Child Care Facilities
CONTACT US
Environmental Health Services
Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
3160 Center Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-588-5346
Fax: 503-566-2986
Certified Family Child Care Homes
A certified family child care home operates in a single family home, most often the provider's own home. The provider may hire assistants to help care for children.
How many children are allowed?
- Up to 12 children may be in care at one time
- Up to 16 children may be allowed with prior approval from the Child Care Licensing Division
The provider's own children count toward the total number of children in care. They are included when determining caregiver to child ratios and group size.
A caregiver to child ratio is the number of adults required to safely supervise a certain number of children.
Inspections and Licensing
Before a license is issued:
- An Environmental Health Specialist must inspect and approve the home.
- A licensing specialist from the Child Care Licensing Division must also inspect and approve the home.
Both specialists must complete an inspection each year before the license can be renewed.
Background Registry Requirements
The following people must enroll in the Child Care Licensing Division's Central Background Registry if they are 18 or older:
- The provider
- All other people living in the home
- Substitute caregivers
- Staff members
- Volunteers
The Central Background Registry is a statewide system that reviews criminal and child abuse history to help protect children in care.
Certified Child Care Centers
A certified child care center operates in a facility that meets local zoning, occupancy, and building code requirements. These centers are usually located in commercial buildings.
Zoning laws control how property can be used. Building and occupancy codes set safety standards for structures and how many people can safely use them.
How many children are allowed?
The maximum number of children allowed depends on:
- The size of the building
- The number of qualified staff
- Other safety and licensing requirements
Each license lists the maximum number of children allowed in care at one time.
Inspections and Licensing
Before a license is issued:
- An Environmental Health Specialist must inspect and approve the facility.
- The local fire department must inspect and approve the facility.
- A licensing specialist from the Child Care Licensing Division must inspect and approve the facility.
All three inspections must take place every year before the license can be renewed.
Background Registry Requirements
The following people must enroll in the Child Care Licensing Division's Central Background Registry if they are age 18 or older:
- The center director
- Child care staff
- Volunteers
- Any person who may have unsupervised contact with children during operating hours
Unsupervised contact means being alone with a child without another approved adult present.
The Central Background Registry helps ensure that people working with children have passed required safety checks.
Child Care Licensing and Inspection Resources
Use the links below to access child care licensing information and required forms.
Oregon Department of Education Early Learning and Care: Licensed Child Care Information
State information about licensed child care providers and requirements.
Child Care Center Plan Review Application (PDF)
Application form for child care center plan review prior to licensing or construction.
Child Care Inspection Request Form (PDF)
Form to request a required child care inspection.
Email Privacy: While we are happy to answer general questions via email, we suggest you do not transmit personal or health related information in your message. We cannot meet any expectation you might have of confidentiality when you communicate with us over the Internet. If you have a specific personal or health-related issue, please call the appropriate county government office instead.
Email address: health@co.marion.or.us
To report a public health emergency, or make an urgent report of communicable disease, call (503) 588-5621 at anytime.
