Laws Rules and Related Policies

Indiana Child Care Licensing Consultants monitor all regulated child care programs for compliance of licensure requirements. This is achieved by conducting regular onsite inspections and technical assistance visits. The licensing consultants document these visits using monitoring and inspection reports. Please click here to learn more about the various inspections and visit types.

Laws:

Indiana Code 12-17.2 establishes the authority for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, to regulate child care in the state. It also authorizes the office to adopt rules to implement the federal Child Care and Development Fund voucher program administered by the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning for the state. Following are the laws (*updated July 2023):

• IC 12-17.2-2 Chapter 2. General Powers and Duties of the Division *
• IC 12-17.2-2.5 Chapter 2.5. Child Care Advisory Committees *
• IC 12-17.2-3.5 Chapter 3.5. Eligibility of Child Care Provider to Receive Reimbursement Through Voucher Program *
• IC 12-17.2-4 Chapter 4. Regulation of Child Care Centers *
• IC 12-17.2-5 Chapter 5. Regulation of Child Care Homes *
• IC 12-17.2-6 Chapter 6. Regulation of Child Care Ministries *
• IC 12-17-12 Chapter 12 School Age Child Care Project Fund (establishes the authority for the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning to make grants to approved applicants for the establishment and maintenance of a school-age child care program)

For the legal definition of a child care center, child care home, child care ministry, Class I child care home, or Class II child care home as contained in IC 12-7-2, or the definition of a school age child care program as contained in IC 12-17-12-5, please click here.

For legislation that was passed for child care ministries on July 1, 2020, please click here.

For information on programs exempt from licensure (IC 12-17.2-2-8), please click here.

In partnership, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and the Indiana Department of Education have created the following Frequently Asked Questions document for issues related to the intersection of non-public (private) schools and early childhood programs serving children under the age of five. Click here to view the FAQ document.

Licensing Laws Effective July 1st 2023

CPR Language Updated for Regulated Child Care Programs

The Office of Early Childhood and Out- of- School Learning would like to inform you that during the last session, the Indiana General Assembly passed two new laws that effect child care programing. These law changes take effect on July 1, 2023.

The new law passed in House Bill 1591 that is now in effective for each of the following auspices: Licensed Center, Licensed Child Care Homes and Unlicensed Registered Ministry under IC 12-17.2-4-2(d); 12-17.2-5-18.2(a) and IC 12-17.2-6-7.5(a). Which states as used in each chapter, " (a) At least one (1) adult individual who maintains current certification in a course of cardiopulmonary resuscitation applicable to all age groups of children cared for by the child care home /center/ ministry shall be present at all times when a child is in the care of a child care home/ center/ ministry. Certifications accepted under this subsection must include a live return demonstration of skills.

This change means that all cardiopulmonary resuscitation training certificates are valid for the length of time as displayed on the card issued by an authorized training instructor/center. Documentation of completion needs to indicate that there was a live demonstration of skills. The reference to “all age groups of children”, includes pediatric (infant and child) and adult CPR when caring for children over age 8 years of age.

For more information, click here.

Rules:

The following administrative rules have been promulgated based upon the above laws:

• 470 IAC 3-1.1 Rule 1.1 Child Care Homes
  • 470 IAC 3-1.1 Rule 1.1 Child Care Homes *la versión en español
  • 470 IAC 3-1.2 Rule 1.2 Infant and Toddler Services in a Child Care Home *la versión en español
  • 470 IAC 3-1.3 Rule 1.3 Class II Child Care Homes *la versión en español
  • 470 IAC 3-4.5 Rule 4.5 Child Care Facilities; Registered Day Care Ministries * la versión en español
  • 470 IAC 3-4.7 Rule 4.7 Child Care Centers; Licensing * la versión en español
  • 470 IAC 3-18 Rule 18 Child Care Development Fund Voucher Program; Provider Eligibility * la versión en español

  The following rule was promulgated by the Indiana State Department of Health. Licensed child care centers and unlicensed registered child care ministries, whether cooking or vending, must comply with this rule:

  Within the child care laws/rules, references may be made to compliance with other agencies' laws/rules (Indiana State Department of Health; Indiana Department of Environmental Management; State Fire Marshal, now known as Indiana Department of Homeland Security). These laws/rules may be found at http://iga.in.gov/. You may also contact each agency at http://www.in.gov/isdh (Indiana State Department of Health); http://www.in.gov/idem (Indiana Department of Environmental Management); http://www.in.gov/dhs (Indiana Department of Homeland Security).

  Interpretative Guidelines:

  • Interpretative guide for child care center rules
  • Interpretative guide for child care home rules
  • Interpretative guide for child care home rules (changes effective 7/01/2016)
  • Interpretative guide for legally licensed exempt child care providers
  • Interpretative guide for unlicensed registered child care ministry rules
  • Interpretive guide for Voluntary Certification Program
  • Policy and procedures manual for Voluntary Certification Program
  • Voluntary Certification Program standards

  Related Policies:

  Within the child care rules and policies, references may be made to compliance with the Caring for Our Children, National Health and Safety Performance Standards Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, third edition, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education.

  Within the child care rules and policies, references may be made to compliance with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (“CPSC” or “Commission”) Public Playground Safety Guidelines. Below is the PDF version for this resource

  The Child Care and Development Fund program requires childcare providers receiving CCDF funding to meet certain standards of health and safety. These standards are called Provider Eligibility Standards.

  • CCDF Changes effective October 1, 2018
    • CCDF eligibility, LLEP, background checks
    • Consumer statement, consumer education, complaint hotline
    • Suspension and expulsion
    • OECOSL suspension and expulsion guidance for programs
    • Critical violation

    Licensed Child Care Home Provider

    All applicants with a GED must provide verification from the website listed below. This is a one-time verification and cost.

    Individuals requesting GED verification must use Indiana's GED document fulfillment service, Diploma Sender: https://www.diplomasender.com/. A copy of the verification costs $15.

    • Approved list of anti-scald valves
    • Boil Water FAQ 327 IAC 8-2.1-7 is the “Public notification of drinking water violations”
    • Flood damage policyAcceptable conditions for re-opening of child care facilities following flood damage
    • Grandfathering of Educational Requirements ( Prior to July 1st, 2001)
    • No electricity policy
    • Grace Period Policy
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