Day Care Center Inspections

Application

To schedule your inspection, click on the link below to access the permit portal. Payment is required at the time of application. Please read the “How To” information first before beginning to help reduce any problems in completing the application.

Apply online through the City of Bismarck’s eTRAKIT system

If you are a first-time Group Day Care Provider or a first-time Day Care Center, please contact Community Development, Building Inspections for approval or call 701-355-1465.


Inspection 

The cost of a daycare center inspection is $50. It usually takes a week to ten days for an inspection to take place. Following is a list of items we are looking for:

  • Does the home/facility have two means of escape from every occupied room?
  • Does one of the means of escape lead to the outside? (The other means of escape may be a window that meets the state building code.)
  • Are doors to the outside at least 28 inches in clear width?
  • Is each closet door able to be opened from the inside?
  • Is each bathroom door able to be opened from the outside?
  • Is the fuel-fired heating equipment shielded or guarded to protect the children from harm? (Non-vented fuel-fire heaters are prohibited.)
  • Does the home/facility have CO alarms on each level of the home and outside of each sleeping area? 
  • Are electrical outlets accessible to children under six years of age covered with special protective covers?
  • Are outlets and extension cords overloaded, and are extension cords used properly? (Extension cords must be UL labeled and restricted to minimal usage.)
  • Is there an exit plan, and are exit drills held monthly?
  • Are smoke detectors provided in all sleeping areas used for child care and at each level? Are detectors tested at least monthly? (Recommend batteries are changed every six months.)
  • Does the center have approved and properly maintained fire extinguishers? Is the fire extinguisher accessible? (Extinguishers must have a minimum of a 2A:10BC rating and be checked monthly and serviced annually.)
  • Is an operable flashlight provided?
  • Are combustibles or flammables, i.e., paints and boxes, kept away from sources of ignition like the furnace and water heater?
  • Are all areas of the home/facility usable for childcare? If no, identify the areas that are not used for child care.


Brochure for Home Daycare

Brochure for Home Daycare (PDF)