Nevada child care, camp and ratio rules

Child care licensing

A state license is required to care for more than four children who are not your relatives, or for whom you are paid, under NRS and NAC Chapter 432A. License types include family homes (up to 6 children), group homes (up to 12), child care centers (13 or more), out-of-school-time programs, accommodation facilities and institutions. Cities and counties may also require business licenses or special use permits.

After-school and recreation programs: We couldn't confirm this from official sources. Ask the Nevada Division of Social Services (DSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL).

Licensing agency: Nevada Division of Social Services (DSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL)

Sources: DSS Child Care Licensing; NAC 432A.5205 staffing ratios (Cornell LII copy of the Nevada Administrative Code); DSS Child Care Licensing Reference Guide (ratio chart); DSS Child Care Facility Types; DSS Child Care Licensing FAQs

Staff-to-child ratios in licensed centers

Rule: NAC 432A.5205. These are daytime ratios (6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.) for centers. The rule's top band is '5 years of age or older'. At night, ratios are 1:6 (group of 12) under age 3 and 1:10 (group of 20) for age 3 and up. In a mixed-age group, the youngest child sets the ratio. Water activities have stricter ratios (NAC 432A.546). In effect since September 21, 2017.

Work out your staffing with the ratio calculator

Summer camps

We found no Nevada state license or permit specifically for youth day or overnight camps. 'Outdoor youth programs' are a separately licensed category under NAC 432A.630-.780, but those rules focus on clients' treatment plans and psychological oversight, not general recreation camps. A day camp serving school-age children 10 or more hours a week may count as an Out of School Time program under child care licensing, so check with DSS.

Sources: NAC Chapter 432A index, including Outdoor Youth Programs (Cornell LII); DSS Child Care Facility Types (Out of School Time)

Background checks

Every employee, and every resident or volunteer aged 18 or older (other than a parent of an enrolled child), must be fingerprinted within 24 hours of being hired or first being present, and again every five years. The state reviews criminal history and any substantiated child abuse or neglect reports (NAC 432A.200). New hires are entered in the Nevada Automated Background System (NABS). We found no state background check rule specific to camps.

Sources: NAC 432A.200 (Cornell LII); DSS Child Care Licensing FAQs (new employee requirements)

Giving medication

Prescription medicine must be in its original container with a child-proof lid, plainly labeled with the child's name and locked up or kept out of reach. Except in an emergency, only one person chosen by the licensee and trained by a health professional or the child's parent may give medication. A written record of each medication, child, date and time is kept in the child's file (NAC 432A.376).

Free medication administration log

Sources: NAC 432A.376 Medication (Cornell LII)

Reporting child abuse

Nevada lists the professionals who must report (NRS 432B.220), and child care licensees and employees must report suspected abuse or neglect under that law. If the abuse may be happening in the facility, they must also report it to the licensing division (NAC 432A.410). Report to the county child welfare agency for your area.

Nevada child abuse hotline: Clark County: 702-399-0081; Washoe County: 833-900-7233; all other counties (DCFS): 833-571-1041 (how to report). In an emergency, call 911.

Sources: Nevada DCFS, Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect; NAC 432A.410 (Cornell LII); Child Welfare Information Gateway, Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (current through May 2023)