DC childcare centers must meet OSSE licensing rules, DCRA Certificate of Occupancy requirements, fire inspections, and lead and IPM standards before operating, with stricter ratios and exit requirements than ordinary residential or office uses.
Childcare in DC is licensed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) under DCMR Title 5-A Chapter 1. Buildings need a child-development Certificate of Occupancy from DCRA. DC Fire/EMS inspects egress, alarms, and sprinklers; centers occupying basements require dedicated egress windows or doors. Lead-safe certification under DC Code 8-231.01 is mandatory for any pre-1978 building. Indoor pesticide use is restricted by IPM rules. Outdoor play space must meet defined square footage, and infant rooms require sinks for diapering. Background checks and CPR certification supplement physical-plant rules.
Operating without OSSE license: 5,000 to 10,000 dollars; uncorrected fire-code or lead violations: closure orders; failure to provide outdoor play space: license suspension.
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