Nebraska Childcare Licensing Requirements
Nebraska childcare centers must include 13 mandatory sections in parent handbooks per 391 NAC 3-006.14A(2) (Description of Services - 'Days and hours of operation'; under Title 391 Neb. Admin. Code Ch. 3, 3-006.14A item 2). VERIFIED against official 391 NAC 3 PDF..
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamRequired Handbook Sections
The following sections must appear in every Nebraska 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. | 391 NAC 3-006.14A(2) (Description of Services - 'Days and hours of operation'; under Title 391 Neb. Admin. Code Ch. 3, 3-006.14A item 2). VERIFIED against official 391 NAC 3 PDF. | Required |
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline PolicyGuide → | Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps. | 391 NAC 3-006.20 (Discipline), with subsections 3-006.20A Prohibited Forms of Discipline, 3-006.20B Child Behavior That Cannot Be Disciplined, 3-006.20C Use of Time Out, 3-006.20D Use of Physical Hold, and 3-006.20E Use of Restraints. VERIFIED verbatim. | Required |
| Illness and Exclusion PolicyGuide → | Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures. | 391 NAC 3-006.17 (Children Excluded Due to Illness); related 391 NAC 3-006.16 (Communicable Diseases) and 3-006.16A (Notification to Parents). VERIFIED verbatim. | Required |
| Medication Administration PolicyGuide → | Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements. | 391 NAC 3-006.27 (Medications), subsections 3-006.27A (Giving or Applying Medication) through 3-006.27H (Record-Keeping). VERIFIED verbatim (A through H exist). | Required |
| Emergency ProceduresGuide → | Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes. | 391 NAC 3-006.30 (Emergency Preparedness), subsections 3-006.30A Telephone through 3-006.30F First Aid Kit (A Telephone, B Fire and Tornado Drills, C Fire and Tornado Safety Diagrams, D Disaster Preparedness, E Notification to Department, F First Aid Kit). VERIFIED verbatim. | Required |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees. | 391 NAC 3-006.14B(4) (Center Policies - 'Verifying the identification of individuals approved to remove children from the center'); related 391 NAC 3-006.19 (Supervision of Children). VERIFIED verbatim (3-006.14B item 4). | Required |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | Meals and snacks provided; food allergy procedures; outside food policy. | 391 NAC 3-006.28 (Food Service) and 3-006.28A (Number of Meals and Snacks Required - 1 snack for 2.5-4 hrs; 1 snack+1 meal for 4-8 hrs; 2 snacks+1 meal for 8-10 hrs; 2 snacks+2 meals for 10+ hrs); related 391 NAC 3-006.29 (Food Safety). VERIFIED verbatim. | Required |
| Parent Communication Policy | Daily report procedures; how to reach staff; parent conference schedule. | 391 NAC 3-006.14 (Description of Center Services and Policies - copies of the written description and policies must be given to all parents); related 391 NAC 3-006.13 (Parent Information Brochure) and 3-006.16A (Notification to Parents). VERIFIED verbatim. | Required |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | Steps for resolving concerns; contact for unresolved complaints. | 391 NAC 3-006.14B(5) (Center Policies - 'Parent grievances, questions, or concerns'); state-level complaint process at 391 NAC 3-005.07 (Complaint Investigation). VERIFIED verbatim (3-006.14B item 5; note official TOC titles 3-005.07 'Complaint Investigation'). | Required |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | Mandatory reporter obligations; reporting procedures; state hotline. | 391 NAC 3-006.02 (Director Requirements), items 9-10: develop/implement written procedures requiring the reporting of physical abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse, and immediately file a report with the Child Abuse-Neglect Hotline (1-800-652-1999) and/or local law enforcement. Statutory basis: Neb. Rev. Stat. s 28-711 (mandatory child abuse/neglect reporting) and the Child Protection Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. ss 28-710 to 28-727. CORRECTED: duty/hotline is in 3-006.02 (Director Requirements), NOT 3-006.01 (Licensee Requirements, which contains only general administrative duties). | Required |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | Enrollment process; tuition rates; payment schedule; refund policy. | 391 NAC 3-006.14B(3) (Center Policies - 'Fees/contract information for parents') and 3-006.14B(2) ('Conditions for suspending and terminating care'); licensure fees at 391 NAC 3-004.08 ($25 for licensed capacity 1-29; $50 for capacity 30+; initial and annual, nonrefundable). VERIFIED verbatim. | Required |
| Health and Safety Policies | Handwashing procedures; diapering; sunscreen; rest time policies. | 391 NAC 3-006 (Standards of Operation and Care) and 391 NAC 3-007 (Physical Plant Standards); environmental safety at 391 NAC 3-006.32 (Environmental Safety) and environmental services at 3-006.31. VERIFIED: 3-007 Physical Plant Standards exists (3-007.01 Activity Space through 3-007.06 Sanitation). | Required |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | Statement of equal access; protected classes covered. | No standalone nondiscrimination section exists in Title 391 NAC 3 (confirmed by full review of the 391 NAC 3 table of contents, 3-001 through 3-008). Closest verified umbrella is 391 NAC 3-006.01 (Licensee Requirements) read with the Child Care Licensing Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. ss 71-1908 to 71-1923. State anti-discrimination authority: Neb. Rev. Stat. s 20-132 (public accommodations - 'Full and equal enjoyment of accommodations,' part of ss 20-132 to 20-143; race/color/sex/religion/national origin/disability/ancestry/military) and Neb. Rev. Stat. s 48-1104 (Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act - 'Unlawful employment practice for an employer'). CORRECTED: s 20-132 is the public-accommodations statute, NOT the Fair Employment Practice Act; s 48-1104 is the Fair Employment Practice Act provision. Umbrella citation - no fabricated specific child-care section. | Required |
| Transportation Policy | Vehicle safety requirements; car seat policy; authorization procedures. | 391 NAC 3-006.26 (Transportation); child restraint requirements cross-reference Neb. Rev. Stat. ss 60-6,267 and 60-6,268 (cited verbatim in 3-006.26 items 7 and 14). VERIFIED verbatim. | Recommended |
| Field Trip Policy | Authorization requirements; supervision ratios during off-site activities. | No standalone field-trips section in Title 391 NAC 3; closest verified provisions are 391 NAC 3-006.19A (Permission for Off-Premises Supervision) and 3-006.19B (Permission for Child to Leave Premises), plus 391 NAC 3-006.25 (Wading and Swimming Activities) with 3-006.25C (Permission for Non-Center-Supervised Activities Off the Premises) and 3-006.25D (Permission for Center-Supervised Activities Off the Premises). VERIFIED verbatim. Umbrella citation. | Recommended |
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Nebraska mandates the following maximum staff-to-child ratios by age group.
| Age Group | Staff-to-Child Ratio |
|---|---|
| 6 weeks to 18 months | 1:4 |
| 18 months to 3 years | 1:6 |
| 3 years | 1:10 |
| 4 and 5 years | 1:12 |
| School-age | 1:15 |
Immunization Requirements
- DTaP/DTP/DT/Td/Tdap (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) per the Childhood Immunization Schedule - 173 NAC 4-004 (Required Levels of Protection)
- Polio (IPV) - 173 NAC 4-004
- Hepatitis B (Hep B) - 173 NAC 4-004
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) - 173 NAC 4-004
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) - 173 NAC 4-004
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) / MMRV - 173 NAC 4-004
- Varicella (chickenpox), unless reliable documented history of disease - 173 NAC 4-004
- Minimum number of doses of each vaccine is set by the Childhood Immunization Schedule (Attachment 1) incorporated by reference into 173 NAC 4. Medical exemptions (physician/APRN/PA certification) and parental/religious exemptions (written statement) permitted per 391 NAC 3-006.18 and 173 NAC 4. The licensee/director must obtain a copy of each child's immunization record within 30 days of enrollment (391 NAC 3-006.18), and annual reporting to the Department is required per 391 NAC 3-006.18A and 173 NAC 4.
Background Check Requirements
- Pre-employment criminal history record check via Nebraska State Patrol or local law enforcement for applicant/licensee, each staff member and volunteer age 19+, and household members age 19+ if home-based; out-of-state check required if the individual has lived in Nebraska less than 12 months - 391 NAC 3-006.03A
- Nebraska Child Abuse/Neglect Central Register check (individuals age 13+); conducted by the Department - 391 NAC 3-006.03B(1)
- Nebraska Adult Protective Services (APS) Central Registry check (individuals age 18+); conducted by the Department - 391 NAC 3-006.03B(2)
- Nebraska State Patrol Sex Offender Registry check (conducted by the applicant/licensee) - 391 NAC 3-006.03B(3)
- All registry checks must be completed before the individual assumes responsibility for the care and supervision of children; any individual listed as a perpetrator on any registry must not be on the premises during hours of operation (except a parent-perpetrator solely for drop-off/pick-up) - 391 NAC 3-006.03B
- Permanent and tiered (20-year and 5-year) criminal disqualifications apply for enumerated offenses - 391 NAC 3-006.03A1, 3-006.03A2, 3-006.03A3
Inspection Frequency
Initial on-site inspection within 30 days of receipt of a completed provisional-license application (391 NAC 3-005.01), and an unannounced provisional-to-operating inspection within 30 days of receipt of the operating-license application (391 NAC 3-005.02). Routine unannounced inspections (391 NAC 3-005.03 Annual and Semi-Annual License Inspections): a minimum of once each year for centers licensed for 29 or fewer children, and a minimum of twice each year for centers licensed for 30 or more children. Follow-up inspections, if conducted, occur no later than 60 days after the original inspection (391 NAC 3-005.04); discretionary monitoring inspections are also permitted (391 NAC 3-005.05). Complaint investigations are conducted under 391 NAC 3-005.07. (Note: the official PDF table of contents contains a typographical numbering error listing the annual/semi-annual provision as '3-004.03'; the section body correctly numbers it 3-005.03.)
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Under 391 NAC 3-008.02 (Types of Disciplinary Action), DHHS may impose any one or a combination of: (1) a probationary license; (2) suspension or revocation of a provisional, probationary, or operating license; (3) a civil penalty of up to $5 per child - based on the number of children the program is authorized to care for on the effective date of the finding of violation - for each day the program is in violation; (4) restrictions on new enrollment; (5) restrictions/limits on the number or age of children served; or (6) other restrictions on the type of service provided. Unpaid fines constitute a debt to the State of Nebraska, collectible by lien foreclosure or court action in district court, and are remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the permanent school fund (391 NAC 3-008.03). DHHS holds emergency power to issue an order without prior notice or hearing - including an immediate prohibition on the care of children - when an emergency requires immediate action to protect a child's physical well-being and safety; an affected person is afforded a hearing within 10 days of application (391 NAC 3-008.04). Statutory basis: Child Care Licensing Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. ss 71-1908 to 71-1923. ALL VERIFIED VERBATIM against the official 391 NAC 3 PDF.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many sections must be in a Nebraska childcare parent handbook?
Nebraska childcare centers are required to include at least 13 mandatory sections in their parent handbooks per state licensing regulations enforced by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit - Children's Services Licensing (Child Care Centers).
Who oversees childcare licensing in Nebraska?
Childcare licensing in Nebraska is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit - Children's Services Licensing (Child Care Centers). You can find official licensing information at https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/child-care-licensing.aspx.
What happens if a Nebraska childcare center doesn't have a compliant handbook?
Non-compliance with Nebraska parent handbook requirements can result in: Under 391 NAC 3-008.02 (Types of Disciplinary Action), DHHS may impose any one or a combination of: (1) a probationary license; (2) suspension or revocation of a provisional, probationary, or operating license; (3) a civil penalty of up to $5 per child - based on the number of children the program is authorized to care for on the effective date of the finding of violation - for each day the program is in violation; (4) restrictions on new enrollment; (5) restrictions/limits on the number or age of children served; or (6) other restrictions on the type of service provided. Unpaid fines constitute a debt to the State of Nebraska, collectible by lien foreclosure or court action in district court, and are remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the permanent school fund (391 NAC 3-008.03). DHHS holds emergency power to issue an order without prior notice or hearing - including an immediate prohibition on the care of children - when an emergency requires immediate action to protect a child's physical well-being and safety; an affected person is afforded a hearing within 10 days of application (391 NAC 3-008.04). Statutory basis: Child Care Licensing Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. ss 71-1908 to 71-1923. ALL VERIFIED VERBATIM against the official 391 NAC 3 PDF.
How often are Nebraska childcare centers inspected?
Nebraska childcare centers are subject to the following inspection schedule: Initial on-site inspection within 30 days of receipt of a completed provisional-license application (391 NAC 3-005.01), and an unannounced provisional-to-operating inspection within 30 days of receipt of the operating-license application (391 NAC 3-005.02). Routine unannounced inspections (391 NAC 3-005.03 Annual and Semi-Annual License Inspections): a minimum of once each year for centers licensed for 29 or fewer children, and a minimum of twice each year for centers licensed for 30 or more children. Follow-up inspections, if conducted, occur no later than 60 days after the original inspection (391 NAC 3-005.04); discretionary monitoring inspections are also permitted (391 NAC 3-005.05). Complaint investigations are conducted under 391 NAC 3-005.07. (Note: the official PDF table of contents contains a typographical numbering error listing the annual/semi-annual provision as '3-004.03'; the section body correctly numbers it 3-005.03.)
Detailed Nebraska Requirements
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