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Licensing Crosswalk and Comparison Study

In 2024, we reviewed and compared the laws, rules, and policies for North Dakota’s 8 child care provider types.

Read the Study and Recommendations

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Serious Injuries, Deaths, and Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect

As a parent, you deserve to know that your child is safe while in child care. To help families make informed decisions, we share important safety information about child care programs that receive support from the Child Care and Development Fund.

You can also contact us if you have concerns or want to learn more about a specific provider.

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What’s in the Report?
Over a 3-year period, the report includes:

  • Serious Injuries and Deaths
    We track and share the number of serious injuries and deaths that happen each year in both licensed and license-exempt child care programs.
    A serious injury means a child was hurt while in care and needed medical attention beyond basic first aid.
  • Confirmed Cases of Abuse or Neglect
    The report also includes the number of confirmed (substantiated) cases of child abuse or neglect in these programs.

Why This Matters
This information helps you:

  • Understand safety trends in child care settings
  • Ask the right questions when choosing a provider
  • Feel more confident about your child care choices

Learn More About Types of Providers

Licensed Child Care

Family Child Care

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 1,536
  • Serious Injuries*: 1
  • Deaths: 0

Group Child Care

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 11,481
  • Serious Injuries*: 12
  • Deaths: 0

Child Care Centers

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 14,055
  • Serious Injuries*: 31
  • Deaths: 0

Preschool Programs

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 796
  • Serious Injuries*: 0
  • Deaths: 0

School Age Programs

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 3,157
  • Serious Injuries*: 6
  • Deaths: 0

Multiple-Licensed Programs

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 7,807
  • Serious Injuries*: 22
  • Deaths: 0

 

Licensed-Exempt Child Care

Self-Declaration Providers

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 187
  • Serious Injuries*: 0
  • Deaths: 0 

 

Number of Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect

All License Types: 2


*A serious injury is defined as any accident or injury which occurs in the early childhood setting or as a result of care provided in the early childhood setting and results in medical treatment. Medical treatment is considered any treatment beyond basic First Aid.

Licensed Child Care

Family Child Care

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 1,636
  • Serious Injuries*: 1
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 1

Group Child Care

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 11,664
  • Serious Injuries*: 17
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

Child Care Centers

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 13,616
  • Serious Injuries*: 23
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

Preschool Programs

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 903
  • Serious Injuries*: 2
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

School Age Programs

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 2,682
  • Serious Injuries*: 6
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

Multiple-Licensed Programs

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 7,722
  • Serious Injuries*: 16
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

 

Licensed-Exempt Child Care

Self-Declaration Providers

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 209
  • Serious Injuries*: 0
  • Deaths: 0 
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

*A serious injury is defined as any accident or injury which occurs in the early childhood setting or as a result of care provided in the early childhood setting and results in medical treatment. Medical treatment is considered any treatment beyond basic First Aid.

Licensed Child Care

Family Child Care

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 1,423
  • Serious Injuries*: 3
  • Deaths: 1
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

Group Child Care

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 12,099
  • Serious Injuries*: 16
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

Child Care Centers

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 12,437
  • Serious Injuries*: 35
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 1

Preschool Programs

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 649
  • Serious Injuries*: 1
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

School Age Programs

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 2,732
  • Serious Injuries*: 3
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 1

Multiple-Licensed Programs

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 7,036
  • Serious Injuries*: 28
  • Deaths: 0
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

 

Licensed-Exempt Child Care

Self-Declaration Providers

  • Estimated Number of Children in Care: 150
  • Serious Injuries*: 0
  • Deaths: 0 
  • Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: 0

*A serious injury is defined as any accident or injury which occurs in the early childhood setting or as a result of care provided in the early childhood setting and results in medical treatment. Medical treatment is considered any treatment beyond basic First Aid.

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Questions? Contact Us

Early Childhood
North Dakota Health and Human Services
600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250

Phone: (701) 328-2115
Toll-Free: (800) 997-8516
Relay ND TTY: 711
Email: dhsec@nd.gov