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Certified child care centers

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is responsible for certifying and monitoring license-exempt child care centers that participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Certification helps keep children safe and healthy by making sure providers meet basic standards for care and a safe physical environment.

Information on how to obtain child care center certification

License-exempt child care centers that want to participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) are required to complete a certification process with DCYF before becoming authorized to receive CCAP payments. Information and resources are available about the process of applying for certification.

News and updates

Provider Hub

The Provider Hub is the online system to manage existing licenses and apply for new licenses. The Provider Hub is available to providers 24/7 and is accessible on mobile devices, tablets, and computers. The Provider Hub supports English, Somali, Spanish, and Hmong languages.

The Provider Hub allows child care providers to:

  • Manage existing certified centers, including requesting changes and submitting information for the annual certification review. 
  • Apply for a license for a new program.
  • Add additional users to access program information.

Most of the information about how to use the Provider Hub is in the Hub itself. Visit the Provider Hub webpage for resources about how to find that information, or about how to log in or begin an application in the Hub.

Contact us

Changes in policies and procedures

Health and safety requirements

Emergency preparedness

Reporting

Background study requirements

Staffing requirements

Training requirements

Parental access

Certified centers must include a statement in both the staff and parent policies that a parent or legal guardian must be allowed access to their child at any time their child is in care.

Legal authority: Minn. Stat. 245H.18

Forms and other documents

In the coming months, licensing forms will be updated to incorporate the DCYF logo, updated contact information, and renumbered statutes as appropriate. Please download forms directly from this webpage to be sure you are using the current version.

Certification renewals, fees, and changes

Guidance

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