Louisiana State Requirements

Qualifications:
Staff: Must be at least 18 years old.

Provider/Child Ratio:
Age Range     Ratios for Center Based Care in Louisiana State
6 weeks     (1:6)
9 months     (1:6)
18 months     (1:8)
27 months     (1:12)
3 years     (1:14)
4 years     (1:16)
5 years     (1:20)
6 years - Schoolage     (1:25)
Mixed age group     average ratio observed as long as no children under 2 years old are present
Mixed age group:     ratio for youngest child in group

Age Range     Ratios for Louisiana Small Family Child Care
Number of Children Allowed:     Not licensed (voluntary registration)
       
Age Range     Ratios for Louisiana Large Family Child Care
Number of Children Allowed:     Not licensed

Annual Care Facility Licensing Fees
All fees are to be paid by certified check or money order made payable to the Department of Social Services. Do NOT send cash, business or personal checks.

Child Day Care Center

15 or fewer children - $ 25
16-50 children - $ 100
51-100 children - $ 175
101 or more children - $ 250

   

Child Residential Facility Center

4-6 beds - $ 400
7-15 beds - $ 500
16 or more beds - $ 600

 
A Child Day Care Center - any place or facility operated by any institution, society, agency, corporation, person or persons, or any other group for the primary purpose of providing care, supervision, and guidance of 7 or more children, not including those related to the caregiver, unaccompanied by parent or guardian, on a regular basis for at least 12 1/2 hours in a continuous 7-day week. Related or relative is defined as the natural or adopted child or grandchild of the caregiver or a child in the legal custody of the caregiver.
Child Residential Facility - any place, facility or home operated by any institution, society, agency, corporation, person or persons or any other group to provide full-time care (24 hour residential care) for 4 or more children under the age of 18 years who are not related to the operators, and whose parents or guardians are not residents of the same facility, with or without transfer of custody.
Once completed the completed Louisiana Application Form should be submitted to:

Department of Social Services
Bureau of Licensing
P.O. Box 3078
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: (225) 342-9905
FAX: (225) 342-9690

Initial Applications:
For initial applications, a fee of $25.00 is required with the application form. This non-refundable fee will be applied toward the license fee when the facility is licensed. All fees are to be paid by certified check or money order made payable to the Department of Social Services. Do NOT send cash, business or personal checks.

After the completed application has been received by OFS, it will request that inspections be made by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Office of Public Health, Sanitarian Services, and any other appropriate local agencies (Zoning Department, City Fire Department, etc.). Even though OFS makes these requests, it is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain the inspections and get the approvals.

After the application form and initial fee have been received and processed, you will be contacted by OFS to schedule the initial inspection survey by a Licensing Specialist. All of the appropriate agencies listed above must give their approval prior to licensure and occupancy. Any additional licensure fees are due after the initial survey and prior to issuance of a license.

Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Louisiana Department of Social Services
Bureau of Licensing
P.O. Box 3078
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3078
Phone: 225-342-9905
Fax: (225) 342-9690

Child Care Subsidy Agency
Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education
Louisiana Department of Social Services
Office of Family Support
P.O. Box 94065
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9065
Phone: (225) 342-0694
Fax: (225)219-4248

Head Start - State Collaboration Office
755 N 3rd Street, Room 328
Baton Rouge, LA, 70802
Phone: (225) 219-4246
Fax: (225) 219-4248

Child Care Food Program Agency
Division of Nutrition Assistance
Louisiana Department of Education
Post Office Box 94064
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9064
Phone: (225) 342-3720 or (800) 453-2721
Fax: (225) 342-3305

State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Louisiana Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
6966 Menlo Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 769-5465
Toll Free: (866) 600-2772
Fax: (225) 769-5465

Office of Child Support Enforcement
Office of Family Support
Support Enforcement Services Division
P.O.Box 94065
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804
Phone: (225) 342-4780
Fax: (225) 342-7397