Daycare License Verification Guide 2026: How to Check Any Provider

Is your daycare properly licensed? Checking a daycare's licensing status is one of the most important steps in choosing care for your child. Licensed programs must meet state safety standards, pass inspections, and maintain proper ratios—protections that unlicensed care doesn't guarantee.

This guide covers everything about verifying daycare licenses in 2026: how to check licensing, what to look for in inspection reports, understanding violations, and ensuring your child's care meets all legal requirements.

Table of Contents

• Why Licensing Matters
• How to Check Licensing Status
• Understanding Inspection Reports
• Types of Violations
• Licensed vs Unlicensed Care
• Red Flags in Licensing
• State Licensing Resources

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Why Licensing Matters

What licensing protects.

What Licensing Ensures

Licensed programs must meet:

• Staff-to-child ratio requirements
• Background check requirements
• Health and safety standards
• Facility safety requirements
• Staff training minimums
• Record-keeping requirements
• Emergency procedure standards

Protection for Children

Licensing helps ensure:

• Safe physical environment
• Proper supervision
• Screened caregivers
• Health and sanitation standards
• Emergency preparedness
• Regular inspections

The Inspection Process

Licensed daycares are:

• Inspected before opening
• Inspected annually (at minimum)
• Subject to surprise visits
• Required to correct violations
• Accountable to regulatory body

Licensing ≠ Quality (But It's a Floor)

Understand:

• Licensing sets minimum standards
• Programs can exceed minimums
• Quality varies among licensed programs
• Licensing is necessary but not sufficient
• Look for quality beyond licensing

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How to Check Licensing Status

Step-by-step verification.

Step 1: Get Daycare's Full Legal Name

You'll need:

• Daycare's legal business name
• Address
• License number (if available)
• Owner/operator name

Note: The marketing name may differ from legal name.

Step 2: Find Your State's Lookup Tool

Most states have online search:

• Google: "[Your state] daycare license lookup"
• Visit state licensing agency website
• Look for "search" or "verify" option
• Use our state resources below

Step 3: Search the Database

Search by:

• Provider name
• Address
• License number
• County or region

Step 4: Review the Results

Check:

• Current license status (active?)
• License type (center, home, etc.)
• Capacity licensed for
• Expiration date
• Any restrictions

Step 5: Read Inspection Reports

Look at:

• Most recent inspection
• Past 2-3 years of inspections
• Violation history
• Complaint history
• Corrective actions

What to Look For

Good signs:

• Active, current license
• Clean recent inspections
• No serious violations
• Issues corrected promptly

Concerns:

• Expired or provisional license
• Repeated violations
• Serious health/safety issues
• Complaints not resolved

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Understanding Inspection Reports

What inspections reveal.

How Inspections Work

Typical process:

• Announced or unannounced visits
• Inspector reviews compliance
• Observations and documentation
• Interviews with staff
• Record review
• Facility walkthrough

What Inspectors Check

Common areas:

| Category | What They Review | |----------|------------------| | Safety | Hazards, emergency equipment, supervision | | Health | Sanitation, food handling, illness policies | | Staffing | Ratios, qualifications, background checks | | Records | Immunizations, attendance, incident reports | | Facility | Maintenance, equipment, outdoor areas | | Program | Age-appropriate activities, discipline |

Reading Inspection Results

Reports typically show:

• Date of inspection
• Type (routine, complaint, follow-up)
• Violations found
• Severity of violations
• Required corrections
• Correction deadlines
• Follow-up actions

Inspection Frequency

Varies by state:

• Annual minimum (most states)
• Quarterly for some
• More frequent if issues
• Complaint-triggered any time

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Types of Violations

Understanding severity.

Minor/Technical Violations

Examples:

• Paperwork incomplete
• Minor documentation errors
• Training certificates expired
• Minor maintenance issues
• Record-keeping gaps

Concern level: Low—common and usually corrected quickly

Moderate Violations

Examples:

• Ratios slightly off (briefly)
• Food handling issues
• Minor safety hazards
• Incomplete background checks
• Supervision lapses

Concern level: Medium—should be corrected, watch for patterns

Serious Violations

Examples:

• Significant ratio violations
• Children unsupervised
• Physical environment hazards
• Staff without background checks
• Improper discipline observed

Concern level: High—immediate correction required

Critical Violations

Examples:

• Abuse or neglect
• Dangerous conditions
• Criminal activity
• Refusal to comply
• Immediate danger to children

Result: May lead to license suspension or revocation

How to Evaluate Violations

Consider:

• Severity of the violation
• Pattern or one-time issue?
• Was it corrected quickly?
• How recent is it?
• Is there a trend?

Don't panic over:

• Single minor violations
• Technical paperwork issues
• Quickly corrected problems
• Very old violations

Be concerned about:

• Repeated violations
• Serious safety issues
• Slow corrections
• Recent or ongoing issues
• Pattern of problems

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Licensed vs Unlicensed Care

Understanding the difference.

What "Unlicensed" Means

Can be:

• License-exempt (legal)
• Not required to be licensed
• Illegally operating without license
• Different category of care

License-Exempt Care

Often exempt:

• Care by relatives
• Care in child's home (nannies)
• Very small home daycares (varies by state)
• Religious organization programs (in some states)
• Part-time programs under certain hours

License-exempt is not necessarily bad—but know what you're choosing.

Risks of Unlicensed Care

May lack:

• Background checks
• Health and safety inspections
• Ratio requirements
• Training requirements
• Oversight and accountability
• Insurance requirements

When Unlicensed May Be Okay

Consider carefully if:

• You know the provider well
• You've verified background yourself
• Environment is safe
• It's a trusted family member
• It's a legal nanny arrangement

Always Verify

Even if license-exempt:

• Check if they SHOULD be licensed
• Run your own background check
• Verify insurance
• Inspect the environment
• Check references

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Red Flags in Licensing

Warning signs to watch for.

Immediate Red Flags

Walk away if:

• No license displayed
• Refuses to show license
• License is revoked or suspended
• Operating beyond capacity
• Operating illegally

Concerning Patterns

Investigate further if:

• Multiple serious violations
• Same violations repeated
• Slow to correct issues
• Recent complaints filed
• License on probation

Questions to Ask

If you find violations:

1. "Can you explain this violation?"
2. "What did you do to correct it?"
3. "How do you prevent it from recurring?"
4. "When was your last inspection?"
5. "Can I see your current license?"

What They Should Know

Good programs can:

• Explain any violations
• Show corrective actions
• Discuss inspection process openly
• Display license prominently
• Welcome your questions

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State Licensing Resources

Find your state's database.

How to Find State Resources

General approach:

1. Google "[State] childcare licensing"
2. Look for official .gov website
3. Find "search" or "verify license" section
4. Search by provider name or address

Major State Resources

| State | Agency | What to Search For | |-------|--------|-------------------| | California | cdss.ca.gov | Community Care Licensing | | Texas | hhs.texas.gov | Child Care Licensing | | Florida | myflfamilies.com | Child Care Search | | New York | ocfs.ny.gov | Child Care Search | | Pennsylvania | dhs.pa.gov | Child Care Search | | Illinois | dhs.state.il.us | Provider Search | | Ohio | jfs.ohio.gov | Child Care Search | | Georgia | decal.ga.gov | Provider Search | | North Carolina | ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov | Search | | Michigan | michigan.gov/lara | Licensing Search |

What to Look Up

Search for:

• License status
• Inspection history
• Violation records
• Complaint history
• Capacity limits
• License type

Keep Records

Save:

• Screenshots of license status
• Date you verified
• Any violations noted
• Questions to ask provider

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Verification Checklist

Before Enrollment

• [ ] Get daycare's legal name
• [ ] Find state licensing database
• [ ] Search and verify active license
• [ ] Review recent inspection reports
• [ ] Note any violations
• [ ] Ask about violations if found
• [ ] Check complaint history
• [ ] Verify capacity matches what you see

During Tour

• [ ] License displayed prominently?
• [ ] Ask about licensing
• [ ] Inquire about recent inspections
• [ ] Ask about violation corrections
• [ ] Request inspection report copy

After Enrollment

• [ ] Check periodically for updates
• [ ] Note any changes
• [ ] Watch for new violations
• [ ] Report concerns if needed

How to Report Concerns

If you observe violations:

• Document what you see
• Report to state licensing agency
• Can report anonymously usually
• Serious concerns: report immediately
• Keep records of your reports

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Quick Reference

License Status Meanings

| Status | Meaning | Action | |--------|---------|--------| | Active | Valid, in good standing | Good to go | | Expired | No longer valid | Do not enroll | | Suspended | Temporarily not valid | Do not enroll | | Revoked | Permanently canceled | Do not enroll | | Provisional | Conditional, probationary | Proceed with caution | | Pending | In process | Wait for resolution |

Violation Severity Quick Guide

| Type | Examples | Response | |------|----------|----------| | Minor | Paperwork errors | Acceptable if corrected | | Moderate | Ratio violations (brief) | Ask questions | | Serious | Safety hazards, supervision | Significant concern | | Critical | Abuse, danger | Do not enroll |

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Resources

• Find Licensed Daycare Near You
• Daycare Red Flags Guide
• Questions to Ask Daycare Providers
• NAEYC Accreditation Guide

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Last updated: December 2025