Connecticut childcare licensing is administered by the Office of Early Childhood (OEC). All centers caring for 13 or more children must be licensed. Connecticut requires a Head Teacher to be on-site for at least 60% of operating hours and mandates specific ECE qualifications for lead teachers. The state has detailed requirements for early childhood curriculum and developmental programming.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 years | 1:4 | 8 |
| 3–5 years | 1:10 | 20 |
| School age | 1:10 | 20 |
School-age group size may increase to 30 for outdoor activities and field trips.
Early Childhood Health Assessment Record (Yellow Form)
Connecticut state health assessment form completed by a healthcare provider. Updated annually for children under 5; every 3 years for school-age.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Connecticut DPH schedule required on file.
Enrollment/Emergency Form
Complete enrollment form with 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 to be administered.
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Connecticut Department of Public Health for current exemption procedures.
Minimum Age
18 years for staff counted in ratios
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
Head Teacher requires a minimum of 1,080 hours of supervised experience plus a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant degree in ECE.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Must work under supervision of Head Teacher.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Approximately 20 hours of annual professional development required (approximately 1% of total annual hours worked for full-time staff).
Director Qualifications
Director must be 20 years of age or older with a minimum of 3 college credits in ECE administration or program management.
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 the OEC to begin the application process. Includes background checks, facility inspection, and review of program curriculum and staffing plan.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact the OEC 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.
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