Do You Want to Become a Licensed Child Care Provider?

Provider Licensing

Imagine a world where every child's laughter is a testament to their well-being, where every parent's heart is at ease knowing their child is in safe, nurturing hands. This vision is within reach, but there's a catch: our community faces a pressing shortage of child care providers. It's a gap that you, with your passion and dedication, can help bridge.

Embarking on the path to becoming a licensed child care provider in North Dakota is not just a career move; it's a call to action. It's about more than just meeting the basic needs of food, shelter, and safety for our youngest citizens. It's about crafting a haven where every child can thrive, learn, and grow, in line with their unique potential—a mission championed by the North Dakota Health & Human Services.

Yes, the journey is demanding, peppered with challenges that test your resolve. Yet, it's equally fulfilling and can offer a sense of deep satisfaction knowing you are making a tangible difference. Imagine the pride in knowing you're a cornerstone for working families, enabling them to build their futures while you nurture the next generation. This is the heart of child care—a career that's as rewarding as it is vital.

Free-Source photo by Lina Kivaka

Steps To Become a Licensed Child care Provider

The Licensing Unit is the first point of contact for the initial child care licensing. The Licensing Unit monitors and supports all licensed and already certified child care programs. Licensing specialists, licensing supervisors, resource and referral specialists, and licensing administrators are all a part of the team to help those interested in starting and maintaining a daycare facility. Aside from licensing and certifying the Licensing Unit also establishes policies and standards to help regulate the health, safety, and the well-being of the children that are in the child care programs. Anyone providing supervision and/or education for more than 5 children or 3 children under the age of 24 months, must be licensed. Anyone who is providing these services for 5 or fewer children, with no more than 3 under the age of 24 months, can become a self-declared provider. Whether you decide to become a self-declared provider or a licensed provider, having a dependable and trustworthy place to care for children is great for working families within the community.

There are many additional licenses, plans, and orders that you should know about when applying for a child care provider license. North Dakota has rules and regulations that authorize licensing specialists to require a non-compliant license and a self-declared program to help them identify any issues that may occur. By identifying issues this program can help providers get access to consulting and support services to help them make improvements. Many child care providers probably wonder if they will need some sort of food license to feed the children at their facility. You do not need a food establishment license if the child care program is located in an occupied private residential area, but you may want a food establishment license if your program is in a facility that is not occupied as a private residence.

As a child care provider, you are required to be a mandated reporter to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Line. To ensure that the child care providers are following the health and safety standards, the assigned licensing specialists will conduct, at a minimum of one announced and one unannounced monitoring visit yearly.

Not only does licensing ensure that child care providers are following local and state laws, but it also makes sure that providers are following the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program. The CCDF program helps North Dakota provide child care subsidies through the Child Care Assistance Program, making child care more affordable for families as they aim for economic security.

Free-Source Photo by Alexander Grey

These are the steps to get a provider license:

1.       Meet the early childhood section: The early childhood section is comprised of 5 units ready to support early childhood providers.

2.       Provider Types: The location of our business and the number of children you want to care for determine the type of child care license you will need.

3.       Child care Regulations: Providers must follow law, rule, and policy and receive monitoring visits to ensure compliance.

4.       Criminal Background Checks: Background checks are required for all providers including owners, staff, household members, and in some cases, volunteers.

5.       Training Requirements: Providers and staff are required to complete preservice and annual training hours.

6.       Required Paperwork: Child care providers are required to submit specific paperwork as part of the application and renewal process. 

7.       Business Essentials: In addition to caring for children, child care providers need to manage budgets, marketing, staffing and other aspects of operating a small business.

8.       Provider Supports: Learn more about a variety of programs available to support child care providers.

9.       Online Licensing System Training Videos: The online Child care Licensing System moves licensing applications, renewals, and other business-related activities to a transparent, easy-to-use web-based system.   

If you have more questions about becoming a licensed provider, you can contact a licensing specialist in your county to:

·         Learn how to become a provider.

·         Ask questions about your current license or self-declaration.

·         Report a concern regarding an early childhood program.

·         You can also report concerns by calling 1-800-997-8516 or emailing dhsec@nd.gov

Why Become a Licensed Child care Provider

Dive into the vibrant world of child care and transform lives—yours, children's, and their families. Embrace this chance to fuel your passion for making a difference. Licensing not only unlocks funding to elevate your facility but also ensures safety and security through essential insurance. Whether you're aspiring or already in the field, licensure is your gateway to boundless opportunities to support and enrich your community.

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Resources

North Dakota Health & Human Services: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/

Article by Laney Jones, February 2024