Utah child care, camp and ratio rules

Child care licensing

A child care center license is required to care for 5 or more unrelated children, for pay, away from the provider's or child's home, without the parent present, on an ongoing basis for 4 or more weeks a year (R381-100-3). An out-of-school-time license is required for programs that serve 5 or more children age 5 and older, for pay, 3 or more days a week and 30 or more days a year (R381-70-3). Home-based providers are licensed or certified separately.

After-school and recreation programs: No license is needed for care that is part of a program run by a school regulated by the state or local boards of education, or for care at a public school by an outside organization under contract with the school or with the school's oversight. Also exempt are nonprofit (501(c)(3)) programs for children over 4 and under 13 run under a written agreement with a city or county that oversees them, summer camps on federal land under a federal permit, and short, sporadic care (under 4 hours) with the parent in the building (Utah Code §26B-2-405; R430-8-4). Exempt programs must apply each year to verify their exempt status, post a notice that they are not licensed, and, except school-run programs, submit fingerprint background checks for staff (R430-8-5).

Licensing agency: Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Background Checks (DLBC), Office of Licensing - Child Care

Sources: Utah Admin. Code R381-100-10, Ratios and Group Size (LII mirror, amended eff. 5/8/2025); Utah Admin. Code R381-100-3, License Required (LII mirror); Utah Admin. Code R381-70-10, Out-of-School-Time ratios (LII mirror); Utah Code §26B-2-405, Exclusions from child care licensing (Utah Legislature); Utah Admin. Code R430-8-4, Exempt care (LII mirror)

Staff-to-child ratios in licensed centers

Rule: Utah Admin. Code R381-100-10, Table 1 (child care centers); R381-70-10 (out-of-school-time programs: 1 staff per 20 children, maximum group 40). Utah's center rule puts 5-year-olds in the 'school-age' band (5 and older), so the 5-year and school-age rows are the same. In mixed-age groups without infants or toddlers, the ratio is based on the oldest child's age group minus one child, and the maximum group size on the oldest child's age group minus two children. At least two caregivers must be present when a single group has more than 8 children. Volunteers age 16 and older may count in ratio at centers.

Work out your staffing with the ratio calculator

Summer camps

We found no state youth camp license in Utah. Camps used for temporary overnight stays must meet the state Recreation Camp Sanitation rule (R392-300), which covers water, sewer, and facilities and is enforced by the local health department. That rule does not set staffing or program standards. A day camp or other summer program that cares for 5 or more children age 5 and up, 3 or more days a week for 30 or more days a year, may need an out-of-school-time child care license unless it qualifies for an exemption, such as a summer camp on federal land under a federal permit or a nonprofit program run under a city or county agreement (R381-70-3; Utah Code §26B-2-405).

Sources: Utah Admin. Code R392-300, Recreation Camp Sanitation (LII mirror); Utah Admin. Code R381-70-3, Out-of-School-Time license required (LII mirror); Utah Code §26B-2-405 (Utah Legislature)

Background checks

Before a new staff member or other covered individual starts, the provider must confirm their eligibility in the licensing provider portal. Anyone not already cleared submits an online application and fingerprints (age 16 and older) for a check by the DHHS Office of Background Processing. The check covers criminal history, the Utah and national sex offender registries, and supported child abuse/neglect findings in the state Licensing Information System (LIS). A new check is required if the person has been away from a licensed program for more than 180 days, has lived outside Utah since the last check, or turns 18. Providers and staff must report any new arrest, charge, or finding within 48 hours (R381-100-8). License-exempt programs, except school-run ones, must also submit these checks (R430-8-5).

Sources: Utah Admin. Code R381-100-8, Background Checks (LII mirror); Utah Admin. Code R430-8-5, Background checks for exempt programs (LII mirror)

Giving medication

Parent-supplied medication must be in its original or pharmacy container, with the original label and the child's full name. A signed, dated parent permission form must list the medication, dose, times, how it is given, and the condition being treated. Medication supplied by the center needs parent consent each time it is given. Staff record the date, time, dose, and any error or reaction, and must tell the parent about errors or reactions right away. Medication must be locked or stored out of reach (48 inches up, or 36 inches if refrigerated), and records are kept for 6 weeks (R381-100-17).

Free medication administration log

Sources: Utah Admin. Code R381-100-17, Medications (LII mirror)

Reporting child abuse

Any person who has reason to believe a child is being or has been abused or neglected must immediately report it to the Division of Child and Family Services or the nearest law enforcement agency (Utah Code §80-2-602). Narrow exceptions exist for certain clergy confessions and attorney-client information.

Utah child abuse hotline: 1-855-323-3237 (1-855-323-DCFS) (how to report). In an emergency, call 911.

Sources: Utah Code §80-2-602 (Utah Legislature); Utah DCFS: Child Protective Services / Make a report; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect