Louisiana Childcare Licensing Requirements
Louisiana childcare centers must include 13 mandatory sections in parent handbooks per La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1513 (Schedules - written and posted days/hours of operation and closures); operational compliance per §1501 (Operations).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamRequired Handbook Sections
The following sections must appear in every Louisiana 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. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1513 (Schedules - written and posted days/hours of operation and closures); operational compliance per §1501 (Operations) | Required |
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline PolicyGuide → | Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.8 (Behavior Management Policy - guidance methods, prohibited disciplinary actions, time-out procedures) | Required |
| Illness and Exclusion PolicyGuide → | Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1915 (Health Services - observation of physical condition on arrival, documentation, immediate parental notification thresholds); immunization-based exclusion under La. R.S. 17:170 | Required |
| Medication Administration PolicyGuide → | Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1917 (Medication Administration - written parental authorization required) | Required |
| Emergency ProceduresGuide → | Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1921 (Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Planning) | Required |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1511 (Procedures - written procedures for receiving and releasing a child from the center); child-release authorization (list of persons to whom child may be released) per §1515 | Required |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | Meals and snacks provided; food allergy procedures; outside food policy. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1919 (Food Service and Nutrition - USDA CACFP 7 CFR 226.20 and LAC 51:XXIII, both cited verbatim in §1919.A) | Required |
| Parent Communication Policy | Daily report procedures; how to reach staff; parent conference schedule. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.6 (Parental Access Policy) and §1509.A.7 (Parental Involvement Policy); parent reporting/notification of incidents and illness under §1915 | Required |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | Steps for resolving concerns; contact for unresolved complaints. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.5 (Complaint Policy - parents advised of department licensing authority and how to file complaints) | Required |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | Mandatory reporter obligations; reporting procedures; state hotline. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.1 (Child Abuse and Neglect Policy - report suspected abuse/neglect to LA Child Protection Statewide Hotline 855-452-5437 / 855-4LA-KIDS); statutory basis La. Children's Code art. 609-610 and La. R.S. 14:403 | Required |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | Enrollment process; tuition rates; payment schedule; refund policy. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.3 (Admissions Policy) and §1515 (Child Records and Cumulative Files - parent-signed information form, authorizations); annual licensure fee schedule at §313 and administrative/licensure fees at §707 | Required |
| Health and Safety Policies | Handwashing procedures; diapering; sunscreen; rest time policies. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1901 (General Safety Requirements) and §1903 (Physical Environment); Chapter 19 (Minimum Health, Safety, and Environment Requirements and Standards, §1901-§1921) generally | Required |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | Statement of equal access; protected classes covered. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.2 (Non-discrimination Policy - race, color, creed, sex, national origin, handicap, ancestry, or whether a child is being breastfed) | Required |
| Transportation Policy | Vehicle safety requirements; car seat policy; authorization procedures. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §2101 (General Requirements - Center-Provided, Parent-Provided or Contract Transportation) and §2103 (Daily Transportation); Chapter 21 (§2101-§2109) generally | Recommended |
| Field Trip Policy | Authorization requirements; supervision ratios during off-site activities. | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §2105 (Field Trips); field-trip ratio (minimum child-to-staff ratios plus one additional adult) at §1711; non-vehicular excursions at §2109 | Recommended |
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Louisiana mandates the following maximum staff-to-child ratios by age group.
| Age Group | Staff-to-Child Ratio |
|---|---|
| Infants under 1 year | 5:1 (max group size 15) |
| 1 year | 7:1 (max group size 21) |
| 2 years | 10:1 (max group size 20) |
| 3 years | 13:1 (max group size 26) |
| 4 years | 15:1 (max group size 30) |
| 5 years | 19:1 (max group size 38) |
| 6 years and up | 23:1 (max group size 46) |
Immunization Requirements
- Required under La. R.S. 17:170: proof of immunization (or program in progress) presented at entry; chief administrators of licensed daycare centers must check records and enforce compliance
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
- Poliomyelitis (IPV/polio)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Haemophilus influenzae Type B (Hib) - for children under 4 in Pre-K/Daycare/Head Start
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) and Rotavirus - for children under 4 in Pre-K/Daycare/Head Start
- Immunization schedule set by the LA Department of Health (LDH) Office of Public Health (LAC Title 51, Part II, §701)
- Centers must make parents aware of influenza immunization information by November 1 of each year (§1915)
Background Check Requirements
- CCCBC (Child Care Criminal Background Check)-based determination of eligibility required from LDOE for each owner, person in governance, volunteer, staff member, employee, independent contractor, and visitor before unsupervised access (Bulletin 137 Chapter 18, §1801, §1807; federal basis 45 CFR 98.43)
- Fingerprint-based criminal history check (electronic fingerprints used in parishes where available) via the Department's Child Care Criminal Background Check System (§1811; doe.louisiana.gov CCCBC page)
- Provisional employment permitted only with continuous monitoring by a fully-vetted adult pending CCCBC determination (§1804, §1811)
- CCCBC process includes a determination of eligibility issued by LDOE; ineligible individuals are prohibited from working in or governing a center (§1801)
Inspection Frequency
After initial licensure, inspections shall be conducted as deemed necessary by the department at regular intervals not to exceed one year (i.e., at least annually) and without notice to the early learning center, per La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §713 (Renewal and Other Inspection Procedures). An initial inspection is required before licensure under Chapter 7 (§701/§703).
Penalties for Non-Compliance
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 24-month period (not resulting in revocation), a fine of up to $250 per day for each day of the violation, not to exceed $2,000 within a consecutive 12-month period. Continued or serious noncompliance can result in denial, revocation, or non-renewal of the license (Chapter 13). Annual licensure fees range from $25 (15 or fewer children) to $250 (101 or more children) per §313 (type I church/religious centers exempt). Separately, a mandated reporter who knowingly and willfully fails to report suspected child abuse/neglect is fined up to $500 and/or imprisoned up to 6 months (La. R.S. 14:403 / La. Children's Code art. 609-610); enhanced penalties up to $3,000 and/or 3 years apply for failure to report sexual abuse or abuse resulting in serious injury/death.
Generate a Louisiana-Compliant Handbook
TotReady generates a fully compliant parent handbook for your Louisiana childcare center in minutes — with every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sections must be in a Louisiana childcare parent handbook?
Louisiana childcare centers are required to include at least 13 mandatory sections in their parent handbooks per state licensing regulations enforced by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Bulletin 137 - Louisiana's Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations (LAC Title 28, Part CLXI).
Who oversees childcare licensing in Louisiana?
Childcare licensing in Louisiana is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Bulletin 137 - Louisiana's Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations (LAC Title 28, Part CLXI). You can find official licensing information at https://doe.louisiana.gov/early-childhood/child-care-facility-licensing.
What happens if a Louisiana childcare center doesn't have a compliant handbook?
Non-compliance with Louisiana parent handbook requirements can result in: 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 24-month period (not resulting in revocation), a fine of up to $250 per day for each day of the violation, not to exceed $2,000 within a consecutive 12-month period. Continued or serious noncompliance can result in denial, revocation, or non-renewal of the license (Chapter 13). Annual licensure fees range from $25 (15 or fewer children) to $250 (101 or more children) per §313 (type I church/religious centers exempt). Separately, a mandated reporter who knowingly and willfully fails to report suspected child abuse/neglect is fined up to $500 and/or imprisoned up to 6 months (La. R.S. 14:403 / La. Children's Code art. 609-610); enhanced penalties up to $3,000 and/or 3 years apply for failure to report sexual abuse or abuse resulting in serious injury/death.
How often are Louisiana childcare centers inspected?
Louisiana childcare centers are subject to the following inspection schedule: After initial licensure, inspections shall be conducted as deemed necessary by the department at regular intervals not to exceed one year (i.e., at least annually) and without notice to the early learning center, per La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §713 (Renewal and Other Inspection Procedures). An initial inspection is required before licensure under Chapter 7 (§701/§703).
Detailed Louisiana Requirements
Go deeper on a single Louisiana licensing topic — each page covers the statute-cited specifics for that requirement.
Related Tools
Free tools to help your Louisiana 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.
Open tool →Free Compliance Check
Answer a few questions about your current handbook and see where you stand.
Open tool →