Inspection Process
Both licensed and license-exempt facilities are required to have annual fire, sanitation and health inspections. In addition, licensed facilities have additional compliance monitoring inspections each year.
Licensed facilities are inspected at least once annually by staff from:
- Fire safety; and
- Environmental sanitation.
Licensed facilities are inspected at least twice annually by staff from:
- Section for Child Care Compliance
License exempt facilities are inspected once annually by staff from:
- Fire safety;
- Environmental sanitation; and
- Section for Child Care Compliance
Exempt facilities are not inspected by Section for Child Care Regulation.
Sanitation Inspections
DESE child care sanitation inspectors conduct thorough inspections to ensure the health and safety of children in care. Inspectors evaluate cleanliness, facility maintenance, water and sewer services, hygiene, food protection, diapering, and other various procedural issues that promote a healthy environment.
Guidelines
- Sanitation Inspection Guidelines for Licensed Group Child Care Homes, Licensed Child Care Centers, and License-Exempt Child Care Facilities
- Sanitation Inspection Guidelines for Family Child Care Homes
See articles above for the link to Sanitation Inspection Guidelines for Family Child Care Homes and for the Sanitation Inspection Guidelines for Group Child Care Homes, Child Care Centers and License-Exempt Child Care Facilities.
Child Care Portal Training
Child care directors, owners, and family home providers can comment on any violations on an inspection report or complaint investigation. Please complete this training on the Child Care Portal to gain access. Child Care Portal Training is informational only. You will not receive clock hour credit for this training.