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Child Care Centers
**NEW** RESOURCE GUIDE FOR INDIVIDUALS HOSTING AND FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN INSTRUCTIONAL LEARNING PODS
The Environmental Health Division monitors the safe and healthy operation of licensed child care centers. Regular inspections are conducted to insure compliance with state regulations. Other services include complaint investigation and technical consulting to improve child care facility construction and operation.
We inspect child care centers to ensure compliance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) child care center sanitation regulations (141 KB, PDF file) enacted to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases and to ensure a safe physical environment.
We evaluate the preparation and service of food, sanitation and general housekeeping, and disease and injury control measures in place within the child care center.
Are home day care operations inspected by the Health Department?
No. Family child care homes that care for fewer than seven children in a place of residence, and family foster homes are not required to have health department inspections.
What kinds of child care operations does the Health Department inspect?
The health department inspects child care operations that provide care for seven or more children or provide 24-hour care for children. These operations include large child care centers, preschools, before and after school programs, day camps, seasonal children’s camps, residential child care facilities, group homes and day treatment centers.
How do I open a child care operation?
To learn more about opening/operating a child care operation, contact the Colorado Department of Human Services at 303-866-5958, or visit their website.
Approval from the Health Department, Fire Department, Building Department, and Planning and Zoning Department will be required. For new child care operations, plans should be submitted to the Delta County Environmental Health Division for review to ensure compliance with regulations.