Nebraska Childcare Daycare Inspection Prep (2026)

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).

391 NAC 3-005.01

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.

391 NAC 3-005.03 Annual and Semi-Annual License Inspections

Follow-up inspections, if conducted, occur no later than 60 days after the original inspection (391 NAC 3-005.04)

391 NAC 3-005.04

discretionary monitoring inspections are also permitted (391 NAC 3-005.05).

391 NAC 3-005.05

(Note: the official PDF table of contents contains a typographical numbering error listing the annual/semi-annual provision as '3-004.03'

391 NAC 3-005.01

the section body correctly numbers it 3-005.03.)

391 NAC 3-005.01

Under 391 NAC 3-008.02 (Types of Disciplinary Action), DHHS may impose any one or a combination of: (1) a probationary license

Under 391 NAC 3-008.02

(2) suspension or revocation of a provisional, probationary, or operating license

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(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

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(4) restrictions on new enrollment

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(5) restrictions/limits on the number or age of children served

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or (6) other restrictions on the type of service provided.

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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).

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

391 NAC 3-008.03

an affected person is afforded a hearing within 10 days of application (391 NAC 3-008.04).

391 NAC 3-008.04

Statutory basis: Child Care Licensing Act, Neb. Rev.

391 NAC 3-008.03

During a Nebraska childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the 6 weeks to 18 months age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:4.

During a Nebraska childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the 18 months to 3 years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:6.

During a Nebraska childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the 3 years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:10.

During a Nebraska childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the 4 and 5 years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:12.

During a Nebraska childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the School-age age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:15.

Nebraska inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Hours of Operation policy (Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy.) 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..

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.

Nebraska inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy policy (Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps.) per 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..

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.

Nebraska inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Illness and Exclusion Policy policy (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per 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..

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.

Nebraska inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Medication Administration Policy policy (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per 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)..

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).

How often does Nebraska inspect licensed childcare centers?

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.)

What do Nebraska inspectors check during a childcare inspection?

Nebraska childcare inspectors typically verify: (1) staff-to-child ratios are met for every age group, (2) staff CPR/First Aid certifications and background checks are current, (3) each child's file contains required enrollment, immunization, and emergency-contact records, (4) fire-drill logs are complete, (5) the parent handbook covers all required policy sections, and (6) the physical environment is free of hazards such as unsecured cleaning supplies and missing outlet covers.

What happens if a Nebraska childcare center fails an inspection?

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 can I prepare my Nebraska childcare center for an unannounced inspection?

Use the /inspection-check tool on TotReady to run a pre-inspection self-audit. Key areas: confirm all staff ratios are met and documented, verify CPR and background-check expiration dates, audit every child file for completeness, check that fire-drill logs are current, and walk the facility for physical hazards (unsecured chemicals, missing outlet covers, blocked exits).

Which handbook sections do Nebraska inspectors verify?

Nebraska inspectors check that the parent handbook includes these required sections: Hours of Operation, Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy, Illness and Exclusion Policy, Medication Administration Policy. Each must be present and comply with the cited Nebraska administrative code.