Arkansas Childcare Licensing
Arkansas Childcare Licensing Requirements (2026)
Arkansas childcare licensing is administered by the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE). A licensed Arkansas center must maintain a parent handbook covering 13 state-mandated policy areas, each tied to a specific administrative-code citation. Unannounced on-site monitoring visits at least three (3) times per year for child care centers; family/registered homes one to three times annually depending on program type. Conducted by the Office of Early Childhood Child Care Licensing Unit (Licensing Specialists). Statutory inspection/investigation authority: Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-214 (Investigating child care facilities) and MLR Section 108 Licensing Investigations. NOTE: the 'three times per year' frequency is the Division's stated monitoring policy (per DESE/ADE), not a number fixed in § 20-78-214.
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamArkansas Licensing Requirements: The Specifics
Arkansas 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 Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005 (Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers), Section 100/102 General Requirements (umbrella; the MLR has no dedicated 'hours of operation' section). Parent access during hours of operation is governed by Section 401 item 10 ('Parents shall not be denied access to their child at any time during hours of operation'). The 'fewer than 10 hours/week' threshold is part of the Section 202 Definitions/exemption framework (no more than 5 hours/day or 10 hours/week), not a numbered hours-of-operation section..
Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005 (Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers), Section 100/102 General Requirements (umbrella; the MLR has no dedicated 'hours of operation' section). Parent access during hours of operation is governed by Section 401 item 10 ('Parents shall not be denied access to their child at any time during hours of operation'). The 'fewer than 10 hours/week' threshold is part of the Section 202 Definitions/exemption framework (no more than 5 hours/day or 10 hours/week), not a numbered hours-of-operation section.
Arkansas 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 Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 500 Behavior Guidance (Section 501 Behavior Guidance Requirements; Section 502 Infant & Toddler Behavior Guidance Requirements) — confirmed verbatim, incl. no physical punishment and time-out not to exceed 1 minute per year of age..
Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 500 Behavior Guidance (Section 501 Behavior Guidance Requirements; Section 502 Infant & Toddler Behavior Guidance Requirements) — confirmed verbatim, incl. no physical punishment and time-out not to exceed 1 minute per year of age.
Arkansas childcare centers must include a written Illness and Exclusion Policy section in the parent handbook (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1100 Health / Section 1101 General Health Requirements (no child/staff with a contagious or infectious disease admitted; temporary exclusion for fever, diarrhea, contagious disease; fever over 103°F)..
Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1100 Health / Section 1101 General Health Requirements (no child/staff with a contagious or infectious disease admitted; temporary exclusion for fever, diarrhea, contagious disease; fever over 103°F).
Arkansas 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 Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1100 Health / Section 1101 General Health Requirements (medication in original container with child-resistant cap, written parental permission, no dosages exceeding label recommendations; administering staff initials permission slip and records date/time/dosage)..
Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1100 Health / Section 1101 General Health Requirements (medication in original container with child-resistant cap, written parental permission, no dosages exceeding label recommendations; administering staff initials permission slip and records date/time/dosage).
Arkansas childcare centers must include a written Emergency Procedures section in the parent handbook (Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.) per Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1200 Safety / Section 1201 Safety Requirements (written emergency/disaster plan per Act 801 of 2009; fire and tornado drills practiced monthly on separate days; posted evacuation diagrams; evacuation pack required)..
Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1200 Safety / Section 1201 Safety Requirements (written emergency/disaster plan per Act 801 of 2009; fire and tornado drills practiced monthly on separate days; posted evacuation diagrams; evacuation pack required).
Arkansas 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 Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 600 Records / Section 601 Record Requirements (children signed in and out daily by a parent or guardian, or designee; electronic sign-in/out permitted)..
Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 600 Records / Section 601 Record Requirements (children signed in and out daily by a parent or guardian, or designee; electronic sign-in/out permitted).
Arkansas Licensing Requirements at a Glance
| Hours of Operation | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005 (Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers), Section 100/102 General Requirements (umbrella; the MLR has no dedicated 'hours of operation' section). Parent access during hours of operation is governed by Section 401 item 10 ('Parents shall not be denied access to their child at any time during hours of operation'). The 'fewer than 10 hours/week' threshold is part of the Section 202 Definitions/exemption framework (no more than 5 hours/day or 10 hours/week), not a numbered hours-of-operation section. |
|---|---|
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 500 Behavior Guidance (Section 501 Behavior Guidance Requirements; Section 502 Infant & Toddler Behavior Guidance Requirements) — confirmed verbatim, incl. no physical punishment and time-out not to exceed 1 minute per year of age. |
| Illness and Exclusion Policy | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1100 Health / Section 1101 General Health Requirements (no child/staff with a contagious or infectious disease admitted; temporary exclusion for fever, diarrhea, contagious disease; fever over 103°F). |
| Medication Administration Policy | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1100 Health / Section 1101 General Health Requirements (medication in original container with child-resistant cap, written parental permission, no dosages exceeding label recommendations; administering staff initials permission slip and records date/time/dosage). |
| Emergency Procedures | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1200 Safety / Section 1201 Safety Requirements (written emergency/disaster plan per Act 801 of 2009; fire and tornado drills practiced monthly on separate days; posted evacuation diagrams; evacuation pack required). |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 600 Records / Section 601 Record Requirements (children signed in and out daily by a parent or guardian, or designee; electronic sign-in/out permitted). |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 700 Nutrition (Section 701 Nutrition Requirements; Section 702 Infant & Toddler Nutrition Requirements). |
| Parent Communication Policy | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 400 Program / Section 401 Program Requirements for all ages, item 11 (at least four (4) Division-approved opportunities for parental involvement) — umbrella; the MLR has no standalone 'parent communication' section. |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 105 Appeal of Licensing Actions (a Licensee or applicant may request an appeal of any adverse licensing action) — provider appeal. Consumer/parent complaints are handled via Section 108 Licensing Investigations / the complaint process; the MLR has no standalone consumer 'grievance' section (umbrella). |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 100/102 General Requirements (caregivers are mandated reporters required to call the Child Maltreatment Hotline 1-800-482-5964) and Section 109 Child Maltreatment Checks, implementing the Child Maltreatment Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-402 (Mandated reporters). |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 604 Children's Records (enrollment/application form contents, emergency contacts, authorizations) and Section 104 License Fee (annual facility license fee: $15 up to 17 children; $50 for 17–99; $100 for 100+). Umbrella — the MLR regulates the facility license fee, not parent tuition/fees. |
| Health and Safety Policies | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 1100 Health (Section 1101 General Health Requirements) and Section 1200 Safety (Section 1201 Safety Requirements); building/physical-environment standards at Section 800 Buildings and playground standards at Section 900. |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | Arkansas MLR 016.22.20-005, Section 100/101 Related Laws and Requirements / Section 102 General Requirements (compliance with applicable federal/state law) — umbrella; the MLR contains no standalone nondiscrimination section. Programs receiving Child Care Assistance/CCDF and CACFP funds are separately bound by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d). |
Go Deeper
Generate a Arkansas-Compliant Handbook
TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your Arkansas childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
Arkansas Licensing Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
Which agency regulates childcare licensing in Arkansas?
Childcare licensing in Arkansas is regulated by the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE). Official licensing information is published at https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-early-childhood/child-care-licensing.
How many handbook policy sections does Arkansas require?
Arkansas 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 Arkansas inspect licensed childcare centers?
Unannounced on-site monitoring visits at least three (3) times per year for child care centers; family/registered homes one to three times annually depending on program type. Conducted by the Office of Early Childhood Child Care Licensing Unit (Licensing Specialists). Statutory inspection/investigation authority: Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-214 (Investigating child care facilities) and MLR Section 108 Licensing Investigations. NOTE: the 'three times per year' frequency is the Division's stated monitoring policy (per DESE/ADE), not a number fixed in § 20-78-214.
What happens if a Arkansas center is out of compliance?
Civil monetary penalties under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-203 (Penalties): Class A violations (essential standards — fire, health, safety, nutrition, staff-to-child ratio, space; operating unlicensed = Class A) = $100 per violation; Class B violations (administrative standards) = $50 per violation; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense and aggregate fines in any one month shall not exceed $500. Criminal penalty (§ 20-78-203): any person violating the subchapter or assisting a violation is guilty of a violation and upon conviction fined not less than $25.00 and not more than $100.00. License actions — the Division may issue a provisional license, deny, suspend, or revoke a license under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-213 and MLR Section 103 (items on Suspension/Revocation) and Section 105 (Appeal of Licensing Actions). Unpaid fines/penalties are a debt owed the State collectible by civil action; collected fines/penalties are special revenues deposited to the Child Care Fund (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 20-78-219 and 20-78-224).
Arkansas childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Arkansas administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.