A daycare license in Colorado is issued by Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 7 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
Parents fill it out on their phone · free · no card
Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →Colorado childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), created in 2022 to consolidate early childhood services. All facilities providing care for 5 or more children must be licensed. Colorado requires licensed facilities to have monthly consultation with a state-approved Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC).
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (6 weeks–18 months) | 1:5 |
| Toddlers (12–36 months) | 1:5 |
| Toddlers (24–36 months) | 1:7 |
| Preschool (2.5–3 years) | 1:8 |
| 3–4 years | 1:10 |
| 4–5 years | 1:12 |
| School age | 1:15 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC)'s rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records required on file per Colorado CDPHE schedule.
Medical/Health Assessment
Physician-signed health report required for enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication; staff must complete approved medication administration course.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Exemption Policy
Medical, religious, and personal belief (non-medical) exemptions are permitted. Personal belief exemptions require a signed state certificate from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
Colorado TRAILS background check plus FBI fingerprinting required for all staff. Must be cleared before starting work.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent ECE coursework. Requirements vary by Colorado Shines quality rating level.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED. Pre-service training required before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required per Colorado Shines standards.
Director Qualifications
Director must meet CDEC qualification standards. Higher Colorado Shines star ratings require greater education and experience levels.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually. Additional inspections based on complaints or compliance history.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact CDEC to begin the application process. Includes background checks, CCHC consultation plan, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact CDEC for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Colorado Department of Early Childhood
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the Mountain West.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.