Child Care

Child Care

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. Child care-related concerns/complaints are to be submitted to the 2-1-1 Idaho Careline for correct agency referral and follow-up.

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 child care services. They may have licensing requirements that are stricter than the state licensing law. 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 a licensed child care provider, approved ICCP child care provider, or becoming eligible for ICCP is available on the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Child Care Program website, or on the Idaho Careline 211 website. Additional Weblinks are provided on the right hand side of this page.


Choose Safe Places

Idaho's Choose Safe Places Program helps ensure that early care and education programs are located in safe places, so that children aren't exposed to dangerous chemicals during their care. 

Child care providers should proactively consider possible sources of environmental exposure prior to committing to a location for a child care business. Early care and education facilities may be located in places where children and staff are exposed to harmful chemicals even if facilities meet current licensing regulations. New child care providers may be unaware if a proposed site is in a contaminated industrial building that was never cleaned up, or next door to a dry cleaner using harmful chemicals. This can put staff and children, who are more sensitive because they’re still growing, at risk of health problems.

The Choose Safe Places Program provides child care providers with a voluntary property checklist, which helps to identify and assess potential environmental risks when considering a site for a business. 

Learn more about the Choose Safe Places Program by reading the Partner Factsheet and Joint Factsheet.

Spanish: Partner Fact Sheet | Property Checklist

Public Health - Idaho North Central District
215 10th Street
Lewiston, ID 83501

Phone: (208) 799-3100
Fax: (208) 799-0349

Idaho Careline: 211

EPI ISSUES: 1-800-632-8000
For medical emergencies dial: 911.

Disclaimer

All information is general in nature and is not intended to be used as a substitute for appropriate professional advice.

For more information please call (208) 799-3100 or Idaho Careline: 211.

Idaho Public Health

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