Your complete guide to Washington State childcare licensing. Understand the requirements before you build.
The Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) regulates all licensed childcare facilities in the state. Meeting their requirements isn't just about compliance — it's about building a safe, high-quality environment where children can thrive. This guide covers the key requirements you need to know before designing your facility.
DCYF has specific space requirements that directly impact your facility design and capacity. Understanding these early in the planning process prevents costly redesigns later.
Washington State requires specific staff-to-child ratios based on age groups. These ratios must be maintained at all times, including during transitions, outdoor play, and meals. Understanding these ratios helps you plan staffing and classroom configurations.
DCYF has comprehensive health and safety requirements covering everything from handwashing sinks to emergency exits. Building these requirements into your facility design from the start is much more cost-effective than retrofitting later.
All individuals who have unsupervised access to children must complete a comprehensive background check through DCYF. This includes staff, volunteers, and anyone regularly present at the facility during operating hours.
Washington State requires childcare staff to complete initial and ongoing training through the STARS (State Training and Registry System). Directors and lead teachers have additional educational requirements.
The DCYF licensing process typically takes 3-6 months from application to approval. Being well-prepared with documentation and a compliant facility can significantly speed up the timeline.
DCYF requires a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor space per child and 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child. This does not include hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, or storage areas. The space must be measured at floor level and excludes built-in furniture.
Ratios vary by age: Infants (birth-12 months) require 1:4 ratio, Toddlers (12-30 months) require 1:7 ratio, Preschool (30 months-6 years) require 1:10 ratio, and School-age (5-12 years) require 1:15 ratio. These ratios must be maintained at all times.
The complete licensing process typically takes 3-6 months. This includes application review (2-4 weeks), background checks (2-4 weeks), facility inspection, and final approval. Having all documentation ready and a compliant facility can speed up the process.
All staff, volunteers, and household members over 16 (for family childcare) must complete a DCYF background check including FBI fingerprint check, state criminal history, sex offender registry, and child abuse/neglect registry checks. Background checks must be renewed every 3 years.
Staff must complete: 30 hours of STARS basic training within first 90 days, 10 hours of annual continuing education, current first aid/CPR certification, food handler's permit (if preparing food), HIV/AIDS training, and child abuse and neglect recognition training.
We've been through the licensing process ourselves and help clients navigate it every day. Let us help you build a facility that passes inspection the first time.