---
title: "Keep your center's own files (Center Files)"
description: "File your license, inspection reports, fire drill logs, policies and insurance in one admin-only place, by folder, so they're ready for a licensing visit."
type: guide
updated: 2026-10-16
canonical_url: https://help.nestlicare.com/owners/documents/center-files
roles: ["super_admin", "center_admin"]
platforms: [web]
---
**Center Files** is for paperwork that belongs to the center, not to a person or a family: your license, inspection reports, fire drill logs, evacuation plans, policies and handbooks, insurance, and blank forms. It's the last tab under **Documents**, next to Document Requests, Child Files and Staff Documents. Only owners and center admins can see it. Parents and teachers never do.

Center Files is on the web dashboard. There's no Center Files screen in the iPhone or Android app yet.

## Upload files

1. Go to **Documents → Center Files** and click **Upload files**.
2. Choose one or more files. PDFs and photos work.
3. Give it a **Name** (when you upload one file) and pick a **Folder**: License & licensing, Inspections, Fire & emergency, Health & safety, Policies & handbooks, Blank forms, Insurance or Other.
4. If you have more than one center, pick the **Center**. Owners can also choose **All centers**. Center admins file to their own center.
5. Add an **Expires or renews** date and a **Note** if you like, such as "Passed, no issues". Click **Upload**.

Files are grouped by folder. Use the search box and the folder (and center) filters to find one quickly at a licensing visit, then click the eye icon to open it.

## Change or replace a file

- **Name, folder, center, date or note:** click the pencil icon on the file's row.
- **The file itself:** NestliCare keeps the file as you uploaded it. To update a log or form, fill it in on your phone or computer (on iPhone, open the PDF in the **Files** app and use **Markup**; on a Mac, use **Preview**), upload the new copy, then delete the old one with the trash icon. A dated name such as "Fire Drill Log – Oct 2026" keeps copies straight.

## Renewal dates

A file with an **Expires or renews** date shows a badge on its row, so you can see at a glance what is coming up. Center Files doesn't send reminder emails. Staff certifications that need reminders belong in [Staff Documents](/owners/staff/staff-documents).

## Center Files or Staff Documents?

- **Center Files:** the center's own paperwork, admin-only.
- **[Staff Documents](/owners/staff/staff-documents):** a staff member's paperwork, such as CPR cards, background checks and contracts, with expiry reminders.
- **Child Files:** a child's records from their family.