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9.01.2026
Before You Choose Child Care: Know Your Rights, Ask Questions, and Check the Record
A quick guide for families looking for safe, licensed child care in Nevada
Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions families make during the early years. For children ages 0–5, a safe, nurturing, and well-supervised setting supports healthy growth, learning, and peace of mind for parents and caregivers. In Nevada, Child Care Licensing helps protect children by monitoring licensed child care facilities, checking compliance with state laws and regulations, offering technical assistance and training to providers, and sharing information with families.
Families have the right to look up a child care program’s licensing and complaint history. This can help you confirm whether a program is currently licensed and review inspection information, including annual visits, bi-annual visits, and complaint-related inspections. Licensed providers in Nevada receive monitoring visits, and complaint information is available online so families can make informed choices
How to Check a Child Care Program
- Go to Nevada’s child care licensing search.
- Select “Child Care Program” as the business unit type.
- If you know the name of the child care provider you want to search for, you can enter the name of the child care in the “Last Name” section. Note: It’s best to use only the first word in the facility name to filter the list. If it doesn’t come up, try different words in the name or leave that blank to search the list in alphabetical order.
- Enter your city, such as “Carson City,” and click Search.
- Review the list of currently licensed programs.
- Click “View Detail” in the Action column for the program you want to learn more about.
- Look for inspection reasons such as Annual, Bi-Annual, and Complaint to better understand the program’s record.
- Under the “Statement of Deficiency and Plan of Correction” section, you will be able to see dates of inspections and any findings from the inspection. Click on links in the “SOD/POC” or “Documents” columns for additional details.
What Parents and Caregivers Can Ask During a First Meeting or Orientation
- Is the program currently licensed?
- When was the most recent licensing visit?
- Have there been any complaint inspections, and what was the outcome?
- How does the program supervise infants, toddlers, and preschoolers indoors and outdoors?
- How are incidents documented and shared with families?
- What training and background check requirements do staff complete
Why This Matters
Licensing information is not just paperwork—it is a tool families can use to advocate for children’s health, safety, and well-being. Reviewing a program’s history can help you notice patterns, ask informed questions, and feel more confident about your child care choice. Child care programs are also expected to share information with families about how to view complaint information online during enrollment or registration.
Parent reminder: You do not have to wait until there is a concern to check a program’s licensing record. Looking before you enroll—and checking again from time to time—can help you stay informed and involved in your child’s care.
