Here are requirements in the state of Minnesota.


1. Notify the county agency before initial use of the swimming pool and annually, thereafter;

2. Obtain written consent from a child’s parent or legal guardian allowing the child to use the swimming pool, and renew the parent or legal guardian’s written consent at least annually. The written consent must include a statement that the parent or legal guardian has received and read materials provided by the department of health to the department of human services for distribution to all family day care or group family day care homes and the general public on the human services Internet web site related to the risk of disease transmission as well as other health risks associated with swimming pools. The written consent must also include a statement that the department of health, department of human services, and county agency will not monitor or inspect the provider’s swimming pool to ensure compliance with the requirements in MN Statutes 245A.14, subdivision 10;

3. Enter into a written contract with a child’s parent or legal guardian, and renew the written contract annually. The terms of the written contract must specify that the provider agrees to perform all of the requirements in MN Statutes 245A.14, subdivision 10;

4. Attend and successfully complete a swimming pool operator training course once every five years. Acceptable training courses are:
a. The National Swimming Pool Foundation Certified Pool Operator course;
b. The National Spa and Pool Institute Tech I and Tech II courses (both required); or
c. The National Recreation and Park Association Aquatic Facility Operator course;

5. Require a caregiver trained in first aid and adult and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation to supervise and be present at the swimming pool with any children in the pool;

6. Toilet all potty-trained children before they enter the swimming pool;

7. Require all children who are not potty-trained to wear swim diapers while in the swimming pool;

8. If fecal material enters the swimming pool water, add three times the normal shock treatment to the pool water to raise the chlorine level to at least 20 parts per million, and close the pool to swimming for the 24 hours following the entrance of the fecal material into the water or until the water pH and disinfectant concentration levels have returned to the standards specified in clause (10), whichever is later;

9. Prevent any person from entering the swimming pool who has an open wound or any person who has or is suspected of having a communicable disease;

10. Maintain the swimming pool water at a pH of not less than 7.2 and not more than 8.0, maintain the disinfectant concentration between two and five parts per million for chlorine or between 2.3 and 4.5 parts per million for bromine, and maintain a daily record of the swimming pool’s operation with pH and disinfectant concentration readings on days when children are cared for at the family day care or group family day care home are present;

11. Have a disinfectant feeder or feeders;

12. Have a recirculation system that will clarify and disinfect the swimming pool volume of water in ten hours or less;

13. Maintain the swimming pool’s water clarity so that an object on the pool floor at the pool’s deepest point is easily visible;

14. Have two or more suction lines in the swimming pool;
15. Have in place and enforce written safety rules and swimming pool policies;

16. Have in place at all times a safety rope that divides the shallow and deep portions of the swimming pool;

17. Satisfy any existing local ordinances regarding swimming pool installation, decks, and fencing;

18. Maintain a water temperature of not more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit and not less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit; and

19. For lifesaving equipment, have a United States Coast Guard-approved life ring attached to a rope, an exit ladder, and a shepherd’s hook available at all times to the caregiver supervising the swimming pool.

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