Licensing Requirements\Forms
A family home child care facility, a group child care home and a child care center all require the same types of forms filled out with regard to applications, background checks, insurance verification and approvals by this Department. As the number of children cared for increases, so does the amount of coverage and documentation by other departments. Fire Department inspections are required for all types of licenses. Health inspections, Building Department and Planning Department (zoning) approvals are needed for group and center licenses. The Department requests these inspections be done once the application and fee has been received. Centers must have a director approved for the type of center they are to be licensed for prior to the license being issued but homes and group homes do not.
While the applications are similar, some questions are not applicable in some circumstances depending on whether the situation is home based or center based (for example, a center would not have any "residents"). All types of licenses are issued to "facilities" - home, group homes and centers. There are three types of centers: infant-toddler nurseries, preschools, child care centers. A facility can be all three.
Background checks are done both locally and with FBI fingerprints through the Washoe County Sheriff's Department and take from 90 to 120 days to complete.
The cities of Reno and Sparks, and the unincorporated areas of Washoe County recently adopted the 2003 International Building Code and the 2003 International Fire Code. View the informational memo here.
For your information:
Application for Home Child Care License - InitialApplication for Home Child Care License - Renewal
Child Care Home Applicant Letter and Checklist
Application for Child Care Center License - Initial
Application for Child Care Center License - Renewal
Applicant Letter and Checklist
Application for Director
Annual Employee Training
COVID Exposure Worksheet
Fire and Disaster Drill Log
Immunization Worksheet
Personal Data Sheet
Physical Exam for Child Care Attendance
Registration Form
Vehicle Inspection Report
Zoning Office Report - Center