Rhode Island childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Any facility serving 5 or more children must be licensed. Rhode Island operates BrightStars, a quality rating and improvement system. HB 7500 (2026) created a new child care workforce development fund and established a minimum starting wage floor for workers at CCAP-participating centers.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 18 months) | 1:4 | 8 |
| Toddlers (18 months–3 years) | 1:6 | 12 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | 1:9 | 18 |
| School age | 1:13 | 26 |
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per RIDOH schedule required on file.
Health Assessment
Physician-signed health assessment required within 30 days of 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 to be administered.
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Rhode Island Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification) and DCYF background check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or associate's degree in ECE required for lead teacher positions.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required.
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 DCYF for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director must meet DCYF education and experience requirements. BrightStars higher levels require advanced credentials.
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact RI DCYF Child Care Licensing to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact DCYF 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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