North Dakota Childcare Licensing
North Dakota Childcare Daycare Inspection Prep (2026)
Passing a North Dakota childcare licensing inspection requires more than paperwork — inspectors arrive unannounced and verify staff-to-child ratios in real time, audit child files for immunization and enrollment records, check handbook compliance, and look for physical safety hazards. 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).
Licensing Agency
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit) →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamNorth Dakota Daycare Inspection Prep: The Specifics
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
drop-in
the once-announced/once-unannounced frequency is a Department policy, not a statutory term).
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 7
The Department's inspection authority is established under N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-08
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 7
investigation authority under N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07
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 7
and reinspection authority under N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.3.
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 7
Annual fire inspections by local or state fire authorities also apply under N.D.
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 7
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).
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)).
N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-03(9)
Admin. Code 75-03-10-30: $25/day for the most serious tier (violations of N.D.C.C. ch. 50-11.1
N.D
staffing/ratios 75-03-10-08(2)
2
substitute staffing 75-03-10-09(12)
12
fire inspections 75-03-10-17
N.D
sanitation/safety items 75-03-10-18(6),(9),(13)
13
space/lighting 75-03-10-19
N.D
conviction/background 75-03-10-27
N.D
abuse/neglect 75-03-10-28)
N.D
$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))
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.
N.D
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)
N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.4
The Department may also suspend, deny, or revoke the license (N.D.
N.D
N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-07.8, 50-11.1-09, 50-11.1-10).
N.D
During a North Dakota childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Under 18 months (infants) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:4 (max group size 10).
During a North Dakota childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the 18 months to 36 months (toddlers) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:5 (max group size 15).
During a North Dakota childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the 3 years to 4 years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:7 (max group size 20).
During a North Dakota childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the 4 years to 5 years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:10 (max group size 25).
During a North Dakota childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the 5 years to 6 years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:12 (max group size 30).
During a North Dakota childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the 6 years to 12 years (school-age) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:20 (max group size 40).
North Dakota 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 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.
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
North Dakota 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 N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-23 (Discipline - Punishment prohibited).
N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-23 (Discipline - Punishment prohibited)
North Dakota inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Illness and Exclusion Policy policy (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per 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).
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)
North Dakota inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Medication Administration Policy policy (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per 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).
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)
North Dakota Daycare Inspection Prep at a Glance
| 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) |
North Dakota Daycare Inspection Prep Checklist
- Supervision gaps and ratio violations during breaks, naps, or transitions
- Expired CPR certifications or background checks for staff
- Incomplete child files (missing enrollment forms, immunization records, or emergency contacts)
- Missing or undated fire-drill logs (most states require monthly drills)
- Unsecured cleaning supplies, chemicals, or medications accessible to children
- Outlet covers missing or electrical hazards in child-accessible areas
Go Deeper
Generate a North Dakota-Compliant Handbook
TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your North Dakota childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
North Dakota Daycare Inspection Prep: Frequently Asked Questions
How often does North Dakota inspect licensed childcare centers?
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).
What do North Dakota inspectors check during a childcare inspection?
North Dakota 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 North Dakota childcare center fails an inspection?
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 can I prepare my North Dakota 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 North Dakota inspectors verify?
North Dakota 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 North Dakota administrative code.
North Dakota childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published North Dakota administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.