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1. Who must be licensed?

According to state law, anyone caring for children from more than 1 unrelated family must be licensed. Providing child care, illegally, is a misdemeanor.

2. Is there a fee for licensing?

Child care licensing fees were implemented on October 1, 2003. Fee information can be found in Minnesota Statute 245A.10. Licensing fees may not exceed $150 initially and $200 at relicensing.

3. Are there any other fees?

If your home meets the requirements for a fire marshal inspection, there is a fee for that inspection. According to law, it may not exceed $50 per inspection. Fire marshal inspections in Chisago County are completed by the State Fire Marshal Office or designated local fire departments.

4. How do I get a license?

Applications for licenses are distributed at a required orientation training. At the orientation training session, child care licensing staff will cover licensing rules and child care practice.

After the county receives a completed application, a background study is completed of the applicant and family members. The background study includes checking records with local police, social services and a criminal check with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

When all application information has been received, and the background study is successfully completed a home licensing inspection is scheduled. Once the inspection is completed, and all other requirements are met, licensing staff recommends that the Minnesota Department of Human Services issue a license.

5. Will child care licensing staff continue to help me once I am licensed?

Licensing staff assists providers in many ways, including:

• Newsletters with important child care information, including training opportunities and legislative updates.
• Licensing staff is available to supply state and local licensing and best practice information, as well as to answer questions.
• Providing health and safety information.
• Referral to resources.

6. What else do I need to know?

Licensed family child care providers can expect unscheduled visits from Chisago County as part of their license requirements. Some providers are surprised that licensing visits are not always scheduled ahead of time.

The county recognizes that providers may feel inconvenienced. Staff understands these concerns and does not expect activities with children to stop because of the visit. Staff recognizes that caring for children is the provider's primary responsibility. The purpose of the visit is to monitor the success of licensed family child care.

7. How long does the licensing process take?

After the application is received with the fee payment, background studies are processed and take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months depending on where the person has lived in the last 5 years. An individual can be licensed as quickly as within 1 month of licensing receiving the application and it can take as long as 3 months. There are many factors that affect the licensing process timelines.

8. How many children can I care for at 1 time?

Most providers start out with the ability to care for 10 total children at 1 time.

Of those 10 children, there can be a maximum of 6 children under school age. Of those 6 children, there can be a combination of 3 infants and toddlers with no more than 2 infants at 1 time.