Connecticut Childcare Licensing Requirements
Connecticut childcare centers must include 13 mandatory sections in parent handbooks per RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(d)(6)(H) (Administration — documentation of days and hours of operation, including sick days, holidays and vacations).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamRequired Handbook Sections
The following sections must appear in every Connecticut 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. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(d)(6)(H) (Administration — documentation of days and hours of operation, including sick days, holidays and vacations) | Required |
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline PolicyGuide → | Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(b)(7) (Administration — discipline; prohibition on abusive, neglectful, physical, corporal, humiliating or frightening treatment, per (b)(7)(C)) | Required |
| Illness and Exclusion PolicyGuide → | Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-6a(b) (Health and safety — procedures in case of illness; isolation/exclusion of children with signs or symptoms of contagious illness) | Required |
| Medication Administration PolicyGuide → | Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-9a (Administration of medications) | Required |
| Emergency ProceduresGuide → | Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(d)(4) (Administration — medical and multi-hazard emergency/disaster plans; multi-hazards including man-made/natural disasters, weather emergencies, fire emergencies and acts of terrorism per (d)(4)(B)) | Required |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(d)(1) (daily attendance recorded at time of arrival and departure) and Sec. 19a-79-3a(d)(3) (procedure when a child is not picked up as planned) | Required |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | Meals and snacks provided; food allergy procedures; outside food policy. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-6a(a) (Health and safety — food service; nutritionally adequate meals and snacks by length of stay; menus, refrigeration, food handling) | Required |
| Parent Communication Policy | Daily report procedures; how to reach staff; parent conference schedule. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(c) (parent notification of personnel/policy changes) and RCSA Sec. 19a-79-5a(a)(3) (injury/illness/incident report copy provided to parent no later than the next business day) | Required |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | Steps for resolving concerns; contact for unresolved complaints. | CGS Sec. 19a-87 and 19a-87a (complaint, investigation and enforcement authority of the Commissioner of Early Childhood; complaints filed with OEC) read with RCSA Sec. 19a-79-2a (Licensure procedures) — umbrella citation; no center-specific grievance subsection exists in RCSA 19a-79 | Required |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | Mandatory reporter obligations; reporting procedures; state hotline. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(b)(7)(E) (reporting of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families) implementing CGS Sec. 17a-101 and 17a-101a (mandated reporter statute) | Required |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | Enrollment process; tuition rates; payment schedule; refund policy. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-5a(a)(1) (enrollment information and specific written permission forms / record keeping); licensing fees set by CGS Sec. 19a-80(b)(2) — $500 per child care center and $250 per group child care home, each for a four-year license term | Required |
| Health and Safety Policies | Handwashing procedures; diapering; sunscreen; rest time policies. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-6a (Health and safety) | Required |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | Statement of equal access; protected classes covered. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-9a (Administration of medications — opening paragraph prohibits denying services to a child on the basis of a known/suspected allergy, an auto-injector or glucagon prescription, an asthma diagnosis, or an asthma inhalant prescription), read with CGS Sec. 46a-64 (statewide public-accommodation nondiscrimination); no general center nondiscrimination subsection exists in RCSA 19a-79 | Required |
| Transportation Policy | Vehicle safety requirements; car seat policy; authorization procedures. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-5a(a)(1) (specific written parental permission forms authorizing transportation services) read with CGS Sec. 14-100a (child restraint/seat-belt requirements) | Recommended |
| Field Trip Policy | Authorization requirements; supervision ratios during off-site activities. | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-6a(d) (Health and safety — additional first aid supplies and emergency contact numbers for each child required for field trips) | Recommended |
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Connecticut mandates the following maximum staff-to-child ratios by age group.
| Age Group | Staff-to-Child Ratio |
|---|---|
| Infants and toddlers (under 2 years; under three endorsement, RCSA 19a-79-10) | 1:4 (group size max 8) |
| Two-year-olds (under three endorsement, RCSA 19a-79-10; effective Oct 16, 2024) | 1:5 (group size max 10) |
| Preschool (3 years to school age, RCSA 19a-79-4a) | 1:10 (group size max 20) |
| School-age (school age children endorsement, RCSA 19a-79-11) | 1:15 (group size max 30) |
Immunization Requirements
- DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis)
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)
- Polio (IPV)
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis A (2 doses given six calendar months apart, 1st dose on or after the 1st birthday — required for child care/preschool)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Influenza (1 dose required each year between Aug 1 and Dec 31 for preschool-age children; NOT required once a child turns 5)
Background Check Requirements
- Comprehensive background checks required for prospective employees in positions providing care to or with unsupervised access to children (CGS Sec. 19a-80(c)); checks conducted at least once every five years per CGS Sec. 10-530(b) and 45 CFR 98.43
- State and national (FBI) criminal history records check via fingerprints, conducted in accordance with CGS Sec. 29-17a
- Connecticut child abuse and neglect registry check (state registry established under CGS Sec. 17a-101k) via Dept. of Children and Families
- No prospective employee may begin working until the requirements of 45 CFR 98.43(d)(4) are satisfied
Inspection Frequency
The Commissioner of Early Childhood (or designee) shall make an unannounced visit, inspection or investigation of each licensed child care center and group child care home at least once each year (CGS Sec. 19a-80(b)(3)). At least once every two years the local health director (or designee) shall also inspect each licensed facility. Complaint investigations and follow-up inspections occur as needed, with corrective action plans for cited violations.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
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 each day of unlicensed operation under CGS Sec. 19a-87(a), imposed after written notice and an opportunity for a hearing under chapter 54. Under CGS Sec. 19a-87a, the Commissioner of Early Childhood has discretion to refuse to issue, suspend, or revoke a license, or take other enforcement action set forth in regulation, after notice and opportunity for a hearing as provided in CGS Sec. 19a-84.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many sections must be in a Connecticut childcare parent handbook?
Connecticut childcare centers are required to include at least 13 mandatory sections in their parent handbooks per state licensing regulations enforced by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing.
Who oversees childcare licensing in Connecticut?
Childcare licensing in Connecticut is regulated by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing. You can find official licensing information at https://www.ctoec.org/licensing/child-care-centers-group-child-care-homes/.
What happens if a Connecticut childcare center doesn't have a compliant handbook?
Non-compliance with Connecticut parent handbook requirements can result in: 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 each day of unlicensed operation under CGS Sec. 19a-87(a), imposed after written notice and an opportunity for a hearing under chapter 54. Under CGS Sec. 19a-87a, the Commissioner of Early Childhood has discretion to refuse to issue, suspend, or revoke a license, or take other enforcement action set forth in regulation, after notice and opportunity for a hearing as provided in CGS Sec. 19a-84.
How often are Connecticut childcare centers inspected?
Connecticut childcare centers are subject to the following inspection schedule: The Commissioner of Early Childhood (or designee) shall make an unannounced visit, inspection or investigation of each licensed child care center and group child care home at least once each year (CGS Sec. 19a-80(b)(3)). At least once every two years the local health director (or designee) shall also inspect each licensed facility. Complaint investigations and follow-up inspections occur as needed, with corrective action plans for cited violations.
Detailed Connecticut Requirements
Go deeper on a single Connecticut licensing topic — each page covers the statute-cited specifics for that requirement.
Related Tools
Free tools to help your Connecticut childcare center stay compliant.
Staff-to-Child Ratio Calculator
Enter your enrollment and staff count to verify you meet state ratio requirements.
Open tool →Inspection Checklist
Step-by-step checklist to prepare your center for a state licensing inspection.
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