Nebraska Childcare Licensing
Nebraska Childcare Licensing Requirements (2026)
Nebraska childcare licensing is administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit - Children's Services Licensing (Child Care Centers). A licensed Nebraska center must maintain a parent handbook covering 13 state-mandated policy areas, each tied to a specific administrative-code citation. Initial on-site inspection within 30 days of receipt of a completed provisional-license application (391 NAC 3-005.01), and an unannounced provisional-to-operating inspection within 30 days of receipt of the operating-license application (391 NAC 3-005.02). Routine unannounced inspections (391 NAC 3-005.03 Annual and Semi-Annual License Inspections): a minimum of once each year for centers licensed for 29 or fewer children, and a minimum of twice each year for centers licensed for 30 or more children. Follow-up inspections, if conducted, occur no later than 60 days after the original inspection (391 NAC 3-005.04); discretionary monitoring inspections are also permitted (391 NAC 3-005.05). Complaint investigations are conducted under 391 NAC 3-005.07. (Note: the official PDF table of contents contains a typographical numbering error listing the annual/semi-annual provision as '3-004.03'; the section body correctly numbers it 3-005.03.)
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamNebraska Licensing Requirements: The Specifics
Nebraska 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 391 NAC 3-006.14A(2) (Description of Services - 'Days and hours of operation'; under Title 391 Neb. Admin. Code Ch. 3, 3-006.14A item 2). VERIFIED against official 391 NAC 3 PDF..
391 NAC 3-006.14A(2) (Description of Services - 'Days and hours of operation'; under Title 391 Neb. Admin. Code Ch. 3, 3-006.14A item 2). VERIFIED against official 391 NAC 3 PDF.
Nebraska 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 391 NAC 3-006.20 (Discipline), with subsections 3-006.20A Prohibited Forms of Discipline, 3-006.20B Child Behavior That Cannot Be Disciplined, 3-006.20C Use of Time Out, 3-006.20D Use of Physical Hold, and 3-006.20E Use of Restraints. VERIFIED verbatim..
391 NAC 3-006.20 (Discipline), with subsections 3-006.20A Prohibited Forms of Discipline, 3-006.20B Child Behavior That Cannot Be Disciplined, 3-006.20C Use of Time Out, 3-006.20D Use of Physical Hold, and 3-006.20E Use of Restraints. VERIFIED verbatim.
Nebraska childcare centers must include a written Illness and Exclusion Policy section in the parent handbook (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per 391 NAC 3-006.17 (Children Excluded Due to Illness); related 391 NAC 3-006.16 (Communicable Diseases) and 3-006.16A (Notification to Parents). VERIFIED verbatim..
391 NAC 3-006.17 (Children Excluded Due to Illness); related 391 NAC 3-006.16 (Communicable Diseases) and 3-006.16A (Notification to Parents). VERIFIED verbatim.
Nebraska 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 391 NAC 3-006.27 (Medications), subsections 3-006.27A (Giving or Applying Medication) through 3-006.27H (Record-Keeping). VERIFIED verbatim (A through H exist)..
391 NAC 3-006.27 (Medications), subsections 3-006.27A (Giving or Applying Medication) through 3-006.27H (Record-Keeping). VERIFIED verbatim (A through H exist).
Nebraska childcare centers must include a written Emergency Procedures section in the parent handbook (Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.) per 391 NAC 3-006.30 (Emergency Preparedness), subsections 3-006.30A Telephone through 3-006.30F First Aid Kit (A Telephone, B Fire and Tornado Drills, C Fire and Tornado Safety Diagrams, D Disaster Preparedness, E Notification to Department, F First Aid Kit). VERIFIED verbatim..
391 NAC 3-006.30 (Emergency Preparedness), subsections 3-006.30A Telephone through 3-006.30F First Aid Kit (A Telephone, B Fire and Tornado Drills, C Fire and Tornado Safety Diagrams, D Disaster Preparedness, E Notification to Department, F First Aid Kit). VERIFIED verbatim.
Nebraska 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 391 NAC 3-006.14B(4) (Center Policies - 'Verifying the identification of individuals approved to remove children from the center'); related 391 NAC 3-006.19 (Supervision of Children). VERIFIED verbatim (3-006.14B item 4)..
391 NAC 3-006.14B(4) (Center Policies - 'Verifying the identification of individuals approved to remove children from the center'); related 391 NAC 3-006.19 (Supervision of Children). VERIFIED verbatim (3-006.14B item 4).
Nebraska Licensing Requirements at a Glance
| Hours of Operation | 391 NAC 3-006.14A(2) (Description of Services - 'Days and hours of operation'; under Title 391 Neb. Admin. Code Ch. 3, 3-006.14A item 2). VERIFIED against official 391 NAC 3 PDF. |
|---|---|
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy | 391 NAC 3-006.20 (Discipline), with subsections 3-006.20A Prohibited Forms of Discipline, 3-006.20B Child Behavior That Cannot Be Disciplined, 3-006.20C Use of Time Out, 3-006.20D Use of Physical Hold, and 3-006.20E Use of Restraints. VERIFIED verbatim. |
| Illness and Exclusion Policy | 391 NAC 3-006.17 (Children Excluded Due to Illness); related 391 NAC 3-006.16 (Communicable Diseases) and 3-006.16A (Notification to Parents). VERIFIED verbatim. |
| Medication Administration Policy | 391 NAC 3-006.27 (Medications), subsections 3-006.27A (Giving or Applying Medication) through 3-006.27H (Record-Keeping). VERIFIED verbatim (A through H exist). |
| Emergency Procedures | 391 NAC 3-006.30 (Emergency Preparedness), subsections 3-006.30A Telephone through 3-006.30F First Aid Kit (A Telephone, B Fire and Tornado Drills, C Fire and Tornado Safety Diagrams, D Disaster Preparedness, E Notification to Department, F First Aid Kit). VERIFIED verbatim. |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | 391 NAC 3-006.14B(4) (Center Policies - 'Verifying the identification of individuals approved to remove children from the center'); related 391 NAC 3-006.19 (Supervision of Children). VERIFIED verbatim (3-006.14B item 4). |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | 391 NAC 3-006.28 (Food Service) and 3-006.28A (Number of Meals and Snacks Required - 1 snack for 2.5-4 hrs; 1 snack+1 meal for 4-8 hrs; 2 snacks+1 meal for 8-10 hrs; 2 snacks+2 meals for 10+ hrs); related 391 NAC 3-006.29 (Food Safety). VERIFIED verbatim. |
| Parent Communication Policy | 391 NAC 3-006.14 (Description of Center Services and Policies - copies of the written description and policies must be given to all parents); related 391 NAC 3-006.13 (Parent Information Brochure) and 3-006.16A (Notification to Parents). VERIFIED verbatim. |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | 391 NAC 3-006.14B(5) (Center Policies - 'Parent grievances, questions, or concerns'); state-level complaint process at 391 NAC 3-005.07 (Complaint Investigation). VERIFIED verbatim (3-006.14B item 5; note official TOC titles 3-005.07 'Complaint Investigation'). |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | 391 NAC 3-006.02 (Director Requirements), items 9-10: develop/implement written procedures requiring the reporting of physical abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse, and immediately file a report with the Child Abuse-Neglect Hotline (1-800-652-1999) and/or local law enforcement. Statutory basis: Neb. Rev. Stat. s 28-711 (mandatory child abuse/neglect reporting) and the Child Protection Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. ss 28-710 to 28-727. CORRECTED: duty/hotline is in 3-006.02 (Director Requirements), NOT 3-006.01 (Licensee Requirements, which contains only general administrative duties). |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | 391 NAC 3-006.14B(3) (Center Policies - 'Fees/contract information for parents') and 3-006.14B(2) ('Conditions for suspending and terminating care'); licensure fees at 391 NAC 3-004.08 ($25 for licensed capacity 1-29; $50 for capacity 30+; initial and annual, nonrefundable). VERIFIED verbatim. |
| Health and Safety Policies | 391 NAC 3-006 (Standards of Operation and Care) and 391 NAC 3-007 (Physical Plant Standards); environmental safety at 391 NAC 3-006.32 (Environmental Safety) and environmental services at 3-006.31. VERIFIED: 3-007 Physical Plant Standards exists (3-007.01 Activity Space through 3-007.06 Sanitation). |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | No standalone nondiscrimination section exists in Title 391 NAC 3 (confirmed by full review of the 391 NAC 3 table of contents, 3-001 through 3-008). Closest verified umbrella is 391 NAC 3-006.01 (Licensee Requirements) read with the Child Care Licensing Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. ss 71-1908 to 71-1923. State anti-discrimination authority: Neb. Rev. Stat. s 20-132 (public accommodations - 'Full and equal enjoyment of accommodations,' part of ss 20-132 to 20-143; race/color/sex/religion/national origin/disability/ancestry/military) and Neb. Rev. Stat. s 48-1104 (Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act - 'Unlawful employment practice for an employer'). CORRECTED: s 20-132 is the public-accommodations statute, NOT the Fair Employment Practice Act; s 48-1104 is the Fair Employment Practice Act provision. Umbrella citation - no fabricated specific child-care section. |
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Nebraska Licensing Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
Which agency regulates childcare licensing in Nebraska?
Childcare licensing in Nebraska is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit - Children's Services Licensing (Child Care Centers). Official licensing information is published at https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/child-care-licensing.aspx.
How many handbook policy sections does Nebraska require?
Nebraska 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 Nebraska inspect licensed childcare centers?
Initial on-site inspection within 30 days of receipt of a completed provisional-license application (391 NAC 3-005.01), and an unannounced provisional-to-operating inspection within 30 days of receipt of the operating-license application (391 NAC 3-005.02). Routine unannounced inspections (391 NAC 3-005.03 Annual and Semi-Annual License Inspections): a minimum of once each year for centers licensed for 29 or fewer children, and a minimum of twice each year for centers licensed for 30 or more children. Follow-up inspections, if conducted, occur no later than 60 days after the original inspection (391 NAC 3-005.04); discretionary monitoring inspections are also permitted (391 NAC 3-005.05). Complaint investigations are conducted under 391 NAC 3-005.07. (Note: the official PDF table of contents contains a typographical numbering error listing the annual/semi-annual provision as '3-004.03'; the section body correctly numbers it 3-005.03.)
What happens if a Nebraska center is out of compliance?
Under 391 NAC 3-008.02 (Types of Disciplinary Action), DHHS may impose any one or a combination of: (1) a probationary license; (2) suspension or revocation of a provisional, probationary, or operating license; (3) a civil penalty of up to $5 per child - based on the number of children the program is authorized to care for on the effective date of the finding of violation - for each day the program is in violation; (4) restrictions on new enrollment; (5) restrictions/limits on the number or age of children served; or (6) other restrictions on the type of service provided. Unpaid fines constitute a debt to the State of Nebraska, collectible by lien foreclosure or court action in district court, and are remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the permanent school fund (391 NAC 3-008.03). DHHS holds emergency power to issue an order without prior notice or hearing - including an immediate prohibition on the care of children - when an emergency requires immediate action to protect a child's physical well-being and safety; an affected person is afforded a hearing within 10 days of application (391 NAC 3-008.04). Statutory basis: Child Care Licensing Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. ss 71-1908 to 71-1923. ALL VERIFIED VERBATIM against the official 391 NAC 3 PDF.
Nebraska childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Nebraska administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit - Children's Services Licensing (Child Care Centers) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.