Public Health Idaho North Central District provides the following services for child care facilities:
- Conduct inspections including reviewing and promoting proper immunizations per Idaho immunization regulations.
- Provide recommendations to licensing agencies for licensing purposes.
- Provide information, education, and training to child care providers on proper sanitation, food handling, diaper changing, and disease prevention.
- Respond to complaints.
Basic child care centers, those that care for more than twelve children, must be licensed in the State of Idaho. Group child care facilities, those that care for seven to twelve children, must be certified or voluntarily be licensed. Family child care facilities, those that care for six children or fewer, are not required to be licensed. State licenses for child care facilities are issued through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Family and Children’s Services.
Cities and counties have been granted authority by state code to adopt ordinances for regulations and licensing of day care services. They may have licensing requirements that are stricter than the state licensing law. Contact your local government for more information.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has adopted rules for administration of the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP). This program helps low-income families pay for child care. Assistance is available to families who meet certain income guidelines and need child care to work or attend a job training or education program. More detailed information on becoming eligible for ICCP, or becoming an approved ICCP provider, can be obtained at the Idaho Child Care Program website listed below.
Child/Day Care Technical References
Other Child/Day Care Resources
- Basic Day Care License (Idaho Dept of Health and Welfare)
- Idaho Child Care Program
- Idaho Care Line
Or call the Idaho Care Line at 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588
