Child care violations, explained
When a state inspects a child care provider, any rule it cites goes on the public record. The wording is often technical, so we group the most common violations into 16 plain-English themes. For each: what it means, a question you can ask on a tour, and — if you run a program — a concrete step to do better. This is education, not a rating; the official state record always controls.
See these themes on a provider's own record when you search a center, or read the guide to reading a licensing record.
Background checks
Every adult with access to children must pass a criminal-history and abuse-registry check before working.
Ask on a tour: “Are all staff AND volunteers cleared before any contact with children?”
Providers: Never let an uncleared adult work unsupervised; keep clearance dates on file.
Infant safe sleep
Infants must sleep on their backs in a safe, bare crib — the core SIDS-prevention rules.
Ask on a tour: “Can I see the infant sleep room and your written safe-sleep policy?”
Providers: Bare cribs, back-sleeping, and documented safe-sleep training for every infant-room staffer.
Staff-to-child ratios & capacity
A minimum number of adults per child by age group, and staying within licensed capacity.
Ask on a tour: “What's the ratio for my child's exact age, and how is it kept at drop-off, nap, and pickup?”
Providers: Ratios slip hardest during transitions — count name-to-face at every one.
Supervision & attendance
Children must be actively watched — within sight and sound — and signed in and out.
Ask on a tour: “How are children counted and watched during outdoor play and transitions?”
Providers: Do a name-to-face headcount at every transition and log it.
Health services & records
Current child health and immunization records, and required health-related services.
Ask on a tour: “How do you track immunization and health-record due dates?”
Providers: Usually paperwork, not a safety event — audit files quarterly.
Medication handling
Medicine must be authorized, stored safely, and logged when given.
Ask on a tour: “How are prescription and emergency meds (like an EpiPen) stored and given?”
Providers: Require written authorization and keep a medication log.
Staff training & qualifications
Staff must meet personnel requirements and complete health, safety, CPR and first-aid training.
Ask on a tour: “Are my child's teachers CPR and first-aid certified?”
Providers: Track training hours and expiration dates per staff member.
Lead, water & environment
Facilities must test water for lead and control environmental hazards.
Ask on a tour: “Has the water been tested for lead?”
Providers: Keep lead/water test results on file and remediate promptly.
Fire & emergency safety
Working alarms and extinguishers, clear exits, and practiced evacuation and disaster drills.
Ask on a tour: “How often do you run fire and emergency drills?”
Providers: Log every drill; keep alarms and extinguishers current.
Hygiene & sanitation
Handwashing, diapering, and cleaning routines that stop illness from spreading.
Ask on a tour: “What are your handwashing and diapering procedures?”
Providers: Post the routines and follow them at every diaper change and meal.
Nutrition & food safety
Safe food handling, allergy protocols, and adequate nutrition.
Ask on a tour: “How are food allergies identified and handled?”
Providers: Keep an allergy plan on file for each child.
Physical space & equipment
Safe, well-maintained indoor and outdoor buildings, grounds, and equipment.
Ask on a tour: “Can I walk the playground? How often is equipment inspected?”
Providers: Inspect indoor/outdoor space and equipment on a schedule and document it.
Children's rights & dignity
Children must be treated with dignity and be free from corporal punishment or improper discipline.
Ask on a tour: “What is your discipline policy?”
Providers: No corporal punishment; train all staff on children's personal rights.
Programming & activities
Age-appropriate activities, napping arrangements, and developmental programming.
Ask on a tour: “Can I see a daily schedule?”
Providers: Plan and post age-appropriate activities for each age group.
Abuse / maltreatment
Any indication of harm to a child — the most serious category.
Ask on a tour: “If any record exists here, ask directly and read the official document closely.”
Providers: Mandatory-reporter training for all staff; zero tolerance.
Recordkeeping & administration
Required records, postings, and reports kept current.
Ask on a tour: “How do you stay current on required records and postings?”
Providers: Keep a compliance calendar for renewals, postings, and reports.
Childcare Alerts is an independent service that surfaces public child care licensing records. A cited violation reflects what an inspector found on one day; many are corrected quickly, and the official state record — linked on every provider's page — always controls. Absence of a record is not a guarantee of safety.