Child Care Facilities

Child care facilities in Clackamas County must be licensed and regularly inspected. They are classified as either certified family child care homes or certified child care centers.

Certified Family Child Care Homes

• The child care business is in a single family home, usually the provider’s home. Provider may hire assistant(s).
• A maximum number of 12 children are allowed in care. Children may be any age, as long as the appropriate staff/child ratio is met.
• Clackamas County Environmental Health must inspect and approve home prior to children being in care and reinspect annually.
• The provider, all residents, staff, substitutes and frequent visitors over 18 years of age must be enrolled in the Clackamas County’s Criminal History Registry.

Certified Child Care Centers

• The child care business is in a facility that has met zoning, occupancy and building code requirements, usually a commercial building.
• Maximum number of children depends on square footage of building, number of qualified staff and various other factors. Center’s certification from Clackamas County will reflect maximum number of children allowed in facility.
• ClackamasCounty Environmental Health and Fire Department must inspect and approve facility prior to children being in care and reinspect annually.
• All staff over the age of 18 must be enrolled in Clackamas County’s Criminal History Registry.