North Dakota Childcare Licensing Requirements
North Dakota childcare centers must include 13 mandatory sections in parent handbooks per N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-04 (Effect of licensing and display of license; the current license must be displayed prominently and must specify the maximum number of children the center may care for) — there is no standalone 'hours of operation' rule in ch. 75-03-10; this is the closest verified umbrella section.
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamRequired Handbook Sections
The following sections must appear in every North Dakota 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. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-04 (Effect of licensing and display of license; the current license must be displayed prominently and must specify the maximum number of children the center may care for) — there is no standalone 'hours of operation' rule in ch. 75-03-10; this is the closest verified umbrella section | Required |
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline PolicyGuide → | Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-23 (Discipline - Punishment prohibited) | Required |
| Illness and Exclusion PolicyGuide → | Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-26(8) and 75-03-10-26(9) (Minimum provisions regarding emergency care for children — supervised temporary isolation of a child too ill to remain or with an infectious/contagious disease; exclusion and return of children with infectious or communicable conditions per local public health or department public health division guidance) | Required |
| Medication Administration PolicyGuide → | Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-26(7) (written permission to dispense medication, prescriber's written dosage/storage instructions, labeling, storage inaccessible to children, and written medication administration records including over-the-counter medication) | Required |
| Emergency ProceduresGuide → | Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-16 (Minimum emergency evacuation and disaster plan) and 75-03-10-26 (Minimum provisions regarding emergency care for children) | Required |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-09(20) and 75-03-10-09(21) (operator must ensure children do not depart unsupervised absent written parental consent, and that each child is released only to the parent, legal custodian, guardian, or authorized person); see also written policy for accountability when a child fails to arrive as expected at 75-03-10-09(5)(j) | Required |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | Meals and snacks provided; food allergy procedures; outside food policy. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-21 (Minimum standards for food and nutrition) | Required |
| Parent Communication Policy | Daily report procedures; how to reach staff; parent conference schedule. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-09(9), 75-03-10-09(10), 75-03-10-09(14), 75-03-10-09(15) (operator duties to inform parents and provide access/progress reports) and N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-20 (Program requirements), in particular subsections 13, 14, 15, and 17 (director/supervisor must discuss the child at enrollment, encourage parental visits, offer policymaking participation, and contact parents to exchange information and health/development/behavior concerns) | Required |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | Steps for resolving concerns; contact for unresolved complaints. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-09(5)(h) (operator must adopt written policies that include the process for a parent or staff member to report a complaint, a suspected licensing violation, and suspected child abuse or neglect); see also N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07(3)(c) (provider must notify parents and staff of the process for reporting a complaint or suspected licensing violation) | Required |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | Mandatory reporter obligations; reporting procedures; state hotline. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-09(16) (operator must report immediately as a mandatory reporter) implementing N.D.C.C. 50-25.1-03 (persons required to report child abuse and neglect); see also N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-28 (Child abuse and neglect decisions) under N.D.C.C. ch. 50-25.1 | Required |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | Enrollment process; tuition rates; payment schedule; refund policy. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-09(10)(a) (operator must advise parents of service fees and policies) and 75-03-10-09(13) (signed written agreements specifying fees, methods of payment, and delinquency policies); enrollment/records requirements per N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-22; statutory license fees at N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-03(7) (child care center: $40 annual / $75 for a two-year license) | Required |
| Health and Safety Policies | Handwashing procedures; diapering; sunscreen; rest time policies. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-18 (Minimum sanitation and safety requirements) | Required |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | Statement of equal access; protected classes covered. | No general nondiscrimination provision exists in the child care licensing rules (N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-03-10); the governing law is the North Dakota Human Rights Act, N.D.C.C. ch. 14-02.4 (state policy against discrimination; public accommodations), enforced by the ND Department of Labor and Human Rights, plus federal Title VI/ADA for any subsidized care (and ADA disability accommodation specifically required at N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-25) — closest verified umbrella citation | Required |
| Transportation Policy | Vehicle safety requirements; car seat policy; authorization procedures. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-15 (Minimum standards for provision of transportation) | Recommended |
| Field Trip Policy | Authorization requirements; supervision ratios during off-site activities. | N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-15(1) (if the center provides transportation, the operator must establish a written policy specifying who provides transportation and how parental permission is obtained for activities occurring outside the child care center) and 75-03-10-09(20) (written parental consent specifying the activity, timing, and transportation for a child to leave the premises) — no standalone 'field trips' rule; these are the closest verified sections | Recommended |
Staff-to-Child Ratios
North Dakota mandates the following maximum staff-to-child ratios by age group.
| Age Group | Staff-to-Child Ratio |
|---|---|
| Under 18 months (infants) | 1:4 (max group size 10) |
| 18 months to 36 months (toddlers) | 1:5 (max group size 15) |
| 3 years to 4 years | 1:7 (max group size 20) |
| 4 years to 5 years | 1:10 (max group size 25) |
| 5 years to 6 years | 1:12 (max group size 30) |
| 6 years to 12 years (school-age) | 1:20 (max group size 40) |
Immunization Requirements
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Tetanus
- Measles
- Rubella (German measles)
- Mumps
- Hepatitis B
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Poliomyelitis (polio)
- Pneumococcal disease
- Meningococcal disease
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis A
- Age-appropriate immunization required before admission per N.D.C.C. 23-07-17.1 and N.D. Admin. Code ch. 33-06-05 (early childhood/school immunization requirements; proof of immunization or certificate due within 30 calendar days of enrollment for early childhood facilities); medical exemption by licensed physician, or religious/philosophical/moral exemption by parent/guardian certificate, permitted with documentation; verification of immunization or exemption kept on file per N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-22(2)(f)
Background Check Requirements
- Fingerprint-based criminal history record check with an FBI nationwide check, submitted to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), required for owners/applicants, directors, supervisors, emergency designees, substitute and regular staff members, and household members of a residence — at application/hire, within five years of initial approval, and at least once every five years thereafter (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27(5); N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-06.2 and 12-60-24)
- Child Abuse and Neglect Index check / confirmed-determination review under N.D.C.C. ch. 50-25.1 (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-28)
- Disqualifying-offense review under N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27 (enumerated offenses in N.D.C.C. chs./secs. 12.1-16, 12.1-18, 12.1-27.2, 12.1-41, the 12.1-17 assault offenses, 12.1-20 sexual offenses, 14-09-22 abuse of child, 14-09-22.1 neglect of child, and others); completion of five years after final discharge without subsequent charge or conviction is prima facie evidence of sufficient rehabilitation
- Nationwide name-based BCI check substituted only when usable fingerprints cannot be obtained after two rejected sets (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27(5))
- Department-approved authorization for background check form required no later than the first day of employment (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-28(2))
Inspection Frequency
Licensed and self-declared child care programs receive one announced (scheduled) and one unannounced (drop-in) monitoring/inspection visit per year, verifying compliance with health and safety standards (per ND HHS Early Childhood Licensing monitoring practice; the once-announced/once-unannounced frequency is a Department policy, not a statutory term). The Department's inspection authority is established under N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-08; investigation authority under N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07; and reinspection authority under N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.3. Annual fire inspections by local or state fire authorities also apply under N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-17(1).
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Criminal: Any person or entity that violates any provision of N.D.C.C. ch. 50-11.1 (including operating without a required license) is guilty of a class B misdemeanor (N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-13). Civil: an owner who continues to provide services without a required license after written notice is subject to a civil penalty of $50/day per day of operation without a license (N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-03(9)). Administrative fiscal sanctions for uncorrected violations after the correction deadline, per N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-30: $25/day for the most serious tier (violations of N.D.C.C. ch. 50-11.1; staffing/ratios 75-03-10-08(2); substitute staffing 75-03-10-09(12); fire inspections 75-03-10-17; sanitation/safety items 75-03-10-18(6),(9),(13); space/lighting 75-03-10-19; discipline 75-03-10-23; conviction/background 75-03-10-27; abuse/neglect 75-03-10-28); $15/day for a second tier (director/staff qualifications 75-03-10-10 and -12, transportation 75-03-10-15, listed sanitation items 75-03-10-18(2),(3),(4),(7),(8),(11),(19), program items 75-03-10-20(3),(8),(19), and infant care 75-03-10-24(1)(a)); and $5/day for any other violation of the chapter. By statute, the fiscal sanction for any specific violation may not exceed $100 per day of noncompliance (N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.4); sanctions accrue/accumulate per N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.5 and are recovered per 50-11.1-07.6 until the Department receives notice the violation is corrected. The Department may also suspend, deny, or revoke the license (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-05; N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.8, 50-11.1-09, 50-11.1-10).
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many sections must be in a North Dakota childcare parent handbook?
North Dakota childcare centers are required to include at least 13 mandatory sections in their parent handbooks per state licensing regulations enforced by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit).
Who oversees childcare licensing in North Dakota?
Childcare licensing in North Dakota is regulated by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit). You can find official licensing information at https://www.hhs.nd.gov/cfs/early-childhood-services/child-care-licensing.
What happens if a North Dakota childcare center doesn't have a compliant handbook?
Non-compliance with North Dakota parent handbook requirements can result in: Criminal: Any person or entity that violates any provision of N.D.C.C. ch. 50-11.1 (including operating without a required license) is guilty of a class B misdemeanor (N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-13). Civil: an owner who continues to provide services without a required license after written notice is subject to a civil penalty of $50/day per day of operation without a license (N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-03(9)). Administrative fiscal sanctions for uncorrected violations after the correction deadline, per N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-30: $25/day for the most serious tier (violations of N.D.C.C. ch. 50-11.1; staffing/ratios 75-03-10-08(2); substitute staffing 75-03-10-09(12); fire inspections 75-03-10-17; sanitation/safety items 75-03-10-18(6),(9),(13); space/lighting 75-03-10-19; discipline 75-03-10-23; conviction/background 75-03-10-27; abuse/neglect 75-03-10-28); $15/day for a second tier (director/staff qualifications 75-03-10-10 and -12, transportation 75-03-10-15, listed sanitation items 75-03-10-18(2),(3),(4),(7),(8),(11),(19), program items 75-03-10-20(3),(8),(19), and infant care 75-03-10-24(1)(a)); and $5/day for any other violation of the chapter. By statute, the fiscal sanction for any specific violation may not exceed $100 per day of noncompliance (N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.4); sanctions accrue/accumulate per N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.5 and are recovered per 50-11.1-07.6 until the Department receives notice the violation is corrected. The Department may also suspend, deny, or revoke the license (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-05; N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.8, 50-11.1-09, 50-11.1-10).
How often are North Dakota childcare centers inspected?
North Dakota childcare centers are subject to the following inspection schedule: Licensed and self-declared child care programs receive one announced (scheduled) and one unannounced (drop-in) monitoring/inspection visit per year, verifying compliance with health and safety standards (per ND HHS Early Childhood Licensing monitoring practice; the once-announced/once-unannounced frequency is a Department policy, not a statutory term). The Department's inspection authority is established under N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-08; investigation authority under N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07; and reinspection authority under N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.3. Annual fire inspections by local or state fire authorities also apply under N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-17(1).
Detailed North Dakota Requirements
Go deeper on a single North Dakota licensing topic — each page covers the statute-cited specifics for that requirement.
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Staff-to-Child Ratio Calculator
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