Child Care Licensing


COVID-19 and Services

Child Care Licensing will continue to serve Nevadans through the Internet during the COVID-19 outbreak and remains committed to continuing to operate at the highest standards. Although many government agencies are closed to the public, online and mail applications WILL be processed.

Important: Please note the processing times for some services may increase as agency staffs continue to struggle with the increased volume or orders and decreased staff availability. For more information about coronavirus (COVID-19), visit NVHealthResponse.nv.gov.

    General Information

    Child Care Licensing serves Nevada’s communities by ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of children in licensed child care facilities. To achieve these goals, Child Care Licensing staff monitors facility compliance with state laws and regulations, offers technical assistance and training to caregivers, and provides consumer education. Child Care Licensing also develops additional rules as needed.

      Nevada's child care licensing laws and regulations are created to promote the healthy growth, development, and protection of children; increase availability of positive and nurturing learning environments; and provide support for families by regulating and licensing high-quality, developmentally appropriate and flexible care through a wide range of care options. These goals involve mentoring and guiding child care providers to become advocates for children and family issues, as well as foster the growth and development of the provider community. In support of this vision, Child Care Licensing staff educate state legislators, local regulatory agencies and consumers so as to encourage support for improving the quality of child care environments for Nevada's children and families.

      • Child Care Licensing Public Service Announcement

      Find a Licensed Child Care Facility

      The database containing all current child care facilities licensed by the state of Nevada can be found by typing findchildcare.nv.gov into your web browser address bar. At this page, select "Child Care Program" from the "Business Unit" drop-down menu at the top left. Then select "Agency" from the "Entity Type" drop-down menu at the top right. If you click "Search" the results will include all licensed facilities in Nevada. To search by city, ZIP code or county, click "Address Information" and enter the geographic region and then click "Search."

      • Child care facilities located in Washoe County, Nev., are licensed by the Washoe County Department of Social Services. State child care licensing has no jurisdiction over these facilities. Click the link below for more information.

      Silver State Stars Nevada QRIS: Silver State Stars Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS) is a voluntary program through the Nevada Department of Education open to all child care centers in Nevada. The QRIS is a systemic approach to improve and assess the level of quality in child care centers. The QRIS also helps families find high-quality child care that fits their needs and the needs of their children. There is no cost to centers or their families. Click the link below to search for ratings on facilities in your area of Nevada.

      Capacity, Complaint, Fatality Data

      Child Care Licensing also creates monthly reports detailing child care capacity statewide, broken down by county and city. To view reports, visit the Nevada Licensed Child Care Facility Capacity Reports web page.

        Subsidized Child Care - Las Vegas Urban League and Children's Cabinet

        The Las Vegas Urban League establishes programs and support policies that address social and economic issues faced by low-income and minority residents of Clark County and its outlying areas.

        The Children’s Cabinet provides services and resources that address unmet needs through a unique and effective cooperative effort between the private sector and public agencies.

        Child Care Facility Types Defined

        Follow this link to read definitions of the types of child care facilities regulated under Nevada law.

          Open and Operate a Child Care Facility

          Follow this link for the process to open a child care facility in Nevada. If you already operate a child care facility, you'll find forms and online renewal information.

          Child Care Advisory Council

          Visit this page for information about what the Child Care Advisory Council (CCAC) does, its members, bylaws and meetings.

            Partners

            Visit our Partners page for a list of links to other agencies throughout Nevada that also play a role in overseeing the health, safety and well-being of children at licensed facilities.