Statutes and Regulations

Home > Licensing > Statutes and Regulations

Licensing

Types of child care programs

Licensing requirements and fees vary based on provider type. Below are the definitions for each as found in the Statutes and Regulations:

Child Care Center
A “child care center” which offers or provides a program of supplementary care to more than twelve related or unrelated children outside of their own homes on a regular basis.

Group Child Care Home
A “group child care home” which offers or provides a program of supplementary care (A) to not less than seven or more than twelve related or unrelated children on a regular basis, or (B) that meets the definition of a family child care home except that it operates in a facility other than a private family home.

Family Child Care Homes
A “family child care home” which consists of a private family home caring for not more than six children, including the provider’s own children not in school full time, where the children are cared for not less than three or more than twelve hours during a twenty-four-hour period and where care is given on a regular recurring basis except that care may be provided in excess of twelve hours but not more than seventy-two consecutive hours to accomodate a need for extended care or intermittent short-term overnight care. During the regular school year, a maximum of three additional children who are in school full time, including the provider’s own children, shall be permitted, except that if the provider has more than three children who are in schoool full time, all of the provider’s children shall be permitted.

Youth Camps
“Youth camp” means any regularly scheduled program or organized group activity advertised as a camp or operated only during school vacations or on weekends by a person, partnership, corporation, association, the state, or a municipal agency for recreational or educational purposes and accommodating for profit or under philanthropic or charitable auspices five or more children, who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age, who are (A) not bona fide personal guests in the private home of an individual, and (B) living apart from their relatives, parents, legal guardian, for a period of three days or more per week or portions of three or more days per week, provided any such relative, parent, or guardian who is an employee of such camp shall not be considered to be in the position of loco parentis to such employee’s child for the purpose of this chapter, but does not include (i) classroom-based summer instructional program operated by any person, provided no activities that may pose a health risk or hazard to participating children are conducted at such programs, (ii) public schools, or private schools in compliance with section 10-188 and approved by the State Board of Education or accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the State Board of Education, which operate a summer educational program, (iii) licensed child care centers, or (iv) drop-in programs for children who are at least six years of age administered by a nationally chartered boys’ and girls’ club.

  • Resident Camps: “Resident camp” means any youth camp which is established, conducted or maintained on any parcel or parcels of landon which there are located dwelling units or buildings intended to accommodate five or more children who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age for at least seventy-two consecutive hours and in which the campers attending such camps eat and sleep.
  • Day Camps: “Day camp” means any youth camp which is established, conducted or maintained on any parcel or parcels of land on which there are located dwelling units or buildings intended to accommodate five or more children who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age during daylight hours for at least three days a week with the campers eating and sleeping at home, except for one meal per day, but does not include programs operated by a municipal agency.

Statutes and regulations

State regulations establish standards of operation for child care providers. We work to ensure that all licensed child care programs and youth camps meet or exceed these standards.

Family Child Care Homes

Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes

Youth camps

Related state regulations for youth camps

Last updated February 9, 2023