgia Code §20-1A-43
Hawaii	Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program	Statutory penalty under HRS §346-156 (Penalty; remedies): any person/entity violating any provision of HRS ch
Idaho	Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Welfare (Self-Reliance) — daycare licensing; IdahoSTARS Customer Support Specialists collect documentation and assist applicants through the state licensing process on behalf of the Department	Operating a daycare facility without first obtaining a basic daycare license is a misdemeanor (Idaho Code § 39-1115(1)); if found operating without a license…
Illinois	Illinois Department of Children and Family Services	Fines up to $5,000; license suspension or revocation under 225 ILCS 10/9
Indiana	Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care	General civil penalty: in addition to other penalties under the chapter, the division may impose a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for a violation of t…
Iowa	Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — child care licensing program	A license may be denied (Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-109.2(3)) or revoked/suspended (441-109.2(4)) for noncompliance with Chapter 109 standards; adverse-action n…
Kansas	Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, Child Care Licensing Program	Criminal: a violation of article 5 of chapter 65 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $50, and each day the person fails o…
Kentucky	Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General — Division of Regulated Child Care (DRCC), which licenses and investigates complaints against licensed child-care centers and certified family child-care homes; child-care standards developed in coordination with the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) Division of Child Care	Civil penalties under 922 KAR 2:190 (authorized by KRS 199.990): Type A violation (creates harm or imminent danger) — no more than $1,000 for each occurrence…
Louisiana	Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Bulletin 137 - Louisiana's Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations (LAC Title 28, Part CLXI)	Civil fines under La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1105 (Identified Violations and Fines): for a second violation/deficiency of the same standard within a…
Maine	Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation Unit	Civil penalties under 10-148 C.M.R. ch. 32, § 21 and 22 M.R.S. § 7702-B: Operating a child care facility without a license - not less than $500 nor more than…
Maryland	Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood, Office of Child Care (OCC), Licensing Branch	Civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation; each day a violation occurs or the center operates illegally is a separate violation; the total amo…
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care	Fines up to $1,000/day; license suspension or revocation under MGL c.15D §11
Michigan	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems	Fines; license refusal, suspension, or revocation under MCL 722.128
Minnesota	Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Child Care Centers Licensing. Note: child care center licensing transferred from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to DCYF effective June 18, 2025. Existing DHS-issued licenses remain valid and license holders need not reapply; the governing rules (Minn. Rules ch. 9503) remain in force, and the licensing statutes formerly in Minn. Stat. ch. 245A have been recodified into Minn. Stat. ch. 142B (licensing) and ch. 142C (certification).	For child care centers under the DCYF chapter, the commissioner may issue a correction order or conditional license (Minn
Mississippi	Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities)	Monetary penalties under Rule 1.25.9 (authority Miss
Missouri	Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Childhood — Section for Child Care Regulation/Compliance (licensing of Group Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers under 5 CSR 25-500). Licensing authority and rulemaking transferred from the Dept. of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to the DESE Office of Childhood in 2021; the licensing rules were formally MOVED from 19 CSR 30-62 to 5 CSR 25-500 (Title 5, Division 25, Chapter 500) and the old 19 CSR 30-62 sections now read 'Moved to 5 CSR 25-500.XXX'. DHSS retains the day care immunization rule (19 CSR 20-28.040) and the Family Care Safety Registry.	Per RSMo 210.245: violating any provision of sections 210.201 to 210.245 (child care licensing law) is a class C misdemeanor for a first offense with a fine…
Montana	Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program	Establishing or maintaining a day-care facility without first obtaining a license or registration certificate is a misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction by…
Nebraska	Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit - Children's Services Licensing (Child Care Centers)	Under 391 NAC 3-008.02 (Types of Disciplinary Action), DHHS may impose any one or a combination of: (1) a probationary license; (2) suspension or revocation…
Nevada	Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) program. (Statewide child care licensing is consolidated under DWSS; the last county program, Washoe, transferred to the state on July 1, 2024.)	For licensure violations, the Division may, under NRS 432A.186 (Administrative sanctions): impose an administrative penalty of not more than $1,000 per day f…
New Hampshire	New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU)	Administrative fines under N.H. Admin. Code He-C 4002.45 (verified): non-compliance with license provisions $200 plus $100/day (repeat $500 plus $100/day); o…
New Jersey	New Jersey Division of Family Development, Office of Licensing	Fines; license suspension or revocation under NJSA 30:5B-30
New Mexico	New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), Child Care Services Bureau - Regulatory Oversight Unit. Note: The administrative rule text (8.16.2 NMAC) still names "Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)" as the issuing agency at 8.16.2.1 NMAC because it was last amended 1/1/2022; statutory authority for child care licensing transferred to ECECD effective 2020.	Civil monetary penalties under 8.16.2.13 NMAC are assessed by deficiency class at the rate of the most serious deficiency cited: Class A deficiency — not les…
New York	New York State Office of Children and Family Services	Fines up to $500/violation; corrective action plan; revocation under Social Services Law §390
North Carolina	North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education	Civil penalty up to $5,000/day; license revocation under NC General Statutes §110-103
North Dakota	North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit)	Criminal: Any person or entity that violates any provision of N.D.C.C
Ohio	Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Bureau of Child Care and Development	Fines up to $500/day; license revocation under Ohio Revised Code §5104.05
Oklahoma	Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), Child Care Services (CCS) / Licensing	Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act (10 O.S
Oregon	Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) — formerly the Office of Child Care / Early Learning Division	Civil penalties under OAR 414-305-1620: CCLD may assess up to $2,500 per violation of the rules or terms and conditions of certification (414-305-1620(1))
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services	Fines up to $5,000/day; provisional, suspended, or revoked certificate under Human Services Code §1026
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Care, Child Care Licensing Unit	Per R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12.5-7(b): operating or conducting a child day care facility without a license, after license revocation/suspension, or refusing reas…
South Carolina	South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing	Operating without a license or violating any provision of the childcare chapter is a misdemeanor: upon conviction, a fine not exceeding $1,500 or imprisonmen…
South Dakota	South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Child Care Services — Office of Licensing and Accreditation (OLA), 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501	Noncompliance is typically addressed via a plan of correction (ARSD 67:42:17:03)
Tennessee	Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services	Under T.C.A. 71-3-509, TDHS may assess a civil penalty for each separate violation ranging from fifty dollars ($50) for minor violations up to a maximum of o…
Texas	Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing	Fines up to $2,000/day per violation; corrective action plan; license denial, suspension, or revocation under Texas Human Resources Code §42.078
Utah	Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Licensing and Background Checks (DLBC), Office of Licensing — Child Care Licensing	Enforcement under Utah Admin. Code R380-600-8 (Rule Compliance, Penalties, Agency Action Reviews, and Appeals). The Office of Licensing may issue corrective…
Vermont	Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD) — Child Care Licensing Unit	Enforcement is administrative, not a fixed monetary fine schedule
Virginia	Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs	Civil penalty up to $5,000/violation; license suspension or revocation under Virginia Code §63.2-1709
Washington	Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families	Civil fines; license suspension or revocation under RCW 43.216.325
West Virginia	West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance, Division of Early Care and Education (Child Care Licensing). Effective Jan 1, 2024, the former Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was split into three departments; child care licensing now sits under DoHS. The current child care center rule (78 CSR 1, filed Mar 30, 2023, effective Apr 1, 2023) is captioned 'Department of Human Services,' but its internal definitions (e.g., §78-1-3.52 'Secretary') still reference the 'Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.'	Operating a child care center without a license when one is required is a misdemeanor: upon conviction, confinement in jail not exceeding one (1) year, or a…
Wisconsin	Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), Division of Early Care and Education	Enforcement under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 251.12(3) (department may order any sanction or impose any penalty in accordance with ss. 48.686, 48.715, or 48.76, St…
Wyoming	Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), Child Care Licensing	Operating a child caring facility without certification is a misdemeanor under W.S

Alabama

Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)

Per Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-26-.10 and Code of Ala. 1975, Title 38, Chapter 7: operating a child care facility without a license/six-month permit/approval,…

Alaska

Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance, Child Care Program Office (CCPO) — Child Care Licensing Program

Enforcement is governed by 7 AAC 57.900 under AS 47.32 (Centralized Licensing)

Arizona

Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care

Fines; corrective action; license revocation under ARS §36-897.01

Arkansas

Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE)

Civil monetary penalties under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-203 (Penalties): Class A violations (essential standards — fire, health, safety, nutrition, staff-to-ch…

California

California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division

Fines up to $150/day per deficiency; license suspension or revocation; criminal penalties for certain violations under Health & Safety Code §1596.885

Colorado

Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA)

Civil penalties under 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.113 (Civil Penalties and Injunctions), implementing the Child Care Licensing Act at C.R.S

Connecticut

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing

Operating a child care center or group child care home without a current and valid license is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100 per day for ea…

Delaware

Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL)

Under 14 Del.C. §3005A (Penalties for violations, Delaware Child Care Act): OCCL may impose civil penalties not to exceed $1,000 for each violation of §3004A…

Florida

Florida Department of Children and Families, Child Care Licensing

Fines up to $100/day per Class I violation; up to $50/day per Class II violation; license revocation under Florida Statutes §402.310

Georgia

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning

Administrative sanctions; fines; license denial, suspension, or revocation under Georgia Code §20-1A-43

Hawaii

Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) — Child Care Licensing Program

Statutory penalty under HRS §346-156 (Penalty; remedies): any person/entity violating any provision of HRS ch

Idaho

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Welfare (Self-Reliance) — daycare licensing; IdahoSTARS Customer Support Specialists collect documentation and assist applicants through the state licensing process on behalf of the Department

Operating a daycare facility without first obtaining a basic daycare license is a misdemeanor (Idaho Code § 39-1115(1)); if found operating without a license…

Illinois

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

Fines up to $5,000; license suspension or revocation under 225 ILCS 10/9

Indiana

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care

General civil penalty: in addition to other penalties under the chapter, the division may impose a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for a violation of t…

Iowa

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — child care licensing program

A license may be denied (Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-109.2(3)) or revoked/suspended (441-109.2(4)) for noncompliance with Chapter 109 standards; adverse-action n…

Kansas

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, Child Care Licensing Program

Criminal: a violation of article 5 of chapter 65 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $50, and each day the person fails o…

Kentucky

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General — Division of Regulated Child Care (DRCC), which licenses and investigates complaints against licensed child-care centers and certified family child-care homes; child-care standards developed in coordination with the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) Division of Child Care

Civil penalties under 922 KAR 2:190 (authorized by KRS 199.990): Type A violation (creates harm or imminent danger) — no more than $1,000 for each occurrence…

Louisiana

Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Bulletin 137 - Louisiana's Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations (LAC Title 28, Part CLXI)

Civil fines under La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1105 (Identified Violations and Fines): for a second violation/deficiency of the same standard within a…

Maine

Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation Unit

Civil penalties under 10-148 C.M.R. ch. 32, § 21 and 22 M.R.S. § 7702-B: Operating a child care facility without a license - not less than $500 nor more than…

Maryland

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood, Office of Child Care (OCC), Licensing Branch

Civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation; each day a violation occurs or the center operates illegally is a separate violation; the total amo…

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care

Fines up to $1,000/day; license suspension or revocation under MGL c.15D §11

Michigan

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems

Fines; license refusal, suspension, or revocation under MCL 722.128

Minnesota

Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Child Care Centers Licensing. Note: child care center licensing transferred from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to DCYF effective June 18, 2025. Existing DHS-issued licenses remain valid and license holders need not reapply; the governing rules (Minn. Rules ch. 9503) remain in force, and the licensing statutes formerly in Minn. Stat. ch. 245A have been recodified into Minn. Stat. ch. 142B (licensing) and ch. 142C (certification).

For child care centers under the DCYF chapter, the commissioner may issue a correction order or conditional license (Minn

Mississippi

Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities)

Monetary penalties under Rule 1.25.9 (authority Miss

Missouri

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Childhood — Section for Child Care Regulation/Compliance (licensing of Group Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers under 5 CSR 25-500). Licensing authority and rulemaking transferred from the Dept. of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to the DESE Office of Childhood in 2021; the licensing rules were formally MOVED from 19 CSR 30-62 to 5 CSR 25-500 (Title 5, Division 25, Chapter 500) and the old 19 CSR 30-62 sections now read 'Moved to 5 CSR 25-500.XXX'. DHSS retains the day care immunization rule (19 CSR 20-28.040) and the Family Care Safety Registry.

Per RSMo 210.245: violating any provision of sections 210.201 to 210.245 (child care licensing law) is a class C misdemeanor for a first offense with a fine…

Montana

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program

Establishing or maintaining a day-care facility without first obtaining a license or registration certificate is a misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction by…

Nebraska

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit - Children's Services Licensing (Child Care Centers)

Under 391 NAC 3-008.02 (Types of Disciplinary Action), DHHS may impose any one or a combination of: (1) a probationary license; (2) suspension or revocation…

Nevada

Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) program. (Statewide child care licensing is consolidated under DWSS; the last county program, Washoe, transferred to the state on July 1, 2024.)

For licensure violations, the Division may, under NRS 432A.186 (Administrative sanctions): impose an administrative penalty of not more than $1,000 per day f…

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU)

Administrative fines under N.H. Admin. Code He-C 4002.45 (verified): non-compliance with license provisions $200 plus $100/day (repeat $500 plus $100/day); o…

New Jersey

New Jersey Division of Family Development, Office of Licensing

Fines; license suspension or revocation under NJSA 30:5B-30

New Mexico

New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), Child Care Services Bureau - Regulatory Oversight Unit. Note: The administrative rule text (8.16.2 NMAC) still names "Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)" as the issuing agency at 8.16.2.1 NMAC because it was last amended 1/1/2022; statutory authority for child care licensing transferred to ECECD effective 2020.

Civil monetary penalties under 8.16.2.13 NMAC are assessed by deficiency class at the rate of the most serious deficiency cited: Class A deficiency — not les…

New York

New York State Office of Children and Family Services

Fines up to $500/violation; corrective action plan; revocation under Social Services Law §390

North Carolina

North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education

Civil penalty up to $5,000/day; license revocation under NC General Statutes §110-103

North Dakota

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit)

Criminal: Any person or entity that violates any provision of N.D.C.C

Ohio

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Bureau of Child Care and Development

Fines up to $500/day; license revocation under Ohio Revised Code §5104.05

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), Child Care Services (CCS) / Licensing

Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act (10 O.S

Oregon

Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) — formerly the Office of Child Care / Early Learning Division

Civil penalties under OAR 414-305-1620: CCLD may assess up to $2,500 per violation of the rules or terms and conditions of certification (414-305-1620(1))

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services

Fines up to $5,000/day; provisional, suspended, or revoked certificate under Human Services Code §1026

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Care, Child Care Licensing Unit

Per R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12.5-7(b): operating or conducting a child day care facility without a license, after license revocation/suspension, or refusing reas…

South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing

Operating without a license or violating any provision of the childcare chapter is a misdemeanor: upon conviction, a fine not exceeding $1,500 or imprisonmen…

South Dakota

South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Child Care Services — Office of Licensing and Accreditation (OLA), 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501

Noncompliance is typically addressed via a plan of correction (ARSD 67:42:17:03)

Tennessee

Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services

Under T.C.A. 71-3-509, TDHS may assess a civil penalty for each separate violation ranging from fifty dollars ($50) for minor violations up to a maximum of o…

Texas

Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing

Fines up to $2,000/day per violation; corrective action plan; license denial, suspension, or revocation under Texas Human Resources Code §42.078

Utah

Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Licensing and Background Checks (DLBC), Office of Licensing — Child Care Licensing

Enforcement under Utah Admin. Code R380-600-8 (Rule Compliance, Penalties, Agency Action Reviews, and Appeals). The Office of Licensing may issue corrective…

Vermont

Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD) — Child Care Licensing Unit

Enforcement is administrative, not a fixed monetary fine schedule

Virginia

Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs

Civil penalty up to $5,000/violation; license suspension or revocation under Virginia Code §63.2-1709

Washington

Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Civil fines; license suspension or revocation under RCW 43.216.325

West Virginia

West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance, Division of Early Care and Education (Child Care Licensing). Effective Jan 1, 2024, the former Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was split into three departments; child care licensing now sits under DoHS. The current child care center rule (78 CSR 1, filed Mar 30, 2023, effective Apr 1, 2023) is captioned 'Department of Human Services,' but its internal definitions (e.g., §78-1-3.52 'Secretary') still reference the 'Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.'

Operating a child care center without a license when one is required is a misdemeanor: upon conviction, confinement in jail not exceeding one (1) year, or a…

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), Division of Early Care and Education

Enforcement under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 251.12(3) (department may order any sanction or impose any penalty in accordance with ss. 48.686, 48.715, or 48.76, St…

Wyoming

Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), Child Care Licensing

Operating a child caring facility without certification is a misdemeanor under W.S

Enforcement summaries are condensed from each state's published licensing rules and are provided for orientation only. Penalty structures and posting requirements change — verify the current rule with your state agency. For the deeper penalty detail, see inspection frequency and penalties by state.

How to get your postings set up

Order both poster sets before you open

Get the free federal poster set from dol.gov and your state labor poster from your state labor department. If you have no employees yet, you can skip the labor set until your first hire — but the licensing set applies the day you open.

Post your license certificate where parents enter

Frame and hang your current state license near the sign-in area. Keep it current — an expired certificate on the wall reads as a lapse to an inspector.

Post evacuation plans room by room

Each care room generally needs its own posted evacuation diagram showing that room's exit path, plus the emergency procedures. Walk the building and confirm one is up in every room before opening day.

Post the menu, allergy list, and hotline

Hang the current menu where families can read it, keep an up-to-date allergy and emergency-care list posted in food and care areas, and post the state child-abuse reporting number for staff and parents. Update the menu and allergy list as they change.

Frequently asked questions about daycare required postings

What does a daycare have to post on the wall?: A licensed daycare has two separate sets of required postings. First, the labor law posters any employer must display if it has employees — federal posters (minimum wage, OSHA, EEO, and others) and your state's labor poster. Second, the childcare-licensing postings inspectors check for: your current license certificate, emergency and evacuation plans, the daily or weekly menu, an allergy and emergency-care list, and the state child-abuse reporting hotline number. Generic poster vendors only cover the first set.
Do labor law posters cover everything a daycare needs to display?: No. Labor law posters cover your obligations as an employer — wage, safety, and anti-discrimination notices for staff. They do not satisfy childcare-licensing posting rules, which are about parents and child safety: your license certificate, posted evacuation routes, the menu, allergy lists, and the abuse-reporting hotline. A licensing inspector checks the second set, and a generic poster pack will not include any of it.
Do I need a license posted if I run a small home daycare?: If your state requires you to be licensed or registered, it almost always requires you to post that license or registration where parents can see it. Many states exempt very small home providers (often those caring for only one or two families' children) from licensing entirely — in that case there is no certificate to post. Check your state's exemption threshold and posting rule before assuming either way.
Where do I post the child-abuse reporting hotline number?: Post the state child-abuse and neglect reporting hotline where both staff and parents can see it — commonly near the sign-in area or in the staff break area. Several states name a specific toll-free number in their licensing rules and require it to be disclosed to parents. Your state's child-abuse reporting policy citation lists the exact number.
What happens if a required posting is missing during an inspection?: A missing posting is one of the most common, and most avoidable, inspection citations. Depending on the state and the item, it is usually a lower-tier paperwork or administrative deficiency with a short correction deadline — but a missing license certificate or evacuation plan can be treated more seriously. Repeat citations in the same area can escalate to a corrective action plan.

Related guides

Emergency Procedures Policy

The written plan behind the evacuation diagram you post in each room.

Read the guide →

State Childcare Licensing Requirements

The full posting, ratio, and policy rules for your state.

Check your state →

Opening or staffing up?

The postings are one line on a long list

Wall postings sit alongside the staff handbook, operations manual, and inspection-prep checklist your inspector also looks for. The TotReady Startup Bundle builds those documents state-specific, so the paperwork side of opening is handled while you order the posters.

See the Startup Bundle →

One-time purchase · State-specific documents

Posting requirements are compiled from published state licensing and federal labor rules and are provided for informational purposes only. Which posters apply, and exactly what your state requires you to display, can change — always verify current requirements with your state childcare licensing agency and the U.S. Department of Labor. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.