Child Care
Children's Intake
616 America Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 218-333-8245
email
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Monday through Friday
DHS Licensing Lookup - Locate a Child Care Provider
Child Care Licensing in Beltrami County
Beltrami County accepts and processes applications for licensure as a child care provider including inspections, home studies and background checks, and evaluations of prospective licensees.
Beltrami County Health and Human Services makes recommendations to the Department of Human Services regarding initial or renewal licensure and negative licensing actions such as revocation or suspension.
Steps to Becoming a Licensed Child Care Provider
- Read the MN Department of Human Services Guide
- Contact a licensor to obtain an information packet and schedule an orientation. Application paperwork will be provided to you at the orientation
- Complete and return the application packet with the licensing fee to start the process
- A licensor will contact you if additional information is needed or following clearance of background studies to schedule your initial home visit
- Fire inspection (if triggers exist)
- Well Water Test for private wells
- Subsequent home visits if needed
- Special Use Permits based on municipality (if applicable)
- Fees for services can be found on the County Fee Schedule
Applicants will need to show documentation the following training has been completed prior to licensure:
- First Aid Training
- Infant / Child CPR Training
- Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
- Abusive Head Trauma
- Developmentally Appropriate Behavior Guidance (4 hour class)
- Supervising for Safety (6 hour in person class or 8 hour online class)
- Child Passenger Restraint Systems Training (required prior to transporting children)
Upon the completion of all paperwork, all background studies, 3 references on file and the home in total compliance, a license may be issued to you. Average initial license time is 3 to 4 months.
Rules
The State of Minnesota regulates the licensed family child care. Current laws are listed here:
Child Care Rule (Minnesota Statute 9502)
Licensing Act (Minnesota Statue 245A.04)
Resources
Food Program
Food costs can be reimbursed to providers that serve healthy meals and snacks. Contact these organizations for more details.
Other Resources
Child Care Aware of Minnesota: supports the professional growth of child care providers by offering trainings, guidance and grants (including start up grants).
Develop: connects providers to trainings and tracks their training progress.
First Children's Finance: provides loans and business development assistance to high-quality child care businesses serving low and moderate income families.
Center for Inclusive Child Care: provides free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including support, training, modeling and resources to child care programs throughout Minnesota.
Tom Copeland's Blog: has tax and legal articles specific to Licensed Child Care Providers.
The book First Considerations in Starting a Family Child Care Business is available at no charge by contacting:
Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development
1st National Bank Building
332 Minnesota St., Suite E200
St. Paul, MN 55101-1351
651-556-8425 or 800-310-8323
Northwest Minnesota Foundation: provides funding for organizations working to improve child care quality or child care availability. NMF has developed three potential funding areas that applicants can use to determine if they are eligible for funding: Child Care Availability & Quality, Early Childhood Education, and High School Child Care Careers (Workforce Development).
Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAPLP): Connects child care providers with resources to start up or grow their program through grant funding, quality coaching, professional development and early learning scholarships.