The Learning Experience

Criminal background check requests must be successfully completed prior to an individual caring for children or allowing the individual unsupervised access or the potentail to have unsupervised access to children in child care centers (less than 24-hour care), school-age child care facilities, family child care homes, and qualified exempt provider homes.

Rule 2.121.D.4.a. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Oct 26, 2026.

The following background check requests must be submitted and successfully completed for each state an individual has resided in, in the past five (5) years, prior to an individual caring for children or allowing the individual unsupervised access or the potential to have unsupervised access to children in child care centers (less than 24-hour care), school-age child care facilities, family child care homes, and qualified exempt provider homes:

Rule 2.121.J.1. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Oct 26, 2026.

An admission record must be completed for each child prior to or at the time of the child’s admission. This record must be updated annually and when changes occur. The admission record must include: A dated, written authorization for emergency medical care signed and updated annually by the parent(s)/guardian(s). The authorization must be notarized if required by the local hospital, clinic, or emergency health care facility;

Rule 2.209.A.7. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Oct 26, 2026.

All staff must complete a Department-approved Standard Precautions training prior to working with children. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

Rule 2.213.B. CDEC’s category: Personnel. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Oct 26, 2026.

All employees and regular volunteers must be trained using a Department-approved training about Child Abuse Prevention prior to working with children, which includes common symptoms and signs of child abuse, how to report, where to report, and when to report suspected or known child abuse or neglect. This training must be renewed annually.

Rule 2.213.G. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Oct 26, 2026.

At the time of admission, the parent(s)/guardian(s) must provide for each child entering the center: Documentation of school-required immunization status or certificate of medical or nonmedical exemption, is required by the Colorado Board of Health. Up-to-date school-required immunizations must be documented as specified on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment certificate of immunization or on an ‘approved alternate’ Certificate of Immunization, defined in Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment rules located in 6 CCR 1009-2 rule section VI(A), (May 15, 2023), no later editions or amendments are incorporated. These regulations are available from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at no cost at www.sos.state.co.us/CCR. These regulations are also available for public inspection and copying at the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, 710 S. Ash St., Bldg. C, Denver, CO 80246, during regular business hours. Colorado law requires proof of immunization status or exemption be provided prior to or on the first day of admission.

Rule 2.219.B.1. CDEC’s category: Child Records. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Oct 26, 2026.

All staff must complete a Department-approved Standard Precautions training prior to working with children. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

Rule 2.213.B. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Personnel. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Aug 13, 2026. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Sep 10, 2026.

Staff working with infants less than twelve (12) months old must complete a Department-approved Safe Sleep training prior to working with infants less than twelve (12) months old. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

Rule 2.213.C. From a complaint. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Aug 13, 2026. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Sep 10, 2026.

All employees and regular volunteers must be trained using a Department-approved training about Child Abuse Prevention prior to working with children, which includes common symptoms and signs of child abuse, how to report, where to report, and when to report suspected or known child abuse or neglect. This training must be renewed annually.

Rule 2.213.G. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Aug 13, 2026. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Sep 10, 2026.

Staff to Child Ratios by ages of children and number of staff- 6 weeks to 18 months (infants):1 staff member to 5 infants; 12 months to 36 months: 1 staff member to 5 toddlers; 24 months to 36 months: 1 staff member to 7 toddlers; 2-1/2 years to 3 years:1 staff member to 8 children; 3 years to 4 years: 1 staff member to 10 children; 4 years to 5 years: 1 staff member to 12 children; 5 years and older: 1 staff member to 15 children; Mixed-age group 2-1/2 yrs to 6 yrs: 1 staff member to 10 children.

Rule 2.217.A.14. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: General Requirement/Physical Care. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Aug 13, 2026. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Sep 10, 2026.

Toys, toy parts, furnishings, equipment, and any materials accessible to children under than three (3) years of age must not be a choke hazard or able to be inhaled. Any area of the facility accessible to children less than three (3) years of age must be free of any choke or inhalation hazards.

Rule 2.229.L. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Equipment/Materials. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Aug 13, 2026. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Sep 10, 2026.

The following background check requests must be submitted and successfully completed for each state an individual has resided in, in the past five years, prior to an individual caring for children or allowing the individual unsupervised access to children in child care centers (less than 24-hour care), school-age child care facilities, family child care homes, and qualified exempt provider homes:

Rule 2.121.J.1. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

All facilities, except family child care homes must post in every room of the child care facility, excluding bedrooms and living areas, the license capacity of the room and the staff-to-child ratio required by regulation to be maintained for the age of children cared for in the room.

Rule 2.127.D. CDEC’s category: General Rules. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

Prior to caring for children, all staff must complete a Department-approved training in emergency and disaster preparedness: Evacuation, Shelter in Place, Lockdown, and Active Shooter on Premises Plans for Children in Care. For seasonal children’s resident camp programs, operating no more than 90 days per calendar year, at least one on site director must be trained in the Department approved training.

Rule 2.133.A. CDEC’s category: General Rules. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

Emergency drills, lockdown and active shooter on premises drills must be held at least quarterly but often enough so that all occupants are familiar with the drill procedure and their conduct during a drill is a matter of established routine. Fire drills must be held monthly and be consistent with local fire department procedures. Tornado drills must be held monthly from March to October. A record of all emergency drills held over the past twelve (12) months must be maintained by the facility or center, including date and time of drill, number of adults and children participating, and the amount of time taken to evacuate.

Rule 2.138.A. CDEC’s category: General Rules. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

An admission record must be completed for each child prior to or at the time of the child’s admission. This record must be updated annually and when changes occur. The admission record must include: A dated, written authorization for emergency medical care signed and updated annually by the parent(s)/guardian(s). The authorization must be notarized if required by the local hospital, clinic, or emergency health care facility;

Rule 2.209.A.7. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

All staff members must submit to the center a medical statement, signed and dated by a physician or other health care provider, verifying that they are in good mental, physical, and emotional health appropriate for the position for which they have been hired. This statement must be dated no more than six (6) months prior to employment or within thirty (30) calendar days after the first date of employment. Subsequent self-reported health histories must be submitted annually.

Rule 2.212.G. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

All staff must complete a Department-approved standard precautions training prior to working with children. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

Rule 2.213.B. CDEC’s category: Personnel. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

Staff working with infants less than twelve (12) months old must complete a Department-approved safe sleep training prior to working with infants less than twelve (12) months old. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

Rule 2.213.C. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

Staff working with children less than three (3) years of age must complete a Department-approved prevention of shaken baby/abusive head trauma training prior to working with children less than three (3) years of age. This training must be renewed every two (2) years and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

Rule 2.213.D. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

Within thirty (30) calendar days of employment, all employees and regular volunteers must be trained using a Department-approved training about child abuse prevention, which includes common symptoms and signs of child abuse, how to report, where to report, and when to report suspected or known child abuse or neglect. This training must be renewed annually.

Rule 2.213.G. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

Within thirty (30) calendar days of employment and annually, all staff responsible for the collection, review, and maintenance of the child immunizations records must complete the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment immunization course.

Rule 2.213.N. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

There must be assigned at least one (1) qualified early childhood teacher supervising each group of children unless otherwise specified in rules. A director may be the assigned teacher for one (1) group of children.

Rule 2.217.A.7. CDEC’s category: General Requirement/Physical Care. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

At the time of admission, the parent(s)/guardian(s) must provide for each child entering the center: Documentation of school-required immunization status or certificate of medical or nonmedical exemption, is required by the Colorado Board of Health. Up-to-date school-required immunizations must be documented as specified on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment certificate of immunization or on an “approved alternate” Certificate of Immunization, defined in Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment rules located in 6 CCR 1009-2 rule section VI(A), (May 15, 2023), no later editions or amendments are incorporated. These regulations are available from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at no cost at www.sos.state.co.us/CCR. These regulations are also available for public inspection and copying at the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, 710 S. Ash St., Bldg. C, Denver, CO 80246, during regular business hours. Colorado law requires proof of immunization status or exemption be provided prior to or on the first day of admission.

Rule 2.219.B.1. CDEC’s category: Child Records. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Nov 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

Within thirty (30) calendar days of admission, and within thirty (30) calendar days following the expiration date of a previous health statement, the parent(s)/guardian(s) of each child must submit a statement of the child’s current health status or written verification of a scheduled appointment with a health care provider. The statement of the child’s current health status must be signed and dated by a health care provider who has seen the child within the last twelve (12) months, or within the last six (6) months for children less than two and one-half (2½) years of age. The statement must include when the next visit is required by the health care provider. All health statements must be kept at the center.

Rule 2.219.B.2. CDEC’s category: Child Records. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 21, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 22, 2025.

Children must not be subjected to physical or emotional harm, humiliation, or threats.

Rule 2.225.B. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Guidance. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Oct 28, 2025.

All staff must complete a Department-approved standard precautions training prior to working with children. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

Rule 2.213.B. CDEC’s category: Personnel. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Aug 18, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Sep 4, 2025.

The written policies and procedures must be developed, implemented, and followed, and must include at a minimum the following information: The procedure, including notification of parent(s)/guardian(s), for handling children’s illnesses, accidents, and injuries

Rule 2.206.B.10. From a complaint. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jul 17, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Aug 8, 2025.

All staff at the center must demonstrate knowledgeable decision-making, judgment, and concern for the proper care and well-being of children.

Rule 2.212.A. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Personnel. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jul 17, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Aug 8, 2025.

Infants who fall asleep in a piece of equipment not approved for sleep must immediately be moved to their approved sleep area and placed on their back to sleep.

Rule 2.223.C.15. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Infant Program. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jul 17, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Aug 8, 2025.

If the office space is accessible to children, it must be free of hazards.

Rule 2.236.A.1. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Building Requirements. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jul 17, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Aug 8, 2025.

Maximum Group Size for Children by Ages of children and maximum group size: 6 weeks to 18 months:10 infants,12 months to 36 months:10 toddlers, 24 months to 36 months: 14 toddlers, 2-1/2 years to 3 years: 16 children, 3 years to 4 years: 20 children, 4 years to 5 years: 24 children, 5 years and older: 30 children, Mixed age group 2-1/2 to 6 years of age: 20 children.

Rule 2.217.A.15. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: General Requirement/Physical Care. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jun 3, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Jul 21, 2025.

Items labeled “keep out of reach of children” must be inaccessible to children.

Rule 2.229.C. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Equipment/Materials. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jun 3, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Jul 21, 2025.

Each owner and employee sixteen (16) years of age or older of a facility or agency shall complete the fingerprint process at an approved vendor. Payment of the fee for the criminal record check is the responsibility of the individual being checked or the facility or agency. The results of the criminal record check, the CBI and/or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) response letters, must be maintained at the home, center, facility, or agency and must be available for review upon request by a Licensing Specialist.

Rule 2.121.D. CDEC’s category: General Rules. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 20, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Jan 20, 2025.

All staff members must submit to the center a medical statement, signed and dated by a physician or other health care provider, verifying that they are in good mental, physical, and emotional health appropriate for the position for which they have been hired. This statement must be dated no more than six (6) months prior to employment or within thirty (30) calendar days after the first date of employment. Subsequent self-reported health histories must be submitted annually.

Rule 2.212.G. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 20, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Jan 20, 2025.

All staff must complete a Department-approved standard precautions training prior to working with children. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

Rule 2.213.B. CDEC’s category: Personnel. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 20, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Jan 20, 2025.

Staff working with children less than three (3) years of age must complete a Department-approved prevention of shaken baby/abusive head trauma training prior to working with children less than three (3) years of age. This training must be renewed every two (2) years and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

Rule 2.213.D. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 20, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Jan 20, 2025.

Within thirty (30) calendar days of employment, all employees caring for children, not required by rule to be certified in First Aid and CPR, must complete the Department-approved Introduction to First Aid and CPR module. The module must be renewed every two (2) years.

Rule 2.213.F. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 20, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Jan 20, 2025.

Within thirty (30) calendar days of employment, all employees and regular volunteers must be trained using a Department-approved training about child abuse prevention, which includes common symptoms and signs of child abuse, how to report, where to report, and when to report suspected or known child abuse or neglect. This training must be renewed annually.

Rule 2.213.G. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 20, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Jan 20, 2025.

All staff must have at least one (1) hour of child development training within ninety (90) days of employment. This training must include the major domains (cognitive, social, emotional, physical development and approaches to learning). This training is required once and will count toward ongoing training requirements if taken after the date of hire.

Rule 2.213.L. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 20, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Jan 20, 2025.

Within thirty (30) calendar days of admission, and within thirty (30) calendar days following the expiration date of a previous health statement, the parent(s)/guardian(s) of each child must submit a statement of the child’s current health status or written verification of a scheduled appointment with a health care provider. The statement of the child’s current health status must be signed and dated by a health care provider who has seen the child within the last twelve (12) months, or within the last six (6) months for children less than two and one-half (2½) years of age. The statement must include when the next visit is required by the health care provider. All health statements must be kept at the center.

Rule 2.219.B.2. CDEC’s category: Child Records. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 20, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Jan 20, 2025.

Criminal background check requests must be successfully completed prior to an individual caring for children or allowing the individual unsupervised access to children in child care centers (less than 24-hour care), school-age child care facilities, family child care homes, and qualified exempt provider homes.

Rule 2.121.D.4.a. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 24, 2024.

An admission record must be completed for each child prior to or at the time of the child’s admission. This record must be updated annually and when changes occur. The admission record must include: Name, address, and telephone numbers of the child’s health care provider, dentist, and if applicable, their hospital of choice.

Rule 2.209.A.5. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 24, 2024.

Staff and children’s records must be available, upon request, to authorized personnel of the Department.

Rule 2.211.B. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 24, 2024.

An early childhood teacher, assigned responsibility for a single group of children and working under the supervision of a director, must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and meet at least one (1) of the following qualifications:

Rule 2.216.A.1. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 24, 2024.

The infant program must have an infant program supervisor who meets at least one (1) of the following qualifications: A Registered Nurse, with an active license from the Colorado State Board of Nursing, with a minimum of three (3) months (455 hours) of verifiable experience in the care and supervision of infants who are not related to the individual;

Rule 2.216.B.1.a.1. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 24, 2024.

At least one (1) staff member with the current Department-approved medication administration training and delegation must be on duty at all times.

Rule 2.217.A.9. CDEC’s category: Health/Medication. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 24, 2024.

Center staff must have a monthly consultation with a current Department-approved Child Care Health Consultant who must meet one (1) of the following qualifications: A Licensed Registered Nurse with knowledge and experience in maternal and child health.

Rule 2.217.C.1.a. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 24, 2024.

Indoor and outdoor equipment, materials, and furnishings must be sturdy, safe, and free of hazards.

Rule 2.230.B. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 24, 2024.