Louisiana Childcare Licensing
Louisiana Childcare Licensing Requirements (2026)
Louisiana childcare licensing is administered by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Bulletin 137 - Louisiana's Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations (LAC Title 28, Part CLXI). A licensed Louisiana center must maintain a parent handbook covering 13 state-mandated policy areas, each tied to a specific administrative-code citation. After initial licensure, inspections shall be conducted as deemed necessary by the department at regular intervals not to exceed one year (i.e., at least annually) and without notice to the early learning center, per La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §713 (Renewal and Other Inspection Procedures). An initial inspection is required before licensure under Chapter 7 (§701/§703).
Licensing Agency
Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Bulletin 137 - Louisiana's Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations (LAC Title 28, Part CLXI) →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamLouisiana Licensing Requirements: The Specifics
Louisiana 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 La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1513 (Schedules - written and posted days/hours of operation and closures); operational compliance per §1501 (Operations).
La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1513 (Schedules - written and posted days/hours of operation and closures); operational compliance per §1501 (Operations)
Louisiana 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 La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.8 (Behavior Management Policy - guidance methods, prohibited disciplinary actions, time-out procedures).
La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.8 (Behavior Management Policy - guidance methods, prohibited disciplinary actions, time-out procedures)
Louisiana childcare centers must include a written Illness and Exclusion Policy section in the parent handbook (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1915 (Health Services - observation of physical condition on arrival, documentation, immediate parental notification thresholds); immunization-based exclusion under La. R.S. 17:170.
La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1915 (Health Services - observation of physical condition on arrival, documentation, immediate parental notification thresholds); immunization-based exclusion under La. R.S. 17:170
Louisiana 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 La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1917 (Medication Administration - written parental authorization required).
La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1917 (Medication Administration - written parental authorization required)
Louisiana childcare centers must include a written Emergency Procedures section in the parent handbook (Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.) per La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1921 (Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Planning).
La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1921 (Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Planning)
Louisiana 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 La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1511 (Procedures - written procedures for receiving and releasing a child from the center); child-release authorization (list of persons to whom child may be released) per §1515.
La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1511 (Procedures - written procedures for receiving and releasing a child from the center); child-release authorization (list of persons to whom child may be released) per §1515
Louisiana Licensing Requirements at a Glance
| Hours of Operation | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1513 (Schedules - written and posted days/hours of operation and closures); operational compliance per §1501 (Operations) |
|---|---|
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.8 (Behavior Management Policy - guidance methods, prohibited disciplinary actions, time-out procedures) |
| Illness and Exclusion Policy | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1915 (Health Services - observation of physical condition on arrival, documentation, immediate parental notification thresholds); immunization-based exclusion under La. R.S. 17:170 |
| Medication Administration Policy | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1917 (Medication Administration - written parental authorization required) |
| Emergency Procedures | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1921 (Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Planning) |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1511 (Procedures - written procedures for receiving and releasing a child from the center); child-release authorization (list of persons to whom child may be released) per §1515 |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1919 (Food Service and Nutrition - USDA CACFP 7 CFR 226.20 and LAC 51:XXIII, both cited verbatim in §1919.A) |
| Parent Communication Policy | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.6 (Parental Access Policy) and §1509.A.7 (Parental Involvement Policy); parent reporting/notification of incidents and illness under §1915 |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.5 (Complaint Policy - parents advised of department licensing authority and how to file complaints) |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.1 (Child Abuse and Neglect Policy - report suspected abuse/neglect to LA Child Protection Statewide Hotline 855-452-5437 / 855-4LA-KIDS); statutory basis La. Children's Code art. 609-610 and La. R.S. 14:403 |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.3 (Admissions Policy) and §1515 (Child Records and Cumulative Files - parent-signed information form, authorizations); annual licensure fee schedule at §313 and administrative/licensure fees at §707 |
| Health and Safety Policies | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1901 (General Safety Requirements) and §1903 (Physical Environment); Chapter 19 (Minimum Health, Safety, and Environment Requirements and Standards, §1901-§1921) generally |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1509.A.2 (Non-discrimination Policy - race, color, creed, sex, national origin, handicap, ancestry, or whether a child is being breastfed) |
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Louisiana Licensing Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
Which agency regulates childcare licensing in Louisiana?
Childcare licensing in Louisiana is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Bulletin 137 - Louisiana's Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations (LAC Title 28, Part CLXI). Official licensing information is published at https://doe.louisiana.gov/early-childhood/child-care-facility-licensing.
How many handbook policy sections does Louisiana require?
Louisiana 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 Louisiana inspect licensed childcare centers?
After initial licensure, inspections shall be conducted as deemed necessary by the department at regular intervals not to exceed one year (i.e., at least annually) and without notice to the early learning center, per La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §713 (Renewal and Other Inspection Procedures). An initial inspection is required before licensure under Chapter 7 (§701/§703).
What happens if a Louisiana center is out of compliance?
Civil fines under La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §1105 (Identified Violations and Fines): for a second violation/deficiency of the same standard within a 24-month period (not resulting in revocation), a fine of up to $250 per day for each day of the violation, not to exceed $2,000 within a consecutive 12-month period. Continued or serious noncompliance can result in denial, revocation, or non-renewal of the license (Chapter 13). Annual licensure fees range from $25 (15 or fewer children) to $250 (101 or more children) per §313 (type I church/religious centers exempt). Separately, a mandated reporter who knowingly and willfully fails to report suspected child abuse/neglect is fined up to $500 and/or imprisoned up to 6 months (La. R.S. 14:403 / La. Children's Code art. 609-610); enhanced penalties up to $3,000 and/or 3 years apply for failure to report sexual abuse or abuse resulting in serious injury/death.
Louisiana childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Louisiana administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Bulletin 137 - Louisiana's Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations (LAC Title 28, Part CLXI) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.