FAQ for ECE Administrators
Licensing is a requirement for most early childhood programs and is conducted by the Arizona Department of Health Services
- Child Care Facilities Licensing
- Child Care Provider Applications
- Starting a Child Care Center
- New Facility Readiness Checklist Guide
| Age Group | High Quality Program Guidelines | Licensing Requirements |
| Infants | 1:4 No more than 8 per group | 1:5 or 2:11 |
| 1-year-old children | 1:5 No more than 10 per group | 1:6 or 2:13 |
| 2-year-old children | 1:6 No more than 12 per group | 1:8 |
| 3-year-old children | 1:9 No more than 18 per group | 1:13 |
| 4-year-old children | 1:10 No more than 18 per group | 1:13 |
5-year-old children (not school-age) | 1:10 No more than 20 per group | 1:20 |
| School-age children | No more than 20 per group | 1:20 |
| Source: | Program Guidelines for High Quality Early Education: Birth through Kindergarten Program Guidelines 1.3.a (pg. 10) | Arizona Administrative Code & Arizona Revised Statutes for Child Care Facilities R9-5-404 (pg. 29) |
Arizona ECE Funding Manual:
- Supporting & Sustaining Early Learning: Funding Options for Early Childhood Education in Arizona
- Provides an overview of Federal, State & Local funding sources for early childhood education programs in Arizona.
- Allowable/disallowable costs are highlighted for each funding source
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) oversees certification of family child care providers to care for up to four children in their home.
The Arizona Department of Education does not endorse or recommend a specific curriculum or program philosophy as those decisions are solely determined by districts and/or program administrators. It is recommended that programs focus on choosing a research-based curriculum for early education programs and implementing approved standards.
- Arizona ECE Standards:
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meal reimbursement program helping Child Care Centers and Family Day Care Homes (FDCHs) provide well-balanced, healthy, and nutritious meals and snacks served to eligible enrolled children.
A variety of public or private nonprofit child care centers and Head Start programs that are licensed or approved to provide child care services participate in CACFP. For-profit centers that serve lower-income children may also be eligible to participate.
