Caring for other people's children for pay in a Whatcom County home is licensed by Washington's Department of Children, Youth & Families, not the county. A family home child care serves up to 12 children and needs a state license with background checks and inspection.
Child care in Washington is regulated by the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) under WAC 110-300, so licensing rules are the same across Whatcom County. A licensed family home child care may serve not more than 12 children at a time in the provider's home, with limits by age and staffing. Getting licensed involves background checks, health, safety, and fire inspections, first aid and CPR training, and ongoing monitoring. In unincorporated Whatcom County the home must also meet county zoning and building requirements, but DCYF, not the county, decides whether the daycare may operate.
Providing licensed child care without a DCYF license, or exceeding your licensed capacity, violates state law; DCYF can impose penalties, deny or revoke the license, and act to stop an unlicensed operation.
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See how Whatcom County's home daycare rules stack up against other locations.
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