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 | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1:5 | 10 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months) | 1:5 | 10 |
| 2 years | 1:7 | 14 |
| Preschool (3 years) | 1:10 | 20 |
| Preschool (4–5 years) | 1:14 | 28 |
| School age | 1:20 | 40 |
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.
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Tennessee Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
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.
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.
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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