Child Care / Day Care Permits & Licenses in Sitka, AK

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Required for all businesses operating within Anchorage city limits, including child care LLCs

Home-based day care may qualify for home occupation permit; large centers need site plan review

Child care facilities must meet commercial building codes even if home-based

Required for all child care facilities; must comply with IFC Chapter 10 for assembly occupancies

Separate from state child care license; focuses on food safety and hygiene

Applies to all businesses in FNSB; child care specifically listed as requiring license

Child care centers classified as Group E occupancy requiring annual inspections

All businesses including child care/home day care require license per CBJ 49.15

Large day cares (12+ children) require public hearing

Child care specifically requires license per MSB 6.04

Required for all LLC formation in Alaska. Annual report required separately (see below).

Applies to all LLCs. Filed online via Alaska Corporations database.

Mandatory for all child care facilities serving 1+ unrelated children for pay. Requires background checks, facility inspections, staff qualifications (15 hours training), and compliance with 7 AAC 57 standards. Provisional license available for new facilities.

Required for all owners, employees, volunteers, and substitutes in licensed child care. Renew every 5 years. Fingerprint-based FBI check mandatory.

Renews with annual report if applicable. Applies to LLCs using trade names.

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Child‑care centers that do not serve regulated food products, handle hazardous materials, operate commercial motor vehicles, or sell alcohol/tobacco are not subject to federal licensing from these agencies. State licensing remains required.

Alaska law (AS 23.25.010) requires any employer with at least one employee to maintain workers’ compensation insurance. The employer may self‑insure if approved by the Division.

Alaska Child‑Care Licensing Rule 12.03.020 requires licensed facilities to maintain liability insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.

Alaska Child‑Care Licensing Rule 12.03.030 mandates a $10,000 surety bond (or cash deposit) for certain license categories to protect families against financial loss.

Alaska law (AS 28.45.010) requires all commercial vehicles to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $50,000 for property damage.

While Alaska law does not mandate professional liability insurance for child‑care providers, the DHSS FAQ notes it is strongly recommended to protect against claims of negligence or abuse.

Only applicable if the child‑care business manufactures or sells physical products; otherwise not required.

Required only for establishments that serve alcoholic beverages. Child‑care facilities do not serve alcohol, so this insurance is not applicable.

All LLCs that have employees or that elect to be taxed as a corporation must obtain an EIN. Single‑member LLCs with no employees may use the owner's SSN for Schedule C, but obtaining an EIN is recommended.

The tax classification (disregarded, partnership, or corporation) determines which form is filed. Estimated tax payments may be required quarterly.

Renewal requires updated staff qualification documentation, a recent health inspection report, and payment of the renewal fee.

Hours must be documented and submitted with the license renewal application.

Inspection covers sanitation, food handling, immunization records, and overall child safety.

Must verify working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and an up‑to‑date evacuation plan.

All child‑care facilities must meet Alaska Building Code requirements for safety and accessibility.

Employers must also deposit taxes according to the IRS deposit schedule (monthly or semi‑weekly).

FUTA rate is 6.0 % on the first $7,000 of each employee’s wages, reduced by state UI credit.

Employers must also remit UI contributions with each filing.

LLCs taxed as partnerships file no corporate tax; instead, income passes through to members.

Alaska has no statewide sales tax; local sales taxes are administered by the respective borough or city.

Required records include daily attendance logs, staff qualifications, incident/accident reports, health and safety checks, and medication administration logs.

Required posters include Minimum Wage, OSHA, Family & Medical Leave, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Alaska-specific wage and hour notices.

Report must include total enrollment numbers, staff‑to‑child ratios, program types, and any changes in operation.

The plan must be visible to staff and children and include exit routes, assembly points, and responsibilities.

Child‑care centers are covered under OSHA’s General Industry standards (29 CFR 1910). Required elements include hazard communication, emergency exits, safe storage of cleaning chemicals, and maintaining OSHA 300 logs if applicable.

Private child‑care facilities are covered by Title III of the ADA and must provide accessible entrances, restrooms, playground equipment, and program services for children and staff with disabilities.

Federal law (Lead‑Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act) requires child‑care centers to ensure that lead‑containing paint hazards are identified and mitigated. Documentation must be retained and made available to parents upon request.

If the child‑care center maintains a website or app that gathers names, addresses, photos, or other personal data from children, it must provide a clear privacy policy, obtain verifiable parental consent, and allow parents to review/delete data.

Child‑care centers must pay at least the federal minimum wage, overtime for hours >40 per week, and maintain accurate time records. Certain employees may be exempt (e.g., qualified teachers), but verification is required.

All child‑care centers that employ staff must complete Form I‑9 for each employee and retain the forms for the required period. Participation in E‑Verify is optional but may be required by state law.