Arkansas childcare licensing is administered by the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (DCCECE) within the Department of Human Services. All facilities providing care to 6 or more children under age 13 for more than 10 hours per week must be licensed. Arkansas requires liability insurance for all licensed centers.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0–18 months) | 1:5 | — |
| Toddlers (18–36 months) | 1:8 | — |
| 3 years | 1:12 | — |
| 4 years | 1:15 | — |
| 5 years / Kindergarten | 1:18 | — |
| School age | 1:18 | — |
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment form with child information and parent/guardian contact details.
Health Record
Physician-completed health record updated annually including physical examination.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records required on file and updated as vaccines are received.
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/philosophical exemptions are permitted. Contact the Arkansas Department of Health for current exemption forms and procedures.
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
Arkansas Early Learning System (AELS) background check plus FBI and state fingerprinting required. Child Maltreatment Central Registry check also required for all staff.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework. Contact DCCECE for specific requirements by star rating level.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Must work under supervision of qualified lead teacher.
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 DCCECE for current hour requirements by staff role.
Director Qualifications
Director must meet qualification requirements set by DCCECE based on facility star rating. Higher star ratings require greater education and experience.
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually. Additional inspections based on complaints or compliance history.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact DCCECE to begin the application process. Includes background checks for all staff, liability insurance verification, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Required liability insurance: $500,000 per occurrence for 1–74 children; $1,000,000 for 75+ children.
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