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The information provided on this page is a basic outline of Arizona Child Care requirements that pertain to the design and construction of Child Care Facilities in the State of Arizona. This information is a brief synopsis and does not include all of the detailed requirements needed to satisfy the governing authorities for Child Care Licensing, Building Code, Fire Code, Accessibility, or local Zoning. These guidelines are for general information and planning purposes. Contact the governing authority directly or engage a Licensed Architect to complete a full analysis of your school location.

ARIZONA Child Care Licensing Requirements

Child Care license obtained from:

Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Child Care Licensing 

150 North 18th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

http://www.azdhs.gov/

(602) 542-1025

License renewal is required every three years.

Indoor Space Requirements: 35 sf per child

  

Infants

1 Year 

2 Years

3 Years

4 Years

5 Years 

6+ Years

Required

Teacher:Child Ratio

1:5 or 2:11

1:6 or 2:13

1:8

1:13

1:15

1:20

1:20

Required

Max. Group Size

None

None

None

None

None

None

None

Recommended 

Classroom Capacity

11

13

16

26

30

40

40

Recommended 

Staff per Classroom

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Recommended 

Min. Classroom Area

385 sf.

455 sf.

560 sf.

910 sf.

1050 sf.

1400 sf.

1400 sf.

Outdoor Space Requirements: 75 sf per child

  • A licensee will make sure that hard surfacing materials such as asphalt or concrete are not installed or used under the swings or climbing areas
  • A licensee needs to provide a shaded area for each enrolled child outdoors
  • To have an outdoor play area, you must have the playground enclosed by at least a 4 foot tall fence, it needs to be maintained from hazards and the gate needs to be closed when the children are in the area playing.

Building Code Requirements

child care child toilet child care adult toilet child care drinking fountain child care mop sink child care bath tub

CHILD

FIXTURES

ADULT

FIXTURES

DRINKING FOUNTAINS

MOP

SINK

BATH TUB/

SHOWER

1: 15

1:50

1:100

1

1

2012 International Building Code

Fire Code Requirements

21

An applicant for a license must be 21, a USA citizen, and qualified to do business in Arizona.

30

Every room, except during nap time, needs to have at least  30 foot candles of light. 

18

Every cot or mat, needs to have a gap of at least 18 inches between them so staff can have access to each child.

2012 International Fire Code

Did you know . . .

child care playground A licensee must have a copy of every staff’s fingerprints clearance card. Child care window blinds The fire extinguisher is required to be serviced at least once every 12 months. Child care cleaning To go on a field trip the licensees needs a description of the field trip, and a written permission slip from each parent.

To access Arizona Child Care requirements along with other states please see our interactive Child Care Requirements US map here.

Research completed by Calbert Design Group, LLC.  Updated 2019