Colorado Childcare Licensing Requirements
Colorado childcare centers must include 13 mandatory sections in parent handbooks per 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.206 (Statement of Policies and Procedures), subsection (B)(3) (the hours the center is open, special program hours, and closure holidays).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamRequired Handbook Sections
The following sections must appear in every Colorado 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. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.206 (Statement of Policies and Procedures), subsection (B)(3) (the hours the center is open, special program hours, and closure holidays) | Required |
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline PolicyGuide → | Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.225 (Guidance) - prohibits corporal punishment per C.R.S. 22-1-140; positive-guidance policy required in the Statement of Policies and Procedures at Rule 2.206(B)(8) | Required |
| Illness and Exclusion PolicyGuide → | Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures. | 6 CCR 1010-7.10 (CDPHE - Disease Prevention; written exclusion/illness policy and exclusion of ill children at 7.10.1(C)); illness/accident/injury handling procedure also required in center policy under 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.206(B)(10) | Required |
| Medication Administration PolicyGuide → | Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.220 (Medication); nurse delegation per the Nurse and Nurse Aide Practice Act, C.R.S. 12-255-101 et seq. | Required |
| Emergency ProceduresGuide → | Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.207 (Communication, Emergency, and Security Procedures); General Rules 2.134 (Evacuation, Shelter in Place, Lockdown, and Active Shooter on Premises Plans) and 2.138 (Fire, Natural Disaster, and Emergency Drills) | Required |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.207 (Communication, Emergency, and Security Procedures), subsection (A) (sign-in/sign-out) and subsections (F)-(H) (release of children / closing procedures) | Required |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | Meals and snacks provided; food allergy procedures; outside food policy. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.224 (Food and Nutrition); meals/snacks must meet current USDA CACFP meal pattern, 7 C.F.R. 210.10 and 226.20 | Required |
| Parent Communication Policy | Daily report procedures; how to reach staff; parent conference schedule. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.206 (Statement of Policies and Procedures), subsection (B)(24) (procedure for parent and staff conferences); policies provided to and changes communicated with parents under Rule 2.206 | Required |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | Steps for resolving concerns; contact for unresolved complaints. | 8 CCR 1402-1, General Rules Rule 2.125 (Reporting of Licensing Complaints); center complaint procedure (including CDEC name/address/phone) required by Rule 2.206(B)(25) | Required |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | Mandatory reporter obligations; reporting procedures; state hotline. | 8 CCR 1402-1, General Rules Rule 2.126 (Reporting and Investigating Child Abuse); statutory mandatory-reporter duty at C.R.S. 19-3-304; hotline at C.R.S. 26-5-111 | Required |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | Enrollment process; tuition rates; payment schedule; refund policy. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.218 (Admission) and Rule 2.206(B)(5)-(6) (admission/registration procedure and itemized fee schedule); license application/continuation fees at General Rules 2.111 (Fees) | Required |
| Health and Safety Policies | Handwashing procedures; diapering; sunscreen; rest time policies. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.229 (General Requirements) and General Rules 2.122 (Fire Inspections, Health Inspections, and Zoning Codes); CDPHE health/sanitation standards at 6 CCR 1010-7 | Required |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | Statement of equal access; protected classes covered. | 8 CCR 1402-1, General Rules Rule 2.119 (Civil Rights - Title VI/VII Civil Rights Act of 1964, ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Age Discrimination Act of 1975) | Required |
| Transportation Policy | Vehicle safety requirements; car seat policy; authorization procedures. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.227 (Transportation); child restraint per C.R.S. 42-4-236 and 42-4-237 | Recommended |
| Field Trip Policy | Authorization requirements; supervision ratios during off-site activities. | 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.226 (Activities) - field trips at subsection (C); routine short excursions addressed in subsection (A); transportation/field-trip permission referenced in Rule 2.206(B)(12)-(13) | Recommended |
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Colorado mandates the following maximum staff-to-child ratios by age group.
| Age Group | Staff-to-Child Ratio |
|---|---|
| Infants (6 weeks to 18 months) | 1:5 (max group size 10) |
| Toddlers (12 months to 36 months) | 1:5 (max group size 10) |
| Toddlers (24 months to 36 months) | 1:7 (max group size 14) |
| 2-1/2 years to 3 years | 1:8 (max group size 16) |
| 3 years to 4 years | 1:10 (max group size 20) |
| 4 years to 5 years | 1:12 (max group size 24) |
| 5 years and older | 1:15 (max group size 30) |
| Mixed age group 2-1/2 to 6 years | 1:10 (max group size 20) |
| Formal kindergarten class session | 1:25 during class session; 1:15 at other times of the day |
Immunization Requirements
- Up-to-date school-required immunizations documented on the CDPHE Certificate of Immunization (or an approved exemption certificate) per Colorado Board of Health rules at 6 CCR 1009-2, on or before the first day of admission (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.219(B)(1))
- Standard CDPHE-required vaccines for child care/school entry include DTaP, polio (IPV), MMR (measles/mumps/rubella), hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox); plus Hib and pneumococcal (PCV) for younger children
- Medical exemption: CDPHE Certificate of Medical Exemption signed by an immunizing provider
- Nonmedical (religious/personal-belief) exemption: CDPHE Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption obtained either with an immunizing provider's signature or by completing the CDPHE Online Immunization Education Module (6 CCR 1009-2)
Background Check Requirements
- Fingerprint-based criminal history record check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), submitted via a CBI-approved fingerprint vendor (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.121 - Criminal Record Check)
- Child abuse/neglect background inquiry through the CDEC automated system (Trails), on the state-prescribed form, for operators, applicants, and employees; renewed every 5 years (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.120 - Child Abuse or Neglect for Background and Employment Inquiries)
- Checks must be completed before an individual cares for children or has unsupervised access; for residents of a licensed facility, a criminal record check at annual declaration applies to those who have not previously obtained one (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.121(C))
- Notification of Name Removal form must be submitted when an individual leaves employment, to remove their name from the facility license number in the CBI database (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.121(D)(1))
Inspection Frequency
Fire department and local/CDPHE health department inspections are required before the original license, after qualifying renovations, and at least every two (2) years thereafter (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.122 - Fire Inspections, Health Inspections, and Zoning Codes). CDEC Licensing Specialists also conduct routine licensing monitoring visits, with frequency adjusted based on risk/compliance history. Emergency drills are required separately under Rule 2.138: fire drills monthly; tornado drills monthly March through October; and lockdown/active-shooter drills at least quarterly.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Civil penalties under 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.113 (Civil Penalties and Injunctions), implementing the Child Care Licensing Act at C.R.S. 26.5-5-317: for each violation, fines up to $250 the first day, $500 the second day, and $1,000 per day for the third and subsequent days, to a maximum of $10,000. The same schedule applies to unlicensed operation and to intentionally false statements/reports. Operating after a cease-and-desist order can result in a fine up to $500, up to 10 days in jail, or both. Penalties are imposed only after a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge under Article 4 of Title 24, C.R.S., and do not preclude denial, suspension, revocation, probation, or non-renewal of the license, or injunctive proceedings under C.R.S. 26.5-5-320.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many sections must be in a Colorado childcare parent handbook?
Colorado childcare centers are required to include at least 13 mandatory sections in their parent handbooks per state licensing regulations enforced by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA).
Who oversees childcare licensing in Colorado?
Childcare licensing in Colorado is regulated by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA). You can find official licensing information at https://cdec.colorado.gov/for-providers/child-care-licensing-and-administration.
What happens if a Colorado childcare center doesn't have a compliant handbook?
Non-compliance with Colorado parent handbook requirements can result in: Civil penalties under 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.113 (Civil Penalties and Injunctions), implementing the Child Care Licensing Act at C.R.S. 26.5-5-317: for each violation, fines up to $250 the first day, $500 the second day, and $1,000 per day for the third and subsequent days, to a maximum of $10,000. The same schedule applies to unlicensed operation and to intentionally false statements/reports. Operating after a cease-and-desist order can result in a fine up to $500, up to 10 days in jail, or both. Penalties are imposed only after a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge under Article 4 of Title 24, C.R.S., and do not preclude denial, suspension, revocation, probation, or non-renewal of the license, or injunctive proceedings under C.R.S. 26.5-5-320.
How often are Colorado childcare centers inspected?
Colorado childcare centers are subject to the following inspection schedule: Fire department and local/CDPHE health department inspections are required before the original license, after qualifying renovations, and at least every two (2) years thereafter (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.122 - Fire Inspections, Health Inspections, and Zoning Codes). CDEC Licensing Specialists also conduct routine licensing monitoring visits, with frequency adjusted based on risk/compliance history. Emergency drills are required separately under Rule 2.138: fire drills monthly; tornado drills monthly March through October; and lockdown/active-shooter drills at least quarterly.
Detailed Colorado Requirements
Go deeper on a single Colorado licensing topic — each page covers the statute-cited specifics for that requirement.
Related Tools
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Staff-to-Child Ratio Calculator
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