Child Care Regulation
Critical updates

COVID-19: New protocols

Our mission to ensure the health and safety of the children of Texas has been steadfast in the wake of the global pandemic, COVID-19.

Across the state, Child Care Regulation, along with other state and local agencies, have shifted our regular duties in order to focus on being a resource for our communities and child care providers during this time of uncertainty.

Child care providers are the real heroes in this story. You have been there to support Texas’ essential workers and provide safe, loving, and consistent care to our most vulnerable Texans. That is why we want to take this opportunity to thank all child care providers who have worked relentlessly to implement additional public health precautions while continuing to serve the families in their care.

We recognize the numerous challenges this health crisis has posed to the child care industry as a whole. Child Care Regulation is dedicated to continued collaboration with other state agencies, government officials, and providers in order to balance public health needs, business needs, and family needs.

On May 18, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-23, which allows child day care providers, except those in Deaf Smith, El Paso, Moore, Potter, and Randall County, to resume providing care to children of all families, not just children of essential workers. The Governor also introduced health protocols for child care operations that are reopening, Open Texas Checklist for Child Care Operations to protect the children, the child care staff, and families.

In addition to adhering to the Open Texas Checklist, you should continue to work with your local public health entities, be proactive with your health policies, and continue to follow health and safety guidance provided by the CDC and Department of State Health Services.

To continue receiving the most up-to-date communications, you should ensure your child care operation’s email address and contact information is current by logging onto your online Child Care Regulation Provider Account or by contacting your licensing inspector.

If there is a change in your operation’s operating status and you make business decisions on when to reopen, you need to complete the Emergency Response Survey, in order to notify Child Care Regulation of your operating status.

From our Child Care Regulation family to yours, thank you again for all your dedication and hard work in supporting the children and families of Texas.

The state of Texas is strong; our people, resilient.

As we have seen in years past, when tested by fire, flood, or hurricane, Texans respond with resilience and calm resolve. And just as we overcame those challenges, we will overcome this one.

When neighbors help neighbors, our resilience is redoubled.

I have no doubt that Texans will continue to work together in that spirit over the coming days and weeks.

And we are here to help.

Governor Greg Abbott

Our new name
You may have noticed a change recently in our correspondence or department signatures. Child Care Licensing has now become Child Care Regulation (CCR).

While Child Care Licensing has been our name for many years, it really describes only part of what we do. We believe the name Child Care Regulation captures a better perspective of our duties and other elements of our program.

The name change also makes our name consistent with other regulatory agencies in Health and Human Services in Texas.

As you know, the Child Care Licensing name is everywhere. It may take a little while to get used to, but you can help us by adopting this name change and using it in place of Child Care Licensing.

New online fee payment system
On Feb. 23, 2020, Child Care Regulation implemented an online fee payment system. This system generates invoices for Child Care Regulation fees, including annual fees, administrative penalties, and background checks and allows you to make and track your payments online using your Child Care Regulation account.

Your operation will now receive an invoice on a quarterly basis, based on the number of background checks you requested.

With the new system, you may pay by credit card or electronic check.

We have provided two short videos on the Child Care Account Registration and Login page where you may learn all about the new payment system.

If you need any assistance or have additional questions, feel free to contact your operation’s licensing representative or your local Licensing office.

Technical Assistance Library updates
Technical Assistance is the provision of information or advice to a child care operation to help comply with, maintain, or more effectively meet minimum standards and achieve program excellence.

New items related to standards changes and helpful tips have been added to the Child Care Regulation Technical Assistance Library. Providers and parents can search a wide variety of informational topics from handwashing to creating fun, indoor activities. All are free to download.

We encourage everyone to visit the Technical Assistance Library often as more and more items will be added.

If you wish to suggest a topic or need any assistance with downloading the information, feel free to contact msc@hhsc.state.tx.us.

COVID-19: Get the latest updates
The situation regarding COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. In an effort to give you the most current guidance and directives as it becomes available, we will email news and guidance directly to the contact address on file.

In addition, the guidance also appears under the News & Alerts section of our Child Care Provider page.

To get all the latest information, updates, and alerts from Child Care Regulation, visit: https://hhs.texas.gov/doing-business-hhs/provider-portals/protective-services-providers/child-care-licensing.

To contact Child Care Regulation or your local office, visit: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/safety/child-care/contact-child-care-licensing.

You may also reach Child Care Regulation by email: CCLQuestions@hhsc.state.tx.us.

These resources can help
These resources can assist you in your efforts to maintain a healthy environment and implement social distancing in child care facilities when possible.

Office of the Texas Governor
Governor Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas
Child Care Centers (Minimum Standards protocols)
Child Care Families (a checklist)

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Informational Page 
CDC Guidelines (for child care programs)
CDC Supplemental Guidance (for open child care programs)

Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
DSHS COVID-19 Informational Page 
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Local Health Entities

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
Updated Child Care Regulation Guidance for Open Day Care Operations
HHSC COVID-19 Guidance to Daycare Child Care Providers about Variances
Emergency Rule for Certain Day Care Operations in Response to COVID-19

Texas Department of Agriculture
Texas Department of Agriculture Coronavirus Updates

School Meal Finder
School Meal Finder

2-1-1 Texas
2-1-1 Texas

Texas AgriLife
Child Care and COVID-19 Courses. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is now offering online COVID-19 training courses for child care providers.