Connecticut Childcare Licensing
Connecticut Childcare Licensing Requirements (2026)
Connecticut childcare licensing is administered by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing. A licensed Connecticut center must maintain a parent handbook covering 13 state-mandated policy areas, each tied to a specific administrative-code citation. 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.
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamConnecticut Licensing Requirements: The Specifics
Connecticut childcare centers must include a written Hours of Operation section in the parent handbook (Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy.) per RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(d)(6)(H) (Administration — documentation of days and hours of operation, including sick days, holidays and vacations).
RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(d)(6)(H) (Administration — documentation of days and hours of operation, including sick days, holidays and vacations)
Connecticut childcare centers must include a written Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy section in the parent handbook (Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps.) per RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(b)(7) (Administration — discipline; prohibition on abusive, neglectful, physical, corporal, humiliating or frightening treatment, per (b)(7)(C)).
RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(b)(7) (Administration — discipline; prohibition on abusive, neglectful, physical, corporal, humiliating or frightening treatment, per (b)(7)(C))
Connecticut childcare centers must include a written Illness and Exclusion Policy section in the parent handbook (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per 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).
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)
Connecticut childcare centers must include a written Medication Administration Policy section in the parent handbook (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per RCSA Sec. 19a-79-9a (Administration of medications).
RCSA Sec. 19a-79-9a (Administration of medications)
Connecticut childcare centers must include a written Emergency Procedures section in the parent handbook (Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.) per 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)).
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))
Connecticut childcare centers must include a written Arrival and Departure Procedures section in the parent handbook (Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees.) per 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).
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)
Connecticut Licensing Requirements at a Glance
| Hours of Operation | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(d)(6)(H) (Administration — documentation of days and hours of operation, including sick days, holidays and vacations) |
|---|---|
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-3a(b)(7) (Administration — discipline; prohibition on abusive, neglectful, physical, corporal, humiliating or frightening treatment, per (b)(7)(C)) |
| Illness and Exclusion Policy | 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) |
| Medication Administration Policy | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-9a (Administration of medications) |
| Emergency Procedures | 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)) |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | 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) |
| Nutrition and Meals 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) |
| Parent Communication Policy | 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) |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | 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 |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | 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) |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment 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 |
| Health and Safety Policies | RCSA Sec. 19a-79-6a (Health and safety) |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | 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 |
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Connecticut Licensing Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
Which agency regulates childcare licensing in Connecticut?
Childcare licensing in Connecticut is regulated by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing. Official licensing information is published at https://www.ctoec.org/licensing/child-care-centers-group-child-care-homes/.
How many handbook policy sections does Connecticut require?
Connecticut requires at least 13 mandatory policy sections in a licensed center's parent handbook, each backed by a specific state regulatory citation.
How often does Connecticut inspect licensed childcare centers?
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.
What happens if a Connecticut center is out of 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.
Connecticut childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Connecticut administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.