Child Care Licensing
Ramsey County licenses in-home child care homes, offers training, and monitors child care homes to support the health and safety of children.
Licensing process
Orientation
Potential child care license applicants must attend an initial orientation meeting to learn if this may be the right business for you. For more information or to register, call 651-266-KIDS (5437).
- You will receive application materials at the initial orientation meeting.
- If you need an interpreter while attending an orientation meeting, please call 651-266-4166.
- People arriving 15 minutes beyond start time of the session may not be allowed attendance.
- If school and after school activities are closed due to inclement weather, our training/orientation will also be canceled. Cancellations for reasons other than the weather will be posted on this web page.
- Children are not allowed to attend orientation sessions.
Fees
A new and enhanced background study is required for all new applicants. Applicants must pay processing fees of $50 for a one-year license and $100 for a two-year license. These fees must be paid before a license is issued. For more information about the new background study requirements, please visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services website.
Resources
Unlicensed providers
People who provide childcare in Minnesota must have a license from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. It is a misdemeanor to provide childcare without a license. However, under state law there are two exceptions to this rule:
- You may provide unlicensed child care for children who are related to you, and children from one single unrelated family.
- You may provide unlicensed childcare for a cumulative total of less than 30 days in any 12-month period.
Both licensed and legal unlicensed family child care providers may be “registered” to provide care to children whose parents are eligible to receive childcare subsidy. Such registration allows providers to receive payment from the Child Care Payment Department based on state and county guidelines. For more information contact the Child Care Payment Unit at 651-266-4019.
Rules and statutes
The State of Minnesota defines minimum standards a child care provider must meet to be recommended for licensure. The rules and statutes also specify guidelines for caregiver qualifications, caregiver training, license capacity, age distribution restrictions, behavior guidance, provider records, activities and equipment, safety of the physical environment, sanitation and health, and nutrition.
Licensing forms
Forms required to seek or maintain a child care license are available through the Minnesota Department of Human services. For more information, contact your licensing worker at 651-266-3781.
Resources
- Consumer recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Crib regulations from Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Child care provider directory
- Department of Human Services Online Licensing Lookup
- Fire extinguisher testing
- Minnesota Poison Control safety tips
- Poisonous plants and family child care guidance
- Ramsey County Family Child Care Association
- State Fire Marshal fire safety
- State of Minnesota Training Registration
- Think Small classes
Listening sessions
Each year Ramsey County holds Child Care Listening Sessions where child care professionals can ask questions, voice opinions and connect with county staff. The listening sessions can assist child care professionals in identifying, addressing and resolving problems.
2020 schedule:
- Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 6-7 p.m. with Ramsey County staff discussing mandated reporting for licensed providers at Ramsey County Library-Maplewood.
- Tuesday, May 12 from 6-7 p.m. with DHS Licensing at Ramsey County Library-Maplewood
- Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 6-7 p.m. with Ramsey County staff at Ramsey County Library-Maplewood.
- Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 6-7 p.m. with DHS Licensing at Ramsey County Library-Maplewood.
If you would like to request an interpreter or have questions regarding the sessions, contact Brian Theine at 651-266-4448. Please make requests three or more business days before the session.