Daycare License Requirements for Minnesota
Worker requirements
Must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED plus 24 post-secondary quarter credits and 4,160 hrs. experience as assistant teacher ; or a diploma from the Association of Montessori Schools International with a Preprimary Credential or a primary diploma or provisional certificate from the American Montessori Society without a baccalaureate and 12 post-secondary quarter credits and 2080 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern; or a preprimary credential, primary diploma, or provisional certificate from the Association of Montessori Schools International with a baccalaureate degree and 1040 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern; or a Minnesota technical institute certificate as a CDA with 6 quarter credits and 2080 hrs. as an assistant teacher; or a CDA (center or family day care) for preschool or infants and toddlers from the Council on Early Childhood Professional Recognition and 1560 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern; or license from MN Department of Education as a Prekindergarten Associate or a certificate or credential from a 2-year program from an accredited community college or technical college in child development or early childhood education with 6 quarter credits and 1040 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern; or a baccalaureate from accredited college or university in any field with 18 quarter credits and 1040 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or intern; or a license from the MN Department of Education for elementary education without a kindergarten endorsement and 6 quarter credits within 1 year of employment and 520 hours as an assistant or aide teaching children under school age; or a license from the MN Dept. of Ed. for prekindergarten/nursery or license for elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement.
Provider / Child Ratio
| Age Range | Ratio For Center-based Care |
| Infants | (1:4) |
| Toddlers | (1:7) |
| Preschool | (1:10) |
| School-age | (1:15) |
| Mixed age group | ratio for youngest child in group |
| Age Range | Ratio For Family Child Care |
| Minnesota has seven classes of Family Child Care, each with different ratios and requirements. The two categories shown here are for reference only. For more detailed information, contact the state licensing agency listed below. | |
| Family Child Care(All ages) | (1:10)[with 3 infants and toddlers and no more than a maximum of 6 preschool age children and 4 school age children][infants defined as 12 months and under; toddlers defined as 12 - 30 months][ratio includes provider's own children 11 years of age and younger] |
| Group Family Child Care(All ages) | (1:10)[with 3 infants and toddlers and no more than 6 preschool age children and 2 school-age children][infants defined as 12 months and under; toddlers defined as 12 - 30 months][ratio includes provider's own children 11 years of age and younger] |
Department of Human Services
Division of Licensing
444 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155-3842
Phone: 651-296-3971
Fax: 651-297-1490
Web site: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/Licensing
Licensing of day care facilities
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/9502/
Licensing child care centers
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/9503/
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