Starting a daycare in Washington requires careful planning and adherence to state regulations. While this may seem overwhelming, with the right tools, and using sites like Daycare.com as a resources, along with the thousands of daycare owners in our forum, you have all the tools you need right here!

• Begin by researching the licensing requirements set forth by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). This involves completing required training, securing appropriate facilities, and obtaining necessary permits.
• Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your services, target market, pricing structure, and operational strategies.
• Location is crucial; ensure your daycare is situated in an area with high demand and accessibility. Create a safe, stimulating environment for children, equipped with age-appropriate toys, learning materials, and facilities.
• Hiring qualified staff is essential; conduct thorough background checks and provide adequate training in childcare practices and safety protocols.
• Establish strong communication channels with parents to build trust and ensure transparency.
• Marketing your daycare through online platforms, a com listing, community networks, and local advertising will help attract clients.

Remember to maintain compliance with state regulations and continuously assess and improve your services to provide the best possible care for children and peace of mind for parents.

Do I need a childcare license in the state of Washington?

Yes, you do in nearly all cases. In compliance with Washington state childcare regulations, a license is mandatory to run a childcare business if you offer daily child care and early learning services to children aged 0-12 years, whether it be in your family home or at a commercial facility. It is essential to note that the children you care for must be unrelated to you. However, individuals such as family members, friends, and neighbors providing care to children are exempt from needing a childcare license. This is the only case where a license is not needed.

Childcare licensing in Washington state is overseen by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), which ensures that children in daycare facilities are situated in safe and healthy environments. The DCYF is responsible for issuing licenses for three distinct types of early learning programs in Washington. Each has their own rules, regulations and inspections policies.

Family home early learning programs: These programs offer child care or educational services for 12 or fewer children ranging from 0 to 11 years old. They operate within the family dwelling where the childcare provider resides.

Child care center early learning programs: These programs provide regularly scheduled care for children aged 0 to 12 years at commercial facilities for durations less than 24 hours a day. This can be small, just a few children, or very large, hundreds of children.

School-age programs: Catering to children aged 5 to 12 years, these programs offer regularly scheduled care for durations less than 24 hours a day, particularly when children are not attending school. Such facilities may be situated on school grounds, commercial spaces, or private faith-based facilities.

Licensing requirements for family home and child care centers are delineated as follows:

For family home licensees:

• Minimum age of 18 years is mandatory.
• Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent is required.
• An early childhood education (ECE) initial certificate or its equivalent is necessary.
• Additionally, holding an ECE short certificate or equivalent is also essential.

For center early learning program licensees:

• Compliance with the prerequisites for a center director is obligatory.

The center director and assistant directors must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Possess an ECE state certificate or equivalent.
• Acquire two years of teaching experience with children enrolled in the early learning program, along with a minimum of six months of experience in administration or management, or an approved plan by the department.
• Completion of applicable pre-service requirements is compulsory.

Center program supervisors should:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold an ECE state certificate or its equivalent.
• Demonstrate two years of teaching experience with children enrolled in any early learning program.

Lead teachers are required to:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Completion of applicable pre-service requirements is necessary.
• Possess an ECE certification or equivalent.

Aides must:

• Be at least 14 years old.
• Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, or be currently enrolled in high school or an equivalent educational program.
• Completion of applicable pre-service requirements is obligatory.
• Annual documentation of their professional development progress is required.

Other personnel indirectly involved in child care must:

• Successfully complete and pass a background check.
• Obtain a negative tuberculosis (TB) test result.
• Fulfill program-based staff policies and training requirements.

Volunteers are expected to:

• Be at least 14 years old.
• Work under the direct supervision of designated staff members.
• Complete and pass a background check and TB test.
• Meet the training requirements and program-based staff policies.
• Have their professional development progress documented annually.

Center capacity, ratio, and group size

The determination of capacity for a center early learning program is under the jurisdiction of the department, and it is contingent upon several factors:

• The square footage allocated to the early learning program.
• The educational background and continuous training of the provider.
• The specified age range of children requested or approved by the department.
• The availability of developmentally appropriate equipment, materials, and toys for children’s use within the program.
• The licensing history of the provider with the department.
• The availability of qualified staff to maintain staff-to-child ratios.

According to regulations, center licensees are required to consistently adhere to the total capacity or age range specified on the childcare license.

Ratios

For infants (birth through 11 months):

• Maximum group size of eight with a ratio of one staff person to four children (1:4)
• Maximum group size of nine with a ratio of one staff person to three children (1:3)

For toddlers (12 through 29 months):

• Maximum group size of 14 with a ratio of one staff person to seven children (1:7)
• Maximum group size of 15 with a ratio of one staff person to five children (1:5)

For preschoolers (30 months through 6 years):

• A maximum group size of 20 with a ratio of one staff person to ten children (1:10)

The department imposes a maximum limit of 12 children for family homes providing care.

In determining the capacity of a family home early learning program, the department evaluates several factors, including:

• The square footage allocated to the early learning program.
• The number of years of experience the early learning provider has in licensed child care.
• The educational background and ongoing training of the provider.
• The specified age range of children requested or approved by the department.
• The availability of developmentally appropriate equipment, materials, and toys within the program.
• The licensing history of the provider with the department.
• The availability of qualified staff to maintain staff-to-child ratios.

Ratios and capacity

• For providers with less than one year of experience, the department stipulates a maximum capacity of six children, spanning from birth through 12 years old.
• Providers with at least one year but less than two years of experience may have a capacity of up to eight children aged two through 12 if working independently. However, if they are working with a qualified assistant, the department permits a capacity of up to nine children ranging from birth through 12 years.
• Providers boasting at least two years of experience working autonomously may request a capacity of up to 10 children aged three through 12, or a capacity of up to 12 for solely school-age children. Alternatively, if collaborating with a qualified assistant, they may seek a capacity of up to 12 children from birth through 12 years, with a maximum of six children under two years.
• Providers with two years of experience may apply for a license for children from birth to 24 months, with a maximum group size of eight if two staff members are present. The staff-to-child ratio in this scenario is 1:4, and an additional 15 square feet per infant or toddler must be provided.

Indoor early learning program space capacity

A minimum of 35 square feet per child in attendance is required for indoor early learning program space.

Childcare license application in Washington

Below are the steps to apply for a childcare license in Washington.

Step 1: Sign up for an orientation

Participation in an orientation program is essential when applying for a family home, childcare center, or school-age program license.

Orientation sessions for family homes and childcare centers are accessible online through modules one and two. Upon successful completion of the orientation(s), you will receive orientation completion certificate(s). These certificates must be emailed to [email protected] in order to gain access to the provider portal and the online application.

Step 2: Complete and submit your license application

Sending the orientation completion certificate via email grants you access to the childcare provider portal and the online license application. Subsequently, complete either the Family Home and Center Child Care License Application or the School-Age Program Application, depending on your preference. The department will review your license application within three months from your submission date. It’s crucial to ensure that all sections of the application forms are completed as required. Utilize the checklist provided at the bottom of the forms to double-check all necessary information.

Step 3: Pass a facility inspection

The department will conduct an inspection of your facility to assess compliance with requirements. This inspection includes evaluating both indoor and outdoor areas.

Step 4: Approval

Upon review of your application, the department will grant you a license if they are satisfied with your submission. There are three different types of childcare licenses issued:

• An initial license is valid for six months, allowing you to offer child care while the state Department of Early Learning (DEL) evaluates whether you can meet the licensing requirements over time.
• A full license is issued by DEL when they determine that you meet state licensing standards. This license must be renewed every three years.
• A probationary license is issued if you fail to meet state licensing rules, or if DEL has complaints and concerns about the care you offer. However, DEL only issues this license when certain children’s health and safety aren’t threatened, and they believe you can improve.

Childcare licensing fees in Washington are currently suspended until June 30, 2023. Additionally, it is advisable to contact your local licensing office to inquire about your application status if it has been six days since submission.

How to stay compliant with a daycare license in Washington

A full license has a three-year validity period. To stay compliant, you must submit a license renewal application at least 30 days before the current license expiration date. Additionally, you are required to submit a background check application every three years, especially when hiring new personnel, relocating to a new residence, or when a household member reaches the age of 13.

Time to start your daycare business in Washington

In Washington, three types of early learning programs necessitate a license. Each program comes with distinct compliance requirements to uphold and manage your business operations. By engaging in thorough planning and research, you can smoothly navigate the license application process, ensuring that your facility maintains a safe and nurturing environment for children’s learning experiences.

To best market your daycare and utilize coming tools such as all-in-one waitlist management, payment processing, and single scan solutions for parent updates, sign up at https://www.Daycare.com/signup