Child Care Licensing Regulations govern child care programs in the State of Vermont. These rules are minimum requirements established to protect the health and safety of Vermont's children in out-of-home care and ensure that children in child care programs in Vermont are provided with wholesome growth and educational experiences.
Child Care Regulation Documents
Afterschool Child Care Program
- Afterschool Child Care Programs Regulations - effective 9/1/2016
- Administrative Memo on First Aid & CPR Expectations for Child Care effective 9/30/2019
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Emergency Rules effective 10/18/2021 – 4/16/2022 (For details about the changes, please review the Emergency Rule Revisions Memo.)
Center Based Child Care and Preschool Program
- Child Care Licensing Regulations: Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs - effective 9/1/2020
- Emergency Rules effective 10/18/2021 – 4/16/2022 (For details about the changes, please review the Emergency Rule Revisions Memo.)
- Video presentation of changes to the Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs Regulations - Fall 2020 (Informational video only)
Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes
- Child Care Licensing Regulations: Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes - effective 9/1/2016
- Administrative Memo on First Aid & CPR Expectations for Child Care effective 9/30/2019
-
Emergency Rules effective 10/18/2021 – 4/16/2022 (For details about the changes, please review the Emergency Rule Revisions Memo.)
Translations
- Child Care Licensing Regulations: Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes - Nepali Translation
- Child Care Licensing Regulations: Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes - Spanish Translation
- Child Care Licensing Regulations: Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes - Somali Translation
It is our intent that licensing requirements are clear, reasonable, fair and enforceable and keep children and their families at the center of our concern. In the interests of serving the public, comments on the rules are welcomed at any time and will be considered for future revisions or the development of new requirements. Comments can be made here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cc_regulations_suggestions
Regulation Resources for Child Care Programs
Guidance Manuals
Manuals have been written for each set of child care regulations to help answer questions programs may have about rules and compliance.
- Vermont Afterschool Child Care Programs Guidance Manual
- Vermont Center Based Child Care & Preschool Programs (CBCCPP) Guidance Manual
- Vermont Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) Guidance Manual
Frequently Asked Questions
This page contains frequently asked questions about the Vermont Child Care Regulations.
- Afterschool Child Care Programs Regulations FAQs
- Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs Regulations FAQs
- Family Child Care Home Regulations FAQs
Child Care Licensing Visits
Licensing visits are designed to assess compliance with regulations. During licensing visits, licensing staff follow procedures intended to keep you, the families you serve, and the licensing staff safe and healthy. Please view What to Expect from a Child Care Licensing Visit for more information.
Child Development Division’s Fingerprint Supported Background Checks Information
Information on the newly adopted Child Care regulations with respect to background checks. They are the same for Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (CBCCPP). Please note these parallel or are more rigorous than 16 V.S.A. Section 255 requirements.
First Aid and CPR Requirements
Information on changes to the First Aid and CPR Requirements effective July 2019 that impact staff in Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (CBCCPP), Afterschool Programs (ASP), and Family Child Care Homes (FCCH). This also applies to substitutes, assistants, aides and trainees in Family Child Care Homes.