A daycare license in Maine is issued by Maine DHHS, Children's Licensing and Investigation Services, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 5 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.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Maine DHHS, Children's Licensing and Investigation Services requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Maine DHHS, Children's Licensing and Investigation Services. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →Maine childcare licensing is administered by Children's Licensing and Investigation Services within the Department of Health and Human Services. LD 202 (2025/2026) expanded the definition of unlicensed care to 3 unrelated children (4 if siblings), raising the threshold before licensing is required. Mixed age groups must use the ratio for the youngest child in the group.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (0–12 months) | 1:4 |
| Toddlers (13–30 months) | 1:5 |
| Preschool (2.5–3 years) | 1:8 |
| 3–5 years | 1:10 |
| School age | 1:10 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Maine DHHS, Children's Licensing and Investigation Services's rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Maine DHHS Child Care Licensing
Child Health Assessment
Required within 30 days of admission from a licensed healthcare provider.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records updated annually required on file.
Emergency Contact Card
Medical contacts and authorized pickup authorization required for all enrolled children.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Enrollment/Admission Form
Complete enrollment documentation with parent/guardian information.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
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: Maine DHHS Child Care Licensing
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Maine DHHS Child Care Licensing
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
High school diploma or GED required. Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework strongly recommended.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Must complete 6 hours of pre-licensing training 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. Contact Maine DHHS for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by Maine DHHS. Contact the licensing office for current standards.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Maine DHHS Child Care Licensing
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact Maine DHHS Children's Licensing and Investigation Services to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact Maine DHHS for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Maine DHHS Child Care Licensing
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Maine DHHS Child Care Licensing
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 New England.
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.