Tennessee Childcare Required Forms & Documents (2026)

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Child Care License Application (completed via TDHS eLicensing Provider Portal / TN Login) for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed HS-2779 Child Care Criminal/Juvenile History & State Registry Review Disclosure Form for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed HS-3275 / HS-3554 Child Care Emergency Preparedness Plan Checklist and Template for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed HS-30051 Child Care Observation Documentation Form for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed HS-3005 Center TN-ELDS Documentation Form / HS-3006 Home TN-ELDS Documentation Form for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed HS-2984 Personal Safety Curriculum Notification Form (HS-2994 for Drop-In Centers) for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed HS-2583 Kindergarten Parent Acknowledgement Form for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Child Care Provider Medical Report for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Tennessee Department of Health Official Certificate of Immunization (TennIIS) for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Vehicle Inspection Sheet (and Vehicle Inspection Sheet - Bus) for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed First Aid Kit Checklist for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

Tennessee childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Serious Injury/Incident Report (submitted through eLicensing Provider Portal) for every enrolled child (per Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services).

What forms are required for childcare enrollment in Tennessee?

Tennessee requires the following forms for each enrolled child: Child Care License Application (completed via TDHS eLicensing Provider Portal / TN Login); HS-2779 Child Care Criminal/Juvenile History & State Registry Review Disclosure Form; HS-3275 / HS-3554 Child Care Emergency Preparedness Plan Checklist and Template; HS-30051 Child Care Observation Documentation Form; HS-3005 Center TN-ELDS Documentation Form / HS-3006 Home TN-ELDS Documentation Form; HS-2984 Personal Safety Curriculum Notification Form (HS-2994 for Drop-In Centers); HS-2583 Kindergarten Parent Acknowledgement Form; Child Care Provider Medical Report; Tennessee Department of Health Official Certificate of Immunization (TennIIS); Vehicle Inspection Sheet (and Vehicle Inspection Sheet - Bus); First Aid Kit Checklist; Serious Injury/Incident Report (submitted through eLicensing Provider Portal).

How long must Tennessee childcare centers keep enrollment forms on file?

Tennessee childcare licensing rules require that child records, including all required enrollment forms, be kept on file for the duration of enrollment and for a retention period after the child leaves. Contact the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services to confirm the exact retention schedule.

What happens if a Tennessee center is missing required child forms during an inspection?

Missing or incomplete required forms are a citable deficiency in a Tennessee childcare licensing inspection. Under T.C.A. 71-3-509, TDHS may assess a civil penalty for each separate violation ranging from fifty dollars ($50) for minor violations up to a maximum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for major violations or violations resulting in death or injury to a child; each day of continued violation constitutes a separate violation. The Department may also place a license on probation, or suspend, deny, restrict, or revoke a license. Appeals are filed in writing with the commissioner within ten (10) days and heard by the Child Care Agency Board of Review (T.C.A. 71-3-509 & 71-3-510). Procedures are detailed in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 1240-04-05.

Does TotReady provide templates for Tennessee required forms?

TotReady's enrollment form tool and incident report tool generate Tennessee-ready documents pre-filled with the required fields. Visit /tools/enrollment-form and /tools/incident-report to get started.