A daycare license in Tennessee is issued by Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Licensing, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 6 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 Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Licensing requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Licensing. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →Tennessee childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Human Services. Centers serving 5 or more children must be licensed. Tennessee operates the Star-Quality Child Care Program rating system. SB 2368 (2025) created a refundable childcare expense tax credit for qualifying Tennessee families using licensed centers.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1:5 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months) | 1:5 |
| 2 years | 1:7 |
| Preschool (3 years) | 1:10 |
| Preschool (4–5 years) | 1:14 |
| School age | 1:20 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Licensing's rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Tennessee TDHS Child Care
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Tennessee Department of Health 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.
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: Tennessee TDHS Child Care
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Tennessee Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Tennessee TDHS Child Care
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check and TN Abuse Registry check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework required. Requirements increase with Star-Quality level.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. 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 TDHS standards.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by TDHS. Higher credentials required at higher Star-Quality levels.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Tennessee TDHS Child Care
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact TDHS Child Care Licensing to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact TDHS for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Tennessee TDHS Child Care
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Tennessee TDHS Child Care
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 Southeast.
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.