Vermont Childcare Licensing Requirements (2026)

Vermont childcare centers must include a written Hours of Operation section in the parent handbook (Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy.) per Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 (Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs, eff. April 17, 2022) Rule 4.7 (Communicating CBCCPP Policies and Procedures — written info to parents must include "Information about hours of operation and closings"); scope of regulated service at Rule 2.1.1 ("less than twenty-four (24) hours per day") and exemptions from licensure at Rule 2.1.2.

Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 (Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs, eff. April 17, 2022) Rule 4.7 (Communicating CBCCPP Policies and Procedures — written info to parents must include "Information about hours of operation and closings"); scope of regulated service at Rule 2.1.1 ("less than twenty-four (24) hours per day") and exemptions from licensure at Rule 2.1.2

Vermont childcare centers must include a written Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy section in the parent handbook (Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps.) per Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 Rule 6.2.7 (Positive Guidance and Behavior Management) — written positive-guidance/behavior-management policy required by Rule 6.2.7.1, and inappropriate discipline/corporal punishment prohibited by Rule 6.2.7.4; "Corporal Punishment" defined at Rule 2.2.14; no abuse/neglect/mistreatment per Rule 2.1.5. (Rule 6.2 is the umbrella "Building Healthy Relationships.").

Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 Rule 6.2.7 (Positive Guidance and Behavior Management) — written positive-guidance/behavior-management policy required by Rule 6.2.7.1, and inappropriate discipline/corporal punishment prohibited by Rule 6.2.7.4; "Corporal Punishment" defined at Rule 2.2.14; no abuse/neglect/mistreatment per Rule 2.1.5. (Rule 6.2 is the umbrella "Building Healthy Relationships.")

Vermont childcare centers must include a written Illness and Exclusion Policy section in the parent handbook (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 Rule 5.3.3 (Exclusion of Children from Care) under Rule 5.3 (Managing Infectious Diseases); exclusions follow the Signs and Symptoms of Illness Chart (Appendix A) per Rule 5.3.3.1.

Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 Rule 5.3.3 (Exclusion of Children from Care) under Rule 5.3 (Managing Infectious Diseases); exclusions follow the Signs and Symptoms of Illness Chart (Appendix A) per Rule 5.3.3.1

Vermont childcare centers must include a written Medication Administration Policy section in the parent handbook (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 Rule 5.6 (Administration of Medication).

Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 Rule 5.6 (Administration of Medication)

Vermont childcare centers must include a written Emergency Procedures section in the parent handbook (Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.) per Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 Rule 3.7 (Emergency Preparedness), including Rule 3.7.1 (Emergency Planning) and Rule 3.7.2 (Building Evacuation).

Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 Rule 3.7 (Emergency Preparedness), including Rule 3.7.1 (Emergency Planning) and Rule 3.7.2 (Building Evacuation)

Vermont childcare centers must include a written Arrival and Departure Procedures section in the parent handbook (Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees.) per Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 Rule 3.6 (Safe Release of Children); attendance/sign-in-and-out recordkeeping at Rule 3.4.3.

Code Vt. R. 13-171-004 Rule 3.6 (Safe Release of Children); attendance/sign-in-and-out recordkeeping at Rule 3.4.3

Which agency regulates childcare licensing in Vermont?

Childcare licensing in Vermont is regulated by the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD) — Child Care Licensing Unit. Official licensing information is published at https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/laws-rules/licensing.

How many handbook policy sections does Vermont require?

Vermont requires at least 13 mandatory policy sections in a licensed center's parent handbook, each backed by a specific state regulatory citation.

How often does Vermont inspect licensed childcare centers?

The Division conducts a licensing visit at least once every 365 days (annually) at each center-based program (Rule 2.3.9.4). A full license is effective for 3 years from issuance (Rule 2.3.7.1.2). Complaint-driven investigations occur whenever a complaint pertinent to the regulations is received (Rule 2.3.6.2). Evacuation drills are required at least once a month (Rule 3.7.2.2).

What happens if a Vermont center is out of compliance?

Enforcement is administrative, not a fixed monetary fine schedule. Statutory authority: 33 V.S.A. § 3502 (a person shall not operate a child care facility without a license) and 33 V.S.A. § 105(b). When violations are found, the Division offers the licensee a program improvement plan / corrective action within a mutually agreeable timeframe (Rule 2.4.1). For violations posing an imminent risk of harm, a pattern of repeated non-compliance, or failure to complete corrective action, the Division may take additional regulatory action (Rule 2.4.2): immediate license suspension by written order when children's health/safety/well-being is in serious or imminent danger (Rule 2.5.1), and denial or revocation of a license for good cause (Rule 2.5.2). The licensee has appeal rights to the Human Services Board (Rule 2.6; the Board is defined at Rule 2.2.23 per 3 V.S.A. §§ 3090-3091). Vermont's center-based child care licensing regulations (Title 33, Chapter 35) do not publish a per-violation civil fine dollar schedule.