Connecticut Childcare Licensing
Connecticut Childcare Required Forms & Documents (2026)
Licensed childcare centers in Connecticut must collect, complete, and retain specific forms for every enrolled child before care begins. The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing requires 6 distinct forms or documents — from enrollment agreements to emergency contacts to immunization records — to remain on file and available for inspection at all times.
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamConnecticut Required Forms & Documents: The Specifics
Connecticut childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Child Care Center / Group Child Care Home Initial License Application — Connecticut OEC Division of Licensing for every enrolled child (per Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing).
Connecticut childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Licensure fee submitted with application/renewal (CGS 19a-80(b)(2): $500 center / $250 group child care home per four-year term) for every enrolled child (per Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing).
Connecticut childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Local building/fire official approval (written approval by local building inspector / local director of health / fire marshal submitted with the application) for every enrolled child (per Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing).
Connecticut childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Comprehensive background check / fingerprint submission package (state and national criminal history records check per CGS 29-17a, plus state child abuse registry check per CGS 17a-101k; initiated via OEC) for every enrolled child (per Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing).
Connecticut childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Health assessment / physician-signed physical examination form and immunization record for each enrolled child (RCSA 19a-79-5a(a)(2) and 19a-79-6a(e)) for every enrolled child (per Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing).
Connecticut childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Enrollment and specific written parental permission forms, including written transportation authorization (RCSA 19a-79-5a(a)(1)) for every enrolled child (per Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing).
Connecticut Required Forms & Documents at a Glance
| Child Care Center / Group Child Care Home Initial License Application — Connecticut OEC Division of Licensing | Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing |
|---|---|
| Licensure fee submitted with application/renewal (CGS 19a-80(b)(2): $500 center / $250 group child care home per four-year term) | Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing |
| Local building/fire official approval (written approval by local building inspector / local director of health / fire marshal submitted with the application) | Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing |
| Comprehensive background check / fingerprint submission package (state and national criminal history records check per CGS 29-17a, plus state child abuse registry check per CGS 17a-101k; initiated via OEC) | Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing |
| Health assessment / physician-signed physical examination form and immunization record for each enrolled child (RCSA 19a-79-5a(a)(2) and 19a-79-6a(e)) | Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing |
| Enrollment and specific written parental permission forms, including written transportation authorization (RCSA 19a-79-5a(a)(1)) | Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing |
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Connecticut Required Forms & Documents: Frequently Asked Questions
What forms are required for childcare enrollment in Connecticut?
Connecticut requires the following forms for each enrolled child: Child Care Center / Group Child Care Home Initial License Application — Connecticut OEC Division of Licensing; Licensure fee submitted with application/renewal (CGS 19a-80(b)(2): $500 center / $250 group child care home per four-year term); Local building/fire official approval (written approval by local building inspector / local director of health / fire marshal submitted with the application); Comprehensive background check / fingerprint submission package (state and national criminal history records check per CGS 29-17a, plus state child abuse registry check per CGS 17a-101k; initiated via OEC); Health assessment / physician-signed physical examination form and immunization record for each enrolled child (RCSA 19a-79-5a(a)(2) and 19a-79-6a(e)); Enrollment and specific written parental permission forms, including written transportation authorization (RCSA 19a-79-5a(a)(1)).
How long must Connecticut childcare centers keep enrollment forms on file?
Connecticut childcare licensing rules require that child records, including all required enrollment forms, be kept on file for the duration of enrollment and for a retention period after the child leaves. Contact the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing to confirm the exact retention schedule.
What happens if a Connecticut center is missing required child forms during an inspection?
Missing or incomplete required forms are a citable deficiency in a Connecticut childcare licensing inspection. Operating a child care center or group child care home without a current and valid license is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100 per day for each day of unlicensed operation under CGS Sec. 19a-87(a), imposed after written notice and an opportunity for a hearing under chapter 54. Under CGS Sec. 19a-87a, the Commissioner of Early Childhood has discretion to refuse to issue, suspend, or revoke a license, or take other enforcement action set forth in regulation, after notice and opportunity for a hearing as provided in CGS Sec. 19a-84.
Does TotReady provide templates for Connecticut required forms?
TotReady's enrollment form tool and incident report tool generate Connecticut-ready documents pre-filled with the required fields. Visit /tools/enrollment-form and /tools/incident-report to get started.
Connecticut childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Connecticut administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.