A high sierra environment, Washoe County benefits from a variety of flora including pine trees
A high sierra environment, Washoe County benefits from a variety of flora including pine trees

Licensing Requirements - Child Care Centers

Obtaining a child care license is a complicated and time-consuming process. Below is a checklist to help you meet the requirements for licensure. We recommend that you also contact your local government to determine what zoning, business licensing, and other laws and regulations you may have to meet before you are permitted to open for business.

Click here for a printable copy of this checklist.

  • Application and correct fee submitted
  • Approved center director (allow 30 days per director application); Approved infant toddler nursery director if planning to care for more than three children under 24 months; Approved program director if planning to be licensed as a preschool
  • Work permits; Owners and director must have full clearance (allow 90 days)
  • At least one employee with temporary work permit
  • Current negative TB test for owner and/or director and at least one employee
  • CPR certification for director or one employee
  • Director must have completed course in Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases in the Child Care Setting
  • Local zoning approval (Special Use Permit)
  • Washoe County District Health Department approval (allow 30 days if no problems arise on initial inspection)
  • Fire Department approval (allow 30 days if no problems arise on initial inspection)
  • Building Department approval (allow 30 days if no problems arise on initial inspection)
  • Sufficient equipment to serve the number of children for which licensure is requested
  • Daily schedule for the first month of operation
  • Curriculum for the first month of operation if planning to be licensed as a preschool
  • Landlord approval or proof of building ownership
  • $1 million liability insurance coverage
  • Final approval of facility (on-site inspection by Washoe County Department of Social Services)

To reduce the risk of potential licensing problems, we recommend that you discuss your plans with us before you make any commitments.

We also encourage you to apply for your child care work permit as soon as you decide to go into business. The criminal and child abuse investigation is quite a lengthy process. Full clearance must be given before we can approve you for licensure.

Informational Note - Regulations Require:

  • 35 square feet of usable play space for each child you are licensed to care for (does not include halls, bathrooms, kitchens or offices)
  • 37-1/2 square feet fenced yard (minimum fence height of four feet) for each child you are licensed to care for
  • One toilet for every 15 children you are licensed to care for
  • One lavatory for every 15 children you are licensed to care for