Child Care Facility Requirements

A child care facility in which care is provided for a maximum of 12 children under 16 years of age and includes children under 11 years of age related to the provider. The total number of children in care at any one time is based on the ages of the children in care.

• The license is usually issued for the provider's own home but may be issued at a location other than the provider's home. The license identifies the address of the child care facility.
• The licensee must be 18 years of age, have an understanding of children, complete certified first aid and CPR as well as child care-related training.
• A KBI criminal history and child abuse and neglect background check is processed on all persons living, working
• or volunteering in the licensed daycare home.
• State Licensing fee $87. Local fees may also apply.
• The licensed group daycare home is inspected to check compliance with regulations to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the children in care at least once every 12 months. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment contracts with local county health departments or private contractors to conduct on-site inspections.
• The licensed group daycare home must be approved for fire safety.
• View Chart for Group Day Care Home's Total Number of Children by Age (PDF)

A child care facility in which care and educational activities are provided for 13 or more children two weeks to 16 years of age for more than three hours and less than 24 hours per day including day time, evening, and night-time care, or which provides before and after school care for school-age children.

• A qualified program director must be employed at the center full-time. Each unit must have qualified staff at all times when children are in care. Qualifications are stated by regulation and are based on the number of children in care.
• Staff caring for children must have an understanding of children and complete first aid, recognition of symptoms of illness, child abuse and neglect and other child care job related training.
• A KBI criminal history and child abuse and neglect background check is processed on all persons living, working or volunteering in the licensed child care center facility.
• State licensing fee $75 plus $1 for each child in the total capacity. For example, for a capacity of 60 children, the required initial and annual fee is $135. Local fees may also apply.
• The child care center is inspected to check compliance with regulations to protect the health, safety and well-being of the children in care at least once every 12 months. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment contracts with local county health departments or private contractors to conduct on-site inspections.
• View Staff to Child Ratios (PDF)
• View chart of Staff Qualification Options (PDF)

• Health certificates are required for all persons 16 years of age and older in contact with children.
• Medical records on all children and youth in care must be on file at the child care facility.
• The secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment may levy a fine, suspend, deny or revoke a license for violation of the regulation of the child care licensing statutes.
• Information about licensing procedures and copies of regulations may be obtained from the county health departments.

An association, organization, individual, or corporation receiving, caring for, and finding homes for children under 16 years of age who need day care.

Licensing for home-based daycare is not required as follows:

• When child care is provided for children in their own home
• when child care is provided for children who are all relatives of the child care provider
• when child care is arranged between friends or neighbors on an irregular basis
• when child care is provided for not more than two children unrelated to the child care provider for not more than 20 care hours a week. The total hours shall be determined by adding the hours each child is cared for during the week.

For assistance in determining if a center-based program for children or youth are required to be licensed, please submit form CCL 309 Inquiry Regarding Licensure CCC/PS/Mother's Day Out or form CCL 360 Inquiry Regarding Licensure: SAP to KDHE for review (include a link to the specific form). 

The inquiry form should include detailed information about the program's purpose and a description of services offered for children or youth.

• CCL 309 Inquiry Regarding Licensure CCC, PS, Mother’s Day Out (PDF)
• CCL 360 Inquiry Regarding Licensure SAP (PDF)