Child Care Services
Welcome to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Child Care Services webpage. We are happy you are here!
Child Care Services is housed within the Division of Child Care and Community Services. Child Care Services plans, implements, and coordinates activities and programs to ensure quality, and the health and safety of children in licensed care. Child Care Services includes Child and Adult Care Licensing, Pre-Licensure, Child Care Payment Assistance (Smart Steps and the Child Care Certificate Program), and a list of other partner programs.
DHS is committed to promoting early childhood environments that are safe, healthy, and educationally rich.
Notice of Rulemaking Hearing
The Tennessee Department of Human Services recently filed a Notice of Rulemaking Hearing for public hearings to be held on May, 16, 2025, with two in-person options and two virtual options regarding these changes and to accept public comments.
The two in-person sessions on May 16, 2025, at 9:00AM and 6:30PM Central will be located at:
227 French Landing Drive, Training Room 1.150
Nashville, TN 37228
There will also be virtual hearing options as per below:
May 16, 2025 - 9:00AM CDT https://tn.webex.com/tn/j.php?MTID=m33af4ef995d899cd621116e3920a770e
May 16, 2025 - 6:30PM CDT https://tn.webex.com/tn/j.php?MTID=m2688899b7d9b941eaed71e04ca766d8d
Are you interested in becoming a Provider in the Child Care Certificate Program? We're recruiting! Click HERE to Learn More
Need help finding a child care agency near you?
Over the last few years, the Child and Adult Care Services Team has been on a transformation and modernization journey to improve the way services are provided to Tennesseans. As part of that journey, there is a new way to search the more than 2,000 licensed agencies serving Tennessee communities. We will continue to improve and refine this tool over the coming months. To find care near you, click the button below:
Report Child Care violations/complaints by calling the Child Care Complaint Hotline at 1-800-462-8261
Have more questions? Contact a child care licensing office near you. Contact information can be found by clicking here.