Managing Your Child Care Business
Resources for existing child care facilities
Operating a child care program involves meeting licensing requirements, maintaining safe environments for children, completing background checks, and participating in ongoing professional development.
The Alaska Child Care Program Office (CCPO) oversees child care licensing and program requirements for providers across most of the state. Providers located within the Municipality of Anchorage work with the Anchorage Health Department Child Care Licensing Program, which administers licensing and inspections within Anchorage.
This page provides information about licensing requirements, background checks, training requirements, and resources that help providers manage their child care programs.
Learn more about Anchorage licensingLicensing Requirements
Child care licensing helps ensure programs operate safely and meet standards designed to protect children. Licensing requirements apply to child care centers, group homes, and family child care homes.
Licensed providers must follow requirements related to:
- Health and safety standards
- Staff qualifications and training
- Criminal background checks
- Child-to-staff ratios
- Facility safety and sanitation
- Program operations and record keeping
Most providers must obtain a license before caring for more than four unrelated children.
Providers must also maintain compliance with licensing regulations through regular monitoring and inspections.
Providers located within the Municipality of Anchorage must follow licensing requirements administered by the Anchorage Health Department.
Staff Background Checks
Individuals who work in or are associated with licensed child care programs must complete a valid criminal history background check before they may have contact with children.
Background checks help ensure individuals working with children do not have disqualifying criminal offenses.
A valid criminal history check is required for all individuals described in 7 AAC 10.910(a) who are associated with a child care facility and are 16 years of age or older.
This may include:
- Child care providers
- Staff members
- Volunteers
- Household members in home-based child care settings
- Other individuals with access to children in the facility
Applicants must submit an application through the Alaska Background Check Program (BCP) using the New Alaska Background Check System (NABCS) before they may have contact with children.
To begin the background check process, individuals must have:
- A myAlaska account
- A valid email address
Once a provisional licensing application is submitted, instructions will be provided on completing the required background check.
When applying for a Child Care Provisional Home License, applicants should review the Introduction to the Provisional Child Care Licensing Process along with any additional required materials. Carefully following the provided instructions will help ensure a smooth and successful application process. Navigate to the Alaska Child Care Information System (AKCCIS) to easily submit your application online.
Interstate Background Checks
Federal law requires states to conduct comprehensive background checks for individuals working in child care programs. This includes checking criminal history records across state lines when applicable.
If an individual has lived in another state, Alaska may conduct interstate background checks that include:
- Criminal history records from other states
- National sex offender registry checks
- Child abuse and neglect registry checks from other states when available
These checks help ensure individuals working with children meet national health and safety requirements under the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program.
Learn more about the Alaska Background Check Program.
Health and Safety Requirements
Licensed child care providers must follow health and safety standards designed to protect children’s well-being.
These requirements help ensure children are cared for in safe and healthy environments.
Health and safety requirements may include:
- Safe sleep practices for infants
- Prevention of infectious diseases
- Safe building and facility conditions
- Emergency preparedness and evacuation planning
- Safe food handling and storage
- Medication administration procedures
- Hazardous material storage and safety
Providers must ensure these standards are maintained in their facility or home at all times.
Staff Qualifications and Training
Child care providers and staff must complete training and maintain ongoing professional development to support children’s safety and development.
Training requirements may include:
- Child growth and development
- Safe sleep practices
- Prevention and reporting of child abuse and neglect
- Emergency preparedness and response planning
- Prevention of infectious diseases
- Building and physical premises safety
- Handling hazardous materials
- Safe transportation practices when applicable
- Medication administration
Providers must also maintain current CPR and First Aid certification.
Training helps ensure providers have the knowledge and skills needed to create safe and supportive learning environments for children.
Monitoring and Inspections
Licensed child care programs receive regular monitoring visits and inspections to verify compliance with licensing regulations.
Monitoring helps ensure programs continue to meet requirements related to:
- Health and safety standards
- Supervision and child-to-staff ratios
- Facility safety and sanitation
- Staff qualifications and background checks
- Program operations
Licensing staff may conduct routine inspections, complaint investigations, or follow-up visits when necessary.
Inspection results are documented in the Alaska Child Care Information System (AKCCIS).
Quality Rating and Improvement System
Alaska supports child care providers in improving program quality through initiatives designed to strengthen early learning environments and provider practices. These efforts help programs build strong foundations for children’s development while supporting providers in their professional growth.
Quality improvement efforts may include:
- Professional development and training
- Coaching and technical assistance
- Program quality assessments
- Resources to support early learning environments
Learn & Grow
Alaska’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS), Learn & Grow, supports child care programs in building and sustaining high-quality practices. Programs can choose to participate and progress through levels of quality, receiving recognition for their efforts.
Through Learn & Grow, providers may:
- Receive individualized coaching and support
- Participate in program assessments to identify strengths and areas for growth
- Access tools and resources to improve classroom environments and teaching practices
- Earn recognition for quality levels that can be shared with families
Participation in Learn & Grow helps programs demonstrate their commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
SEED (System for Early Education Development)
SEED supports the professional development of Alaska’s early childhood workforce. It provides a centralized system for tracking education, training, and experience, helping providers build their careers and meet program requirements.
Through SEED, providers can:
- Maintain a professional registry profile documenting training and education
- Access career pathways and guidance for advancement
- Find approved training opportunities and professional development resources
- Connect qualifications to Learn & Grow participation and other program requirements
Using SEED helps providers stay organized, meet training expectations, and plan for long-term career growth in early childhood education.
Programs that participate in quality improvement initiatives like Learn & Grow and utilize tools like SEED may receive additional support to strengthen teaching practices and program operations.
Learn more
Financial Assistance Programs for Child Care Providers
Child care providers may be eligible to participate in programs that support child care services and help make child care more affordable for families.
These programs may include:
- Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) – providers receive payment for serving eligible families
- Child Care Grant Program (CCG) – funding to support program expansion, facility improvements, and workforce development
Participation requirements vary depending on the program.
Professional Development for Existing Providers
Professional development opportunities help providers continue building skills that support children’s development and program quality.
Training opportunities may include:
- Early childhood education coursework
- Health and safety training
- Program administration and business practices
- Coaching and mentoring programs
Providers may access training resources and professional development opportunities through thread Alaska, the state’s Child Care Resource and Referral agency.
Learn more about provider training and supports through thread.