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 | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (6 weeks–18 months) | 1:5 | 10 |
| Toddlers (12–36 months) | 1:5 | 10 |
| Toddlers (24–36 months) | 1:7 | 14 |
| Preschool (2.5–3 years) | 1:8 | 16 |
| 3–4 years | 1:10 | 20 |
| 4–5 years | 1:12 | 24 |
| School age | 1:15 | 30 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
See exactly what's missing for every child. Compliance checklists, automated parent reminders, phone document scanning. $99/month, unlimited staff.