Frequently Asked Questions

Child Care Services
PO BOX 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125

Phone: (405) 521-3561
Toll-Free: 844-834-8314
Fax: 405-522-2564
Email: Childcare.OCCS@okdhs.org

Provider Information

What to expect from your Licensing Specialist

Child Care Licensing Specialists are here to help you succeed in your child care business, but also to ensure you meet state licensing requirements.

Licensing specialists will also:

Visit licensed child care facilities three times a year to monitor their compliance with state licensing requirements
Consult with child care staff on how to meet requirements
Offer free training to caregivers on providing quality child care
Inform prospective owners and operators about licensing requirements for starting child care facilities
Work with parent, child care providers and other agencies and organizations to advocate for quality child care.

To get more information about what you can expect, contact your local licensing specialist.

Print this checklist and take it with you when you visit child care programs. It will help you notice important things about the place where your children will spend their days.

Basics

		Question
YES	NO	Is the program approved as a one, one star plus, two or three stars program by OKDHS?
YES	NO	Are there enough teachers to respond to my children's needs?
YES	NO	Is the caregiver trained and experienced?

The Place

		Question
YES	NO	Are there different places for different activities?
YES	NO	Is the outdoor play area safe and interesting?
YES	NO	Do I hear happy children's voices?

Do the Caregivers ...

		Question
YES	NO	Seem patient with children and responsive to their needs?
YES	NO	Enjoy playing and talking with children?
YES	NO	Answer my questions?

Activities

		Question
YES	NO	Is there quiet and active, inside and outside play time?
YES	NO	Are toys and other materials available for my child to use?
YES	NO	Is there no or very limited TV time?

Parent's Role

		Question
YES	NO	Can I visit my child's class at any time?

Abuse & Neglect— If you Suspect it, Report it!

Report Child Abuse and Neglect:
1-800-522-3511

Report Human Trafficking:
1-855-617-2288

Child Care Locator

Use the Child Care Locator/Summary of Program Monitoring to view a summary of program monitoring reports for your a child care program or to search for quality child care in Oklahoma. View the Child Care Locator Fact Sheet.

For Additional Assistance in locating Child Care, contact: Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness.

Last Modified on Apr 16, 2025