Child Care Centers

Our Environmental Health staff inspects child care centers every 1-2 years, depending on the program. During health inspections, we ensure minimum health regulations are met as well as provide educational information. This helps to ensure children have a healthy environment to learn and grow in.

Tri-County Health Department does not license child care facilities. However, a passing health inspection is required by the Office of Early Childhood of the Colorado Department of Human Services in order for a child care to receive a license from Human Services or to remain in good standing.

Regulations

The current Regulations Governing the Health and Sanitation of Childcare Facilities went into effect on January 14, 2016. Health inspections are public record and can be accessed on our website below.

Additional Online Training:

Construction, Remodeling, Modification, New Buildings

Prior to the construction or remodeling for a child care center, contact your Environmental Health office. You may need to fill out a plan review packet and pay fees associated with the review and inspections.

Once construction is complete, you will need to schedule an opening inspection with a health inspector. Please plan ahead since inspectors may have varying appointment schedules or in case additional inspections are needed. Environmental Health must give approval before Human Services will issue a license.

Opening New Rooms, Room Changes, Room Additions

Contact your Environmental Health office to speak to a child care team member if you plan on opening a new room(s) for your existing program, changing from old rooms to new rooms, or adding an additional room.

 Variance Requests

If meeting minimum health and sanitation requirements presents an undue hardship on the person, facility, or the community, then you may request a deviation from the health Regulations.

For hatching chicks or for portable hand sinks, fill out these additional forms:

Disease Prevention and Illness Policies

Illness policies are required by regulations. These policies are in place to protect students and staff from the spread of illness.

Outbreak

Always keep track of illnesses on a log for both children and staff. Tracking illnesses before an outbreak occurs helps caregivers to see when a jump in numbers could indicate an outbreak. Contact Tri-County Health Department immediately to help control spread of illness.

Other important disease prevention forms:

Using Sanitizers and Disinfectants
SANITIZERS are used on food contact surfaces, toys, and other commonly handled items, such as doorknobs.

DISINFECTANTS are used in restrooms, on diaper changing tables, and to disinfect areas contaminated by bodily fluids.

Bleach as a sanitizer and disinfectant:
Follow the mixing instructions for your brand of bleach. Bleach that has a lower percentage of hypochlorite will need more bleach while mixing with water than one that has a higher percentage.

Required Radon Testing in Child Care Centers

Radon testing is required for all new and existing child care centers. As uranium breaks down naturally in our soils, it releases a gas we call radon. This gas enters buildings through cracks in the foundation. Radon gas causes cancer and it is invisible, odorless, and tasteless. It can only be detected through testing.

Animals in Child Care

Find out what animals are not allowed in your child care center and what is required for animals that visit your child care center.

Poisonous & Toxic Materials