Arkansas Child Care State Contacts

If you are interested in starting your own Arkansas child care business, then you will want to be aware of the following information. Arkansas Department of Human Services , Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education” establishes the minimum standards for all types of the child care programs. These programs include unlicensed homes, voluntary registered child care family homes, licensed homes, and licensed child care centers. Depending on the type of Arkansas child care program, there many some incentives associated with that program.

The Child Care Licensing Act 20-78-202 of 1969 allows for 1 or more persons of an unlicensed home to care for fewer than 6 children; however unlicensed homes are not eligible for any incentives.

Arkansas voluntary registered child care family homes are regulated by the “Registered Child Care Family Homes,” PUB-003, allowed to care for 5 or fewer children, and receive periodic unannounced monitors. These homes are eligible to participate in state and federally funded programs.

A child care provider wishing to provide care for 6 or more children from more than 1 family at a time (this includes the caregivers own preschool children) must obtain a license according to the Child Care Licensing Act. In a licensed home, a child care provider may keep up to 16 children depending on the ages of children and the number of child care providers present. However, health and fire department approvals are required if care is provided to 11 or more children. Check with your city to find out if city zoning approval is required. Licensed homes are subject to periodic unannounced monitor visits and are eligible to participate in many of the state and federally funded programs.

Arkansas licensed child care centers must obtain a license according to the Child Care Licensing Act if the facility provides care to 6 or more children from more than family. However, if the child care facility operates for less than 10 hours a week, then the facility is exempt from obtaining a license. These centers are also eligible to participate in many of the state and federally funded programs.

Additional information has been listed for Arkansas child care and daycare providers looking to find out about CPR courses, child care associations, continuing education courses, and where to report child abuse. More resources will be continuously added, so check back often for updates. If you know of a valuable resource that you would like to shared, please contact me and I will be sure to add it to our master list.