Alaska Childcare Licensing Requirements (2026)

Alaska childcare centers must include a written Hours of Operation section in the parent handbook (Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy.) per 7 AAC 57.410(3) (hours and days of operation, including holidays, in the written information for parents); see also 7 AAC 57.220 (Child care facility operation and management).

7 AAC 57.410(3) (hours and days of operation, including holidays, in the written information for parents); see also 7 AAC 57.220 (Child care facility operation and management)

Alaska childcare centers must include a written Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy section in the parent handbook (Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps.) per 7 AAC 57.535 (Behavior guidance).

7 AAC 57.535 (Behavior guidance)

Alaska childcare centers must include a written Illness and Exclusion Policy section in the parent handbook (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per 7 AAC 57.550 (Health) — exclusion/mildly-ill provisions at 7 AAC 57.550(g)-(i); see also 7 AAC 57.545 (Reducing the spread of disease).

7 AAC 57.550 (Health) — exclusion/mildly-ill provisions at 7 AAC 57.550(g)-(i); see also 7 AAC 57.545 (Reducing the spread of disease)

Alaska childcare centers must include a written Medication Administration Policy section in the parent handbook (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per 7 AAC 57.540 (Medications) (incorporating storage/administration standards of 7 AAC 10.1070).

7 AAC 57.540 (Medications) (incorporating storage/administration standards of 7 AAC 10.1070)

Alaska childcare centers must include a written Emergency Procedures section in the parent handbook (Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.) per 7 AAC 57.610 (Environmental health and safety), incorporating 7 AAC 10.1000-10.1095; 7 AAC 10.1010 (Life and fire safety) — disaster preparedness/emergency evacuation plan and drills.

7 AAC 57.610 (Environmental health and safety), incorporating 7 AAC 10.1000-10.1095; 7 AAC 10.1010 (Life and fire safety) — disaster preparedness/emergency evacuation plan and drills

Alaska childcare centers must include a written Arrival and Departure Procedures section in the parent handbook (Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees.) per 7 AAC 57.500 (Supervision of children); see also 7 AAC 57.410(4) (supervision plan in written information for parents).

7 AAC 57.500 (Supervision of children); see also 7 AAC 57.410(4) (supervision plan in written information for parents)

Which agency regulates childcare licensing in Alaska?

Childcare licensing in Alaska is regulated by the Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance, Child Care Program Office (CCPO) — Child Care Licensing Program. Official licensing information is published at https://health.alaska.gov/en/division-of-public-assistance/child-care-program-office/.

How many handbook policy sections does Alaska require?

Alaska requires at least 13 mandatory policy sections in a licensed center's parent handbook, each backed by a specific state regulatory citation.

How often does Alaska inspect licensed childcare centers?

No fixed numeric inspection interval is set in 7 AAC 57. The department's monitoring/inspection authority is in 7 AAC 57.040 (Inspections and evaluations by an individual or agency) and 7 AAC 57.900 (Compliance and enforcement) under AS 47.32; the department monitors and investigates facilities for compliance and conducts complaint-driven investigations, and may conduct announced and unannounced on-site monitoring. Licenses are issued/renewed on a biennial (2-year) basis under 7 AAC 57.030 (Application for license; biennial renewal).

What happens if a Alaska center is out of compliance?

Enforcement is governed by 7 AAC 57.900 under AS 47.32 (Centralized Licensing). Under AS 47.32.140, a civil fine may not exceed $2,500 a day for each day of a continuing violation, or $25,000 for a single violation, and does not preclude a criminal penalty. The department may also take enforcement actions including license conditions, provisional licensure, suspension, revocation, or non-renewal (grounds at 7 AAC 57.035, Grounds for nonrenewal or revocation of license). Failure to report suspected child abuse/neglect is separately a class A misdemeanor under AS 47.17.068.