Arkansas Childcare Licensing Requirements
Arkansas childcare centers must include 13 mandatory sections in parent handbooks per Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005 (Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers), Section 100/102 General Requirements (umbrella; the MLR has no dedicated 'hours of operation' section). Parent access during hours of operation is governed by Section 401 item 10 ('Parents shall not be denied access to their child at any time during hours of operation'). The 'fewer than 10 hours/week' threshold is part of the Section 202 Definitions/exemption framework (no more than 5 hours/day or 10 hours/week), not a numbered hours-of-operation section..
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamRequired Handbook Sections
The following sections must appear in every Arkansas childcare parent handbook per state licensing rules.
| Section | Description | Citation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours of Operation | Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005 (Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers), Section 100/102 General Requirements (umbrella; the MLR has no dedicated 'hours of operation' section). Parent access during hours of operation is governed by Section 401 item 10 ('Parents shall not be denied access to their child at any time during hours of operation'). The 'fewer than 10 hours/week' threshold is part of the Section 202 Definitions/exemption framework (no more than 5 hours/day or 10 hours/week), not a numbered hours-of-operation section. | Required |
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline PolicyGuide → | Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 500 Behavior Guidance (Section 501 Behavior Guidance Requirements; Section 502 Infant & Toddler Behavior Guidance Requirements) — confirmed verbatim, incl. no physical punishment and time-out not to exceed 1 minute per year of age. | Required |
| Illness and Exclusion PolicyGuide → | Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1100 Health / Section 1101 General Health Requirements (no child/staff with a contagious or infectious disease admitted; temporary exclusion for fever, diarrhea, contagious disease; fever over 103°F). | Required |
| Medication Administration PolicyGuide → | Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1100 Health / Section 1101 General Health Requirements (medication in original container with child-resistant cap, written parental permission, no dosages exceeding label recommendations; administering staff initials permission slip and records date/time/dosage). | Required |
| Emergency ProceduresGuide → | Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1200 Safety / Section 1201 Safety Requirements (written emergency/disaster plan per Act 801 of 2009; fire and tornado drills practiced monthly on separate days; posted evacuation diagrams; evacuation pack required). | Required |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 600 Records / Section 601 Record Requirements (children signed in and out daily by a parent or guardian, or designee; electronic sign-in/out permitted). | Required |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | Meals and snacks provided; food allergy procedures; outside food policy. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 700 Nutrition (Section 701 Nutrition Requirements; Section 702 Infant & Toddler Nutrition Requirements). | Required |
| Parent Communication Policy | Daily report procedures; how to reach staff; parent conference schedule. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 400 Program / Section 401 Program Requirements for all ages, item 11 (at least four (4) Division-approved opportunities for parental involvement) — umbrella; the MLR has no standalone 'parent communication' section. | Required |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | Steps for resolving concerns; contact for unresolved complaints. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 105 Appeal of Licensing Actions (a Licensee or applicant may request an appeal of any adverse licensing action) — provider appeal. Consumer/parent complaints are handled via Section 108 Licensing Investigations / the complaint process; the MLR has no standalone consumer 'grievance' section (umbrella). | Required |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | Mandatory reporter obligations; reporting procedures; state hotline. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 100/102 General Requirements (caregivers are mandated reporters required to call the Child Maltreatment Hotline 1-800-482-5964) and Section 109 Child Maltreatment Checks, implementing the Child Maltreatment Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-402 (Mandated reporters). | Required |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | Enrollment process; tuition rates; payment schedule; refund policy. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 604 Children's Records (enrollment/application form contents, emergency contacts, authorizations) and Section 104 License Fee (annual facility license fee: $15 up to 17 children; $50 for 17–99; $100 for 100+). Umbrella — the MLR regulates the facility license fee, not parent tuition/fees. | Required |
| Health and Safety Policies | Handwashing procedures; diapering; sunscreen; rest time policies. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1100 Health (Section 1101 General Health Requirements) and Section 1200 Safety (Section 1201 Safety Requirements); building/physical-environment standards at Section 800 Buildings and playground standards at Section 900. | Required |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | Statement of equal access; protected classes covered. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 100/101 Related Laws and Requirements / Section 102 General Requirements (compliance with applicable federal/state law) — umbrella; the MLR contains no standalone nondiscrimination section. Programs receiving Child Care Assistance/CCDF and CACFP funds are separately bound by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d). | Required |
| Transportation Policy | Vehicle safety requirements; car seat policy; authorization procedures. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1300 Transportation (Section 1301 Transportation Requirements; Section 1302 Infant & Toddler Transportation Requirements). For transporting children kindergarten and above only, a ratio of 1:18 shall be maintained (the driver may be counted); child passenger safety seats required per Act 470 of 2001; transportation rosters and physical seat-by-seat inspection of the vehicle required. | Recommended |
| Field Trip Policy | Authorization requirements; supervision ratios during off-site activities. | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1301 Transportation Requirements (transportation rosters/head counts for field trips; for non-routine purposes such as a field trip a 1:18 ratio applies) with written parental permission for each field trip required and recorded under Section 604 Children's Records. | Recommended |
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Arkansas mandates the following maximum staff-to-child ratios by age group.
| Age Group | Staff-to-Child Ratio |
|---|---|
| Birth – 18 months (infants) | 1:5 |
| 18 months – 36 months (toddlers) | 1:8 |
| 2½ – 3 years | 1:12 |
| 4 years | 1:15 |
| 5 years to Kindergarten | 1:18 |
| Kindergarten and above (school age) | 1:18 (also 1:18 for transporting children kindergarten and above only; driver may be counted) |
Immunization Requirements
- Children must have an authorized record of up-to-date immunizations per the current Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) immunization schedule (MLR Section 604, item h); documentation of a religious or medical exemption is accepted in lieu of records.
- DTaP/DTP/DT (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) — per ADH schedule by age
- Polio (IPV)
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- Hepatitis B
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Pneumococcal (PCV)
- Note: the specific antigen list and schedule are set by ADH (Arkansas Department of Health) rules, not by the MLR; the MLR only requires an 'authorized record of up-to-date immunizations.' Treat the antigen list as the ADH schedule, not as an MLR enumeration.
Background Check Requirements
- Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check via DHS Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) — required for owners/operators at application and every 2 years; staff prior to employment and every 2 years; volunteers/therapists/student observers and administrative staff/board members with routine contact (MLR Section 109)
- Statewide criminal records check by the Arkansas State Police, Identification Bureau, including the Arkansas Sexual Offender Registry (MLR Sections 109/110)
- Nationwide fingerprint-based FBI criminal history records check submitted through the Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau, plus a National Sex Offender Registry check (MLR Sections 109/110)
- Required for owners/operators, directors, all staff, volunteers, therapists, student observers, and administrative/board members with routine contact with children; statutory basis Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-606 (Criminal history records checks required) and § 20-38-101 et seq. (NOTE: the older § 20-78-601–605, including § 20-78-602, were REPEALED by Act 762 of 2009)
Inspection Frequency
Unannounced on-site monitoring visits at least three (3) times per year for child care centers; family/registered homes one to three times annually depending on program type. Conducted by the Office of Early Childhood Child Care Licensing Unit (Licensing Specialists). Statutory inspection/investigation authority: Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-214 (Investigating child care facilities) and MLR Section 108 Licensing Investigations. NOTE: the 'three times per year' frequency is the Division's stated monitoring policy (per DESE/ADE), not a number fixed in § 20-78-214.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Civil monetary penalties under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-203 (Penalties): Class A violations (essential standards — fire, health, safety, nutrition, staff-to-child ratio, space; operating unlicensed = Class A) = $100 per violation; Class B violations (administrative standards) = $50 per violation; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense and aggregate fines in any one month shall not exceed $500. Criminal penalty (§ 20-78-203): any person violating the subchapter or assisting a violation is guilty of a violation and upon conviction fined not less than $25.00 and not more than $100.00. License actions — the Division may issue a provisional license, deny, suspend, or revoke a license under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-213 and MLR Section 103 (items on Suspension/Revocation) and Section 105 (Appeal of Licensing Actions). Unpaid fines/penalties are a debt owed the State collectible by civil action; collected fines/penalties are special revenues deposited to the Child Care Fund (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 20-78-219 and 20-78-224).
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many sections must be in a Arkansas childcare parent handbook?
Arkansas childcare centers are required to include at least 13 mandatory sections in their parent handbooks per state licensing regulations enforced by the 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).
Who oversees childcare licensing in Arkansas?
Childcare licensing in Arkansas is regulated by the 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). You can find official licensing information at https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-early-childhood/child-care-licensing.
What happens if a Arkansas childcare center doesn't have a compliant handbook?
Non-compliance with Arkansas parent handbook requirements can result in: Civil monetary penalties under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-203 (Penalties): Class A violations (essential standards — fire, health, safety, nutrition, staff-to-child ratio, space; operating unlicensed = Class A) = $100 per violation; Class B violations (administrative standards) = $50 per violation; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense and aggregate fines in any one month shall not exceed $500. Criminal penalty (§ 20-78-203): any person violating the subchapter or assisting a violation is guilty of a violation and upon conviction fined not less than $25.00 and not more than $100.00. License actions — the Division may issue a provisional license, deny, suspend, or revoke a license under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-213 and MLR Section 103 (items on Suspension/Revocation) and Section 105 (Appeal of Licensing Actions). Unpaid fines/penalties are a debt owed the State collectible by civil action; collected fines/penalties are special revenues deposited to the Child Care Fund (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 20-78-219 and 20-78-224).
How often are Arkansas childcare centers inspected?
Arkansas childcare centers are subject to the following inspection schedule: Unannounced on-site monitoring visits at least three (3) times per year for child care centers; family/registered homes one to three times annually depending on program type. Conducted by the Office of Early Childhood Child Care Licensing Unit (Licensing Specialists). Statutory inspection/investigation authority: Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-214 (Investigating child care facilities) and MLR Section 108 Licensing Investigations. NOTE: the 'three times per year' frequency is the Division's stated monitoring policy (per DESE/ADE), not a number fixed in § 20-78-214.
Detailed Arkansas Requirements
Go deeper on a single Arkansas licensing topic — each page covers the statute-cited specifics for that requirement.
Related Tools
Free tools to help your Arkansas childcare center stay compliant.
Staff-to-Child Ratio Calculator
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