Wyoming Childcare Licensing Requirements (2026)

Wyoming 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 049-11 Wyo. Code R. (DFS Child Care Licensing Rules, Ch. 11, eff. April 2026) Section 5(b)(i) — Policies and Procedures (administrative policies including fees, payment schedules, and hours of operation); ratios maintained 'during all hours of operation' per Ch. 11 Section 2(b)(i).

049-11 Wyo. Code R. (DFS Child Care Licensing Rules, Ch. 11, eff. April 2026) Section 5(b)(i) — Policies and Procedures (administrative policies including fees, payment schedules, and hours of operation); ratios maintained 'during all hours of operation' per Ch. 11 Section 2(b)(i)

Wyoming 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 049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 20 — Discipline, Guidance and Interactions with Children (written guidance/discipline policy Section 20(a); 'time out' Section 20(b); prohibited behaviors Section 20(c); expulsion/suspension limits Section 20(a)(i)(D)); see also Section 21 Emergency Safety Interventions (physical restraint).

049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 20 — Discipline, Guidance and Interactions with Children (written guidance/discipline policy Section 20(a); 'time out' Section 20(b); prohibited behaviors Section 20(c); expulsion/suspension limits Section 20(a)(i)(D)); see also Section 21 Emergency Safety Interventions (physical restraint)

Wyoming childcare centers must include a written Illness and Exclusion Policy section in the parent handbook (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per 049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 16(b) — Health: Disease Control (exclusion of ill children/staff Section 16(b)(iii)-(vi); communicable-disease criteria per WDH Reportable Disease and Condition List).

049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 16(b) — Health: Disease Control (exclusion of ill children/staff Section 16(b)(iii)-(vi); communicable-disease criteria per WDH Reportable Disease and Condition List)

Wyoming 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 049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 17 — Medication Administration.

049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 17 — Medication Administration

Wyoming childcare centers must include a written Emergency Procedures section in the parent handbook (Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.) per 049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 18 — Emergency Preparedness (guidelines/procedures incl. evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place, lockdown Section 18(b); drills Section 18(c)); fire standards in Ch. 9 (Family Child Care Home – Residential) and Ch. 10 (Centers – Group E).

049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 18 — Emergency Preparedness (guidelines/procedures incl. evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place, lockdown Section 18(b); drills Section 18(c)); fire standards in Ch. 9 (Family Child Care Home – Residential) and Ch. 10 (Centers – Group E)

Wyoming 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 049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 9(a) (access to children / release only to authorized persons, Section 9(a)(iii)) & Section 9(b)(i)(A) (immediate notification when a school-age child does not arrive as scheduled); attendance with arrival/departure times recorded under Section 6(b)(i).

049-11 Wyo. Code R. (Ch. 11) Section 9(a) (access to children / release only to authorized persons, Section 9(a)(iii)) & Section 9(b)(i)(A) (immediate notification when a school-age child does not arrive as scheduled); attendance with arrival/departure times recorded under Section 6(b)(i)

Which agency regulates childcare licensing in Wyoming?

Childcare licensing in Wyoming is regulated by the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), Child Care Licensing. Official licensing information is published at https://dfs.wyo.gov/providers/child-care-2/licensing-rules/.

How many handbook policy sections does Wyoming require?

Wyoming 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 Wyoming inspect licensed childcare centers?

A minimum of 2 licensing inspections per facility per year — one annual unannounced and one annual announced (Ch. 2 Section 5(a); confirmed by the DFS Child Care Licensing FAQ: 'a minimum of 2 visits to each facility per year. One visit is unannounced and one visit is scheduled'). Additional scheduled or unscheduled visits may occur for compliance monitoring, technical assistance, complaint investigation, or follow-up (Ch. 2 Section 5(b),(d)). Annual fire, food-safety, and health/sanitation inspections are also required (Ch. 2 Section 5(c)). Statutory right of entry/inspection: W.S. § 14-4-107. Licenses are renewed periodically with a renewal fee due upon expiration of the current license (Ch. 2 Section 9(b); statute frames continuation fees as due on the anniversary date per W.S. § 14-4-104(e)).

What happens if a Wyoming center is out of compliance?

Operating a child caring facility without certification is a misdemeanor under W.S. § 14-4-111: a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $200.00 for each offense, with each day of operation without certification a separate offense. For certified/licensed facilities that violate the rules, DFS may suspend, refuse to renew, or revoke under W.S. § 14-4-108(a)-(b) (30 days' prior written notice with opportunity to request a hearing); if a child's life, health, or safety is in imminent danger, DFS may immediately temporarily suspend (W.S. § 14-4-108(c)). DFS may also impose interim restrictions (reduced ratios, capacity limits, additional monitoring, provisional license) for continued/willful/repeated non-compliance (Ch. 2 Section 12(e)). Denial of admission to an authorized inspector results in revocation/denial (W.S. § 14-4-107(b)). Denial/revocation/suspension procedures are detailed in Ch. 3 of the Child Care Licensing Rules.