DHHS Internet Website - Public Health

Preschools

Preschools are programs that provide primarily educational services where children do not nap and are not fed a meal. Preschools can be located in the residence of the licensee or in any other approved location. Preschools that are operated by a school system are not required to be licensed.

 

Applying for a License           Initial Licensure/Provisional License           Operating License Changes in the License Forms Inspections License Fees

License Lookup Orientation Training Prior to Hire Background Checks Rules and Regulations/Statutes CPR/First Aid

Change of Ownership of an Existing Child Care Program

 

Initial Licensure/Provisional License

Instructions for Applying for a Provisional License

Once the Department receives the approval, conducts the pre-licensing inspection and verifies compliance with all regulations, a provisional license will be issued. Provisional licenses are issued to all newly licensed preschools for the first year of operation. This license may be extended for one six month period.

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Applying for an Operating License

Once a preschool completes their provisional license year and are in compliance with all regulations, they must apply for an non-expiring operating license if they wish to continue to provide preschool services. In order to receive an operating the license, the licensee must apply for an operating license. Licensees will receive written notice 90 days prior to their expiration of their provisional license.

Instructions for Applying for an Operating License

Once a non-expiring license is issued, the licensee will not need to renew the Preschool license. The license will remain in effect until the program closes or the Department revokes the license due to serious violation of regulations. Licensees, however, need to send in appropriate license fees each year to maintain the operating license.

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Changes in the License
If you have a change in one or a combination of days, hours, ages, name, capacity
If you have a change in location
If you have a change in director

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Forms

Application
Health Information Report
Felony/Misdemeanor Statement
Full Disclosure of Ownership Statement
Prior to Hire Release of Information
Independent Study Documentation Form
Children's Records
Child Care Licensing Health Information Report
Lawful Presence Attestation

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Orientation Training

Before a provisional license can be issued, preschool directors must complete Orientation Training developed by the Department. The training consists of a video that describes licensing regulations and written materials. Directors may obtain this training by contacting their Child Care Resource Specialist.

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Licensee Fees

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Inspections

Preschools are required to have pre-licensing inspections before they can begin operation. Nebraska law also requires the Department to make at least one unannounced inspection to all preschools that have acapacity of less than 30 and two unnacounced inspections to programs who are licensed for 30 or more two times each year. Other visits conducted to preschools include:

1. Complaint investigations (these are unannounced)
2. Change of location
3. Consultation/Technical Assistance (these are scheduled and conducted only at the request of the provider)

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Requesting Prior to Hire Background Checks

Child Care and Preschool regulations require Directors to have background checks conducted on both the Nebraska Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect and the Adult Protective Services Central Registry before a staff person is hired. Directors can use the following steps to request the checks be completed:

1. The completed release of information form must be forwarded to the Department in order to have the background checks completed. Requests for background checks can be mailed or FAX to:

Children's Services Licensing
Department of Health & Human Services
Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
FAX (402) 471-7763

2. In response to requests, the Department will conduct the background checks and notify programs, in writing, if the person’s name appears. If the name of the applicant does not appear you will receive the completed form with "No Report Found" indicated.
3. When submitting completed Release of Information forms by mail, please include a self-addressed envelope with your requests. One envelope per mailing is sufficient if all forms will fit in the envelope to be returned to you.

Please remember that all information you receive from the registries is confidential!

Frequently Asked Questions the Nebraska Child Abuse and Neglect and Nebraska Adult Protective Services Central Registries

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Rules and Regulations/Statutes

391 NAC 1 Administration
391 NAC 2 Child Care Licensure
391 NAC 3 License Issuance Process
391 NAC 4 Negative Licensure Actions
391 NAC 5 Policies
391 NAC 9 Preschools

Statutes relating to Child Care Licensure

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