Daycare License Requirements for Washington
Worker requirements
Must be 18 years old or older and have a high school education or equivalent or child development knowledge and experience.
Provider / Child Ratio
| Age Range | Ratio For Daycare Centers |
| 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 |
| Infants: Providers may care for up to 12 children with a qualified assistant; provider with 1 year of experience may care for 10 children alone if none are under 5 years of age; provider with 2 years of experience, an ECE course and an assistant may care for a maximum of 4 children under 2 years of age.May have up to 12 children including provider’s own children.Must be 2 providers when there are more than 2 children under age of 2; 7 or more children are in care and any child is under age 2; or, more than 10 children of any age. | |
Washington Department of Social and Health Services
Economic Services Administration
Division of Child Care and Early Learning
P.O. Box 45480
Olympia, WA 98504-5480
Phone: 360-725-4665
Fax: 360-413-3482
Hotline: 866-482-4325
Web site: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/ccdf/ipi/saic/appendix_l.htm
Rules family child care homes
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/publications/22-849.pdf
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=170-296
Rules for child care centers
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=170-295
Learn more about How To Start A Daycare
