The Division of Child Care inspects, licenses and monitors nearly 9,000 child care facilities in Colorado. These facilities include family child care homes, child care centers, residential facilities including camps, day treatment centers and child placement agencies. There are training and experience requirements for each type of facility and its staff. Below are a steps for licensing training, Medical and CPR Training vendors including an order form for immunization materials. Also, information on state licensing and application order forms, as well as information and frequently asked licensing questions are provided.

–» Obtain the Application Packet for Family Child Care Homes. You can download the application order form in pdf format or as a Word document from the Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley. Fill out the form, mail it to the address provided and enclose the application request fee. A completed application package and licensing fee must be submitted to the Division of Child Care at least 60 days prior to the proposed opening date of the facility.

–» Complete the application form, the finger print forms and have your physician complete the health physical form as directed in the application packet. Applicants, owners, employees, and residents of licensed child care facilities must submit fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for a criminal record check, and their names must be checked against the Central Registry of Child Protection. Mail all completed forms to the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care Denver.

–» Before you can begin caring for children in your home:
• You are required to complete the Medication Administration Course. Call Della Viera - Alamosa Public Health at 719-589-6639 or Rio Grande County Public Health - Judy Masters at 719-657-3352 for times and places.
• You must be certified in CPR and First Aid, Contact TSJC at 719-589-1513 or the American Red Cross at 719-587-3314 (Office Hours: M-F, 8:00 - 4:30) for times and places. You can also register by calling 800.417.0495.

–» Order form for Immunization materials!

–» You must complete pre-licensing training (ECP 150) in the first 90 days. This class is scheduled for two Saturdays twice a year. Contact Sadie Burns at TSJC 719-589-7034 to enroll.

–» After your application is processed in Denver, it will be sent to Marilyn Bennett, the Licensing Specialist for our area. She will contact you and schedule a visit to your home. Should you have questions concerning licensing issues she can be contacted at 719.382.1180 or marilyn.bennett@state.co.us:

Application Processing
The Division of Child Care
Colorado Department of Human Services
1575 Sherman St., 1st Floor
Denver, CO 80204

Thank you for your interest in opening a Licensed Family Child Care business!

For assistance or information feel free to contact:

The Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley
Sherri Valdez - Operations Director
Phone:719.587.5363
svaldez@valleykidscare.org
609 Main Street, Suite 202, Box 7
Alamosa, CO 81101

The information provided in the steps to becoming a licensed family child care home provider is also available for download as a Word document or pdf document.

–» At what point is a child care license required?
When child care is provided for children from more than one family unrelated to the provider.

–» What types of child care are exempt from licensing regulations?
A child care license is not required for:
• A special school or class in which more than 50 percent of the time that children are present is spent in religious instruction. Religious instruction is defined to include such activities as worship, singing religious songs, listening to religious stories, learning and practicing religious cultural activities, and participating in religious celebrations.
• A child care center operated in connection with a church, shopping center, or business where children are cared for during short periods of time while parents or persons in charge of such children are attending church services, shopping, or patronizing the business. This facility must be operated on the premises of the church, business, or shopping center. Only children of parents or guardians who are attending a church activity or patronizing the business or shopping center can be cared for in the center. Children of the employees of the church, shopping center, or business cannot be enrolled.
• Occasional care of children with or without compensation, which means the offering of child care infrequently and irregularly.
• A child care facility that is approved, certified, or licensed by any other state department or agency, or by a federal government department or agency, which has standards for operation of the facility and inspects or monitors the facility.
• The medical care of children in nursing homes.

–» How do you request an exemption from Child Care Regulations?
Any child care providers wishing to be declared exempt from the Child Care Act based on the nature of their program must submit a request for exemption to the Division of Child Care (1575 Sherman St., 1st Floor, Denver, CO 80203). That request must include the name and address of the facility, the number of children in care and their approximate ages, the hours of operation, and a basic description of the program and its curriculum.

–» Under what circumstances is a new licensing application required?
• If there is a change of licensee, owner, or governing body
• If there is a change in the classification of a facility or a change to the service offered
• If there is a change in location of a facility

–» How can I become licensed?
Complete the order form, check off the type of facility you want to open (such as "family child care home") and send, along with your check for the designated amount to:
Colorado State Forms & Publications Center
4200 Garfield
Denver, CO 80216-6517
Phone No: 303-370-2165

Review the rules, complete all required paperwork as outlined in the instructions, and forward your application packet and licensing fee and any supporting documents to:

Application Processing
The Division of Child Care
Colorado Department of Human Services
1575 Sherman St., 1st Floor
Denver, CO 80204

This information was compiled from the Colorado Department of Human Services. To view this information or go directly to their website please click here.