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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 Health Inspections webpage.
Online Regulation Training
Support for Child Care Leaders and Staff during COVID-19
Our Child Care Task Force is working with child care programs in providing COVID-19 support and resources. Contact EHChildcare@tchd.org for programs in Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas Counties. Continue to refer back to this page for updated information as things change often.
Update Illness Policies
Updating your illness policies to include new COVID-19 guidance will ensure that your facility is ready to respond appropriately if you have a COVID-19 positive individual or if a child or teacher is associated with someone outside your facility that is ill. Continue to refer to the Cases and Outbreak Guidance in Child Care and Schools to help guide decisions regarding COVID-19.
Illnesses at Your Facility
Use an illness log to help keep track of sick people and their symptoms. If you have a case or suspect an outbreak is occurring at your facility, complete the form for School and Childcare Case and Outbreak Reporting. After submitting the Case and Outbreak Reporting form, we will reach out to you to assist you with the response.
Watch Recorded Webinars
These are school specific, but they highlight important topics related to COVID-19 response efforts, like how to use the outbreak guidance.
Routine Inspections During COVID-19
Routine inspections were put on hold while COVID-19 response efforts were ramping up. We currently have a very limited capacity available to conduct routine inspections. Human Service partners are aware of this and are working with us to provide a list of places that have expired health inspections. We are reaching out to facilities to schedule virtual inspections for the child care programs located in our three counties. Below are some links to help you prepare for your inspection.
Other Inspections During COVID-19
Submit Plan Before Any Construction Begins for New Buildings and Remodeled Facilities
All new programs must submit the Child Care Plan Review Packet. The plan review packet for new construction or remodeling must be completed and submitted to this department for approval before any construction begins. Programs must pay all fees associated with the review and inspections.
- Child Care Plan Review Packet for Remodels and New Builds
- CDPHE Approval of New and Relocated Child Care Operations during COVID-19
- Spanish
- EPA Lead Inspection
- EPA Asbestos Inspection
Opening Inspections
Once construction is complete, email EHChildcare@tchd.org to schedule an opening inspection. The number of inspectors and their availability is limited. Plan ahead by providing plenty of time to get an opening inspection scheduled and completed. Opening inspections for newly constructed/ remodeled buildings are being done remotely unless major issues or concerns are identified. Our Environmental Health team must give approval before Human Services will issue a license.
Room Addition and Room Change Inspections
Contact EHChildcare@tchd.org if you plan on opening new room(s) for your existing program, changing from old rooms to new rooms, or adding an additional room. These inspections are being done remotely unless major issues or concerns are identified.
Child Care FAQs and Guidance During COVID-19
- TCHD FAQs
- COVID-19 Cleaners (not all of these would be allowed for use in child care, check with EHChildcare@tchd.org before buying); EPA
- Types of Face Masks; CDC
- Face Covering Guidance; CDPHE
- Spanish; CDPHE
- Consultants or In-Person Visits; Office of Early Childhood
- HVAC Systems Video; Boulder County PAC
- HVAC Guidance; CDPHE
- Wildfires; CDPHE
- Cleaning Playgrounds; CDC
Other Partner Resources During COVID-19
- A Resource Guide For Child Care Providers During COVID-19; CDHS
- Child Care Programs That Remain Open; CDC
- Schools, workplaces, and community; CDPHE
- Learning Pods; Office of Early Childhood
- Colorado Office of Early Childhood COVID-19 FAQs
- Register your program's status; Colorado Shines
- Emergency Feeding; Colorado Department of Education
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 the spread of illness.
Other important disease prevention resources
Using Sanitizers and Disinfectants
| Sanitizers | Disinfectants |
|---|---|
| Used on food contact surfaces, toys, and other commonly handled items, such as doorknobs | 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.
- Test each mixture daily.
- Bleach sanitizer concentration should be 50-200ppm.
- Bleach disinfectant concentration will vary depending on which brand of bleach you use. Read the label to determine the right amount.
- How to Mix Bleach Sanitizers & Disinfectants
- Calculator: Amount of Bleach to Add to Water
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
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: