Wyoming Childcare Daycare Inspection Prep (2026)

A minimum of 2 licensing inspections per facility per year — one annual unannounced and one annual announced (Ch. 2 Section 5(a)

a

confirmed by the DFS Child Care Licensing FAQ: 'a minimum of 2 visits to each facility per year.

Ch. 2 Section 9(b)

One visit is unannounced and one visit is scheduled').

Ch. 2 Section 9(b)

Additional scheduled or unscheduled visits may occur for compliance monitoring, technical assistance, complaint investigation, or follow-up (Ch. 2 Section 5(b),(d)).

Ch. 2 Section 5(b),(d)

Annual fire, food-safety, and health/sanitation inspections are also required (Ch. 2 Section 5(c)).

Ch. 2 Section 5(c)

Licenses are renewed periodically with a renewal fee due upon expiration of the current license (Ch. 2 Section 9(b)

b

statute frames continuation fees as due on the anniversary date per W.S. § 14-4-104(e)).

W.S. § 14-4-104(e)).

For certified/licensed facilities that violate the rules, DFS may suspend, refuse to renew, or revoke under W.S. § 14-4-108(a)-(b) (30 days' prior written notice with opportunity to request a hearing)

or revoke under W.S. § 1

if a child's life, health, or safety is in imminent danger, DFS may immediately temporarily suspend (W.S. § 14-4-108(c)).

W.S. § 14-4-108(c)

DFS may also impose interim restrictions (reduced ratios, capacity limits, additional monitoring, provisional license) for continued/willful/repeated non-compliance (Ch. 2 Section 12(e)).

Ch. 2 Section 12(e)

Denial of admission to an authorized inspector results in revocation/denial (W.S. § 14-4-107(b)).

W.S. § 14-4-107(b)

Denial/revocation/suspension procedures are detailed in Ch. 3 of the Child Care Licensing Rules.

W.S. § 14-4-108(c)

During a Wyoming childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Infants (birth to 12 months) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:4 (1 staff); 2:8 (2 staff); 3:10 max group size.

During a Wyoming childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the One-year-olds age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:5 (1 staff); 2:10 (2 staff); 3:12 max group size.

During a Wyoming childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Two-year-olds age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:8 (1 staff); 2:16 (2 staff); 3:18 max group size.

During a Wyoming childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Three- and four-year-olds age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:12 (1 staff); 2:24 (2 staff); 3:30 max group size.

During a Wyoming childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the School age (5+ years) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:18 (1 staff); 2:32 (2 staff); 3:40 max group size.

During a Wyoming childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Mixed Age Option 1 age group must be staffed at no looser than 1 staff: 1:8, no more than 2 infants and 2 one-year-olds. 2 staff: 2:15, no more than 4 infants / 4 one-year-olds / 4 two-year-olds / 3 three-year-olds or older.

During a Wyoming childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Mixed Age Option 2 age group must be staffed at no looser than 1 staff: 1:10, no more than 2 children under age 2.

During a Wyoming childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Water/swimming — infants & toddlers (birth to 36 months) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:1 while in the water (adult in direct physical contact with infants; not more than an arm's length from one-year-olds).

During a Wyoming childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Water/swimming — three to four years old age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:4 while in the water.

During a Wyoming childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Water/swimming — five years or older age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:6 while in the water.

Wyoming 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 049-11 Wyo. Code R. (DFS Child Care Licensing Rules, Ch. 11, eff. April 2026) Section 5(b)(i) — Policies and Procedures (administrative policies including fees, payment schedules, and hours of operation); ratios maintained 'during all hours of operation' per Ch. 11 Section 2(b)(i).

049-11 Wyo. Code R. (DFS Child Care Licensing Rules, Ch. 11, eff. April 2026) Section 5(b)(i) — Policies and Procedures (administrative policies including fees, payment schedules, and hours of operation); ratios maintained 'during all hours of operation' per Ch. 11 Section 2(b)(i)

Wyoming 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 049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 20 — Discipline, Guidance and Interactions with Children (written guidance/discipline policy Section 20(a); 'time out' Section 20(b); prohibited behaviors Section 20(c); expulsion/suspension limits Section 20(a)(i)(D)); see also Section 21 Emergency Safety Interventions (physical restraint).

049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 20 — Discipline, Guidance and Interactions with Children (written guidance/discipline policy Section 20(a); 'time out' Section 20(b); prohibited behaviors Section 20(c); expulsion/suspension limits Section 20(a)(i)(D)); see also Section 21 Emergency Safety Interventions (physical restraint)

Wyoming inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Illness and Exclusion Policy policy (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per 049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 16(b) — Health: Disease Control (exclusion of ill children/staff Section 16(b)(iii)-(vi); communicable-disease criteria per WDH Reportable Disease and Condition List).

049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 16(b) — Health: Disease Control (exclusion of ill children/staff Section 16(b)(iii)-(vi); communicable-disease criteria per WDH Reportable Disease and Condition List)

Wyoming inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Medication Administration Policy policy (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per 049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 17 — Medication Administration.

049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 17 — Medication Administration

How often does Wyoming inspect licensed childcare centers?

A minimum of 2 licensing inspections per facility per year — one annual unannounced and one annual announced (Ch. 2 Section 5(a); confirmed by the DFS Child Care Licensing FAQ: 'a minimum of 2 visits to each facility per year. One visit is unannounced and one visit is scheduled'). Additional scheduled or unscheduled visits may occur for compliance monitoring, technical assistance, complaint investigation, or follow-up (Ch. 2 Section 5(b),(d)). Annual fire, food-safety, and health/sanitation inspections are also required (Ch. 2 Section 5(c)). Statutory right of entry/inspection: W.S. § 14-4-107. Licenses are renewed periodically with a renewal fee due upon expiration of the current license (Ch. 2 Section 9(b); statute frames continuation fees as due on the anniversary date per W.S. § 14-4-104(e)).

What do Wyoming inspectors check during a childcare inspection?

Wyoming 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 Wyoming childcare center fails an inspection?

Operating a child caring facility without certification is a misdemeanor under W.S. § 14-4-111: a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $200.00 for each offense, with each day of operation without certification a separate offense. For certified/licensed facilities that violate the rules, DFS may suspend, refuse to renew, or revoke under W.S. § 14-4-108(a)-(b) (30 days' prior written notice with opportunity to request a hearing); if a child's life, health, or safety is in imminent danger, DFS may immediately temporarily suspend (W.S. § 14-4-108(c)). DFS may also impose interim restrictions (reduced ratios, capacity limits, additional monitoring, provisional license) for continued/willful/repeated non-compliance (Ch. 2 Section 12(e)). Denial of admission to an authorized inspector results in revocation/denial (W.S. § 14-4-107(b)). Denial/revocation/suspension procedures are detailed in Ch. 3 of the Child Care Licensing Rules.

How can I prepare my Wyoming 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 Wyoming inspectors verify?

Wyoming 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 Wyoming administrative code.