Child Care Licensing

Important Notices

Arkansas Immunization Network for Children - WebIZ Immunization Information System

Dear Licensed and Registered Providers: The Arkansas Immunization Network for Children, as most of you know, has gone offline.  It is in the process of being replaced with the Arkansas WebIZ Immunization Information System.  There are several things that you will need to do in order to gain access to the new system, most important being registering for access.  Each and every user will need to apply for a user account.  The sharing of account with another individual will be viewed as a breach of confidential patient health information (PHI) and could result in litigation and/or prosecution. 

To sign up for a user account, please go to https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=EnxGrs8e2hyjCVgziBVIzA , and follow the instructions.  Please note this is only for our licensed and registered providers, and not the general public.

Look Before You Lock Initiative

The Kids and Cars Organization has a few safety tips to ensure every child is safe in vehicles. Their Look Before You Lock initiative has facts and tips that can help you make sure children are not left in cars. Please click the link below for more information.

New Guidelines for Approved First Aid and CPR Training

The current minimum licensing requirements specify that the First Aid and CPR training must be provided by American Red Cross or American Heart Association certified trainers.  This requirement will be revised during the next round of licensing standards revisions and will state the following three criteria for approved First Aid and CPR training. 

  • The curriculum shall conform with current American Heart Association or American Red Cross guidelines.  
  • The curriculum shall require hands-on, skill-based instruction, as well as written and practical testing. Training and certification that is provided solely “on-line” will not be accepted.
  • The instructor shall be qualified and authorized to teach the curriculum and shall be certified by a nationally recognized organization.

Pending the revision to the minimum licensing standards, this change will be in effect immediately as it is consistent with the intent of the current standard.

The following companies, in addition to The American Red Cross and The American Heart Association, currently meet the new guidelines.  (This is not an all-inclusive list)

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issues Enforcement Guidance for Child Care Providers

Overview

This unit is responsible for the enforcement of the Child Care Licensing Act for registered child care family homes, licensed homes, licensed child care centers in Arkansas.


Support and Information

Click the title for a link to the section or website.  

Click Title for Link
Child Safety
Facility Safety
Transportation Safety​
Regulation Clarifications and Updates
Placement and Residential Licensing
Immunization Network for Children​ (INC) Registry | Arkansas Department of Health WEB​


Types of Child Care Facilities and Programs 


Registered Child Care Family Homes

These homes are regulated by the “Registered Child Care Family Homes”.  These homes are registered to care for 5 or fewer children.  These homes receive periodic unannounced monitors. Incentives:  These homes are eligible to participate in state and federally funded programs.

Licensed Homes

These homes are regulated by the “Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Family Homes”.  The Child Care Licensing Act requires a license for any home situation, arrangement, or agreement by which one (1) or more persons care for six (6) or more children from more than one (1) family at a time (this includes the caregivers own preschool children).  A caregiver may choose keep up to 16 children, depending on the ages of children in care and the number of caregivers present.  Health and fire department approvals are required if care is provided to 11 or more children.  City zoning approval is required were applicable.  Licensed home care may be provided in the licensee’s own home or another home like setting.  Licensed homes receive periodic unannounced monitor visits. Incentives:  These homes are eligible to participate in many of the state and federally funded programs.

Licensed Child Care Centers

These facilities are regulated by the “Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers”.  The Child Care Licensing Act requires that facilities providing care to 6 or more children from more than one (1) family obtain a license (programs operating less than ten (10) hours a week are exempt).   These facilities require health and fire department approval and are subject to city zoning. Incentives:  These homes are eligible to participate in many of the state and federally funded programs.
 

Child Care Facility Licensing Forms and Support Materials

The following documents are available in Adobe PDF format.

Click Title for Link Type
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers PDF
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers - Spanish PDF
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Licensed Child Care Family Homes ​PDF
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Licensed Child Care Family Homes - Spanish ​PDF
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Registered Child Care Family Homes​ ​PDF
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Registered Child Care Family Homes​ - Spanish ​PDF
Child Care License Application Form​ ​PDF
Arkansas Criminal Record Background Check Form​ ​PDF
FBI Criminal Record Background Check​ Form PDF​
Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry Form ​PDF
Technical Assistance Packet | Child Personal Data, Accident Report, Attendance Record​ PDF​
Evacuation Plan ​PDF
Appeal Panel Membership​ Application Form PDF​


Who to Contact

The following documents provide contact information for licensing assistance.

Click Title for Link Type
Child Care Licensing Supervisors by County | Map PDF
Child Care Licensing Staff List ​PDF