Who do I report a daycare to?

Report to your state's child care licensing agency — not the daycare's corporate office or local government. Every state has a licensing unit that can inspect providers and require them to fix problems. You can find your state's contact below.

What should I write down before I report?

Write down the dates, times, and exactly what happened. Note the names of any staff involved if you know them, and whether it's something that keeps happening or a one-time incident. The more specific you are, the easier it is for an inspector to act on it.

What happens after I file a report?

The state reviews your report and decides whether to send an inspector. If they do, the visit is unannounced — the daycare doesn't get a heads-up. If the inspector finds problems, the daycare has to fix them by a set deadline. Serious or repeated violations can lead to the daycare losing its license.

Can I report anonymously?

Most states let you report without giving your name. The tradeoff is that investigators can't follow up with you for more details. Either way, the state is still required to look into credible reports.

How do I look up a daycare's license status?

Search for the provider on Childery. Each listing shows current license status and quality ratings based on state inspection and licensing data.

Should I talk to the director before reporting to the state?

For minor issues — a miscommunication, a one-time problem you want resolved quickly — talking to the director first can work well. For anything involving safety, repeated problems, or a situation where you don't trust the provider to investigate themselves, go straight to the state. You don't need to warn the daycare before you report.

How to Report a Daycare

If something happened at your child's daycare and you don't feel it was handled properly, you have real options. Every licensed daycare is overseen by a state agency that can send an inspector, require the daycare to fix problems, and — for serious violations — pull their license. Here's how to use that system.

Verified May 2026

Information only. Childery is not a law firm. Nothing on this page is legal advice. If you believe a crime has been committed against a child, contact law enforcement. For legal questions, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.

For suspected abuse or neglect, you can also call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453, available 24/7. The complaint process below is for licensing violations — unsafe ratios, unlicensed staff, or hazardous conditions.

Step 1 — Write down what happened

Before you call or fill out a form, take a few minutes to write things down. Inspectors work from specifics — a vague complaint is harder to act on than a clear one.

Dates & times: When it happened, or when you first noticed the problem
What you saw: Describe the situation in plain terms — the room, the people, what was said
Staff names: Their name if you know it, their role if you don't
Your child's words: Write it down word for word, with the date you heard it
Documents: Incident reports, texts, photos, or emails from the daycare

Email the notes to yourself — that way they're timestamped and easy to find later.

Step 2 — Decide whether to talk to the director first

For smaller issues — a miscommunication, a one-time problem you want resolved quickly — talking to the director first can be the fastest path. For anything involving safety, go straight to the state if any of these apply:

→You're worried about a child's immediate safety
→The same problem has happened before and wasn't fixed
→You don't trust the daycare to honestly investigate themselves
→Telling the provider first might give them time to cover something up before an inspector arrives

You have no obligation to warn the daycare before filing a complaint.

Step 3 — File a complaint with your state

Every state has a child care licensing agency that handles complaints about licensed daycares. You can usually file by phone or online form. When you do, have ready:

The daycare's full name and address
Their license number — posted at the entrance, or find it on Childery
The dates, times, and description of what happened
Names of staff involved, if known
Whether this is a one-time incident or an ongoing problem

Select your state below for the direct phone number, online form, and the agency that handles licensed child care where you are.

What happens after you file

Review: The state looks at your complaint and decides whether it describes a rule violation. They may call you for more detail.
Unannounced inspection: If the complaint warrants it, an inspector visits the daycare without warning. They observe classrooms, check records, and talk to staff.
Findings: Any violations found are documented and become part of the daycare's public record. In most states you can look these up online.
The daycare has to act: The daycare must fix violations by a deadline set by the state. Serious or repeated problems can mean fines, added license conditions, or losing the license altogether.
You hear back: If you left contact information, most states will follow up with the outcome. You can also check the daycare's public license record yourself.

Timeline varies by severity. Immediate safety issues are usually addressed within days; less urgent complaints can take a few weeks. If you feel the state isn't responding, ask to speak with a supervisor or contact your state legislator's office.

What is a daycare incident report?

An incident report is a written record that daycares are required to fill out whenever a child gets hurt, becomes suddenly ill, or something unusual happens. It's not the same as a state complaint — the daycare fills it out and gives it to you. A state complaint is what you file with the government to trigger an investigation.

What the report should include

Date, time, and where it happened
What happened, in detail
Which staff were present and responded
What first aid or care was given
When parents were notified
Whether emergency services were called

Your rights as a parent

You're entitled to a copy of any report about your child
The daycare must notify you the same day the incident occurs
Ask for it in writing if you didn't receive one
Refusing to provide the report can be reported to the state

Keep copies of every incident report. A pattern of small incidents over time can support a stronger complaint to the state.

Common questions

Who do I report a daycare to?: Report to your state's child care licensing agency — not the daycare's corporate office or local government. Every state has a licensing unit that can inspect providers and require them to fix problems. You can find your state's contact below.
What should I write down before I report?: Write down the dates, times, and exactly what happened. Note the names of any staff involved if you know them, and whether it's something that keeps happening or a one-time incident. The more specific you are, the easier it is for an inspector to act on it.
What happens after I file a report?: The state reviews your report and decides whether to send an inspector. If they do, the visit is unannounced — the daycare doesn't get a heads-up. If the inspector finds problems, the daycare has to fix them by a set deadline. Serious or repeated violations can lead to the daycare losing its license.
Can I report anonymously?: Most states let you report without giving your name. The tradeoff is that investigators can't follow up with you for more details. Either way, the state is still required to look into credible reports.
How do I look up a daycare's license status?: Search for the provider on Childery. Each listing shows current license status and quality ratings based on state inspection and licensing data. Search the Childery directory →
What is a daycare incident report?: An incident report is the written record a daycare is required to fill out when a child gets hurt, becomes ill, or something unusual happens. You're entitled to a copy of any report involving your child. If you didn't receive one after an incident, ask in writing — and if the daycare refuses, that itself may be something you can report to the state.
Should I talk to the director before reporting to the state?: For minor issues — a miscommunication, a one-time problem you want resolved quickly — talking to the director first can work well. For anything involving safety, repeated problems, or a situation where you don't trust the provider to investigate themselves, go straight to the state. You don't need to warn the daycare before you report.

State agency phone numbers and complaint form links are sourced from childcare.gov, verified May 2026. If a link is broken, search for your state's child care licensing agency or call 2-1-1 from anywhere in the US. If you spot something outdated, let us know.