Child Care Licensing

General Overview

The Shawnee County Health Department's (SCHD) Child Care Licensing program works to ensure state regulations are enforced at child care facilities in Shawnee County. SCHD staff also conduct complaint investigations on currently licensed facilities and on those facilities that are not licensed and providing illegal care, according to the statute K.S.A. 65-501, when reported. Assistance is provided to help child care facilities meet all state and local requirements.

Trainings

Information on any required trainings, annual renewal training, or potential resources can be found at http://nenc.ks.childcareaware.org/and are provided during orientation. If SCHD staff provide training, there may be fees associated, and these will be made known during promotion of the training.

Fees

Licensing fees are based on the size and type of facility. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has licensing fees, which can be found in the state regulation books for the specific type of child care you are looking to run. In addition, SCHD has licensing fees, which can be found below in the helpful document, "Shawnee County Childcare Licensing Operating Certificate Information". The specific fees are also provided at the orientation.

Helpful Documents

FCCH – Family Child Care Homes
CCC – Child Care Centers
The documents are as follows:

• Shawnee County Childcare Licensing Operating Certificate Information
• Shawnee County Childcare Licensing Operating Certificate Application
• Fire and Tornado Drills (FCCH and CCC)
• Staff Sheet (CCC)
• In-service Training Sheet (CCC)
• Sample Disaster and Emergency Plans(FCCH)
• Sample Discipline Policy (FCCH)
• Transportation Rules (FCCH)
• Outing Log (FCCH and CCC)
• Sample Daily Activities Schedule (CCC)
• Sample Disaster and Emergency Plans (CCC)

To find a topic faster, click on the links below:

• Starting a Child Care
• Already Operating a Child Care
• How to Find Child Care in Shawnee County

Starting a Child Care

When looking to start a child care facility in Shawnee County, whether it is a home or larger facility, you must attend orientation in the county you wish to run your child care before your application can be processed. Orientation is provided by the Shawnee County Health Department and provides information on how to apply, what paperwork must be completed, what trainings are required and other helpful information.

SCHD provides orientation once a month. Each attendee must pay a $20 registration fee, which must be paid by noon on the Friday prior to the class. No children under the age of 12 are allowed to attend the class. To register or get more information, please call (785)251-5750.

Helpful forms and documents can be found under the forms link. You can find the regulation books and child care required forms on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website.

Already Operating a Child Care

Home-Based Child Care

When operating a child care facility, providers should have a current temporary permit (TP) or license posted from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. In addition, a current operating certificate should be obtained from the Shawnee County Health Department. Both of these documents are required to legally operate a child care facility in Shawnee County.

Home-based child care facilities should follow all regulations and statutes found in the regulation guidelines. Inspections for home-based child care happen at least annually.

Family Child Care Homes

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment provides the most current regulatory guidelines and other helpful information. This Family Child Care Home category of care allows up to 12 children, unless an exception is granted by KDHE. However, the more children being cared for under the age of 18 months, the limit of children allowed drops. A group child care facility can have up to 12 children. The different categories and options can be found on the KDHE Child Care Licensing website.

Any questions regarding capacity should be directed to the Shawnee County Health Department's Child Care Licensing program. It is each child care facility's responsibility to be in compliance with capacity at all times.

Child Care Centers and Preschools

When operating a child care center or preschool, facilities should have a qualified program director for the size of the facility and qualified staff. Facilities should obtain a current license from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, as well as the current Shawnee County Operating Certificate.

Center and preschool facilities should follow all regulations and statutes found in the regulation guidelines. You can find the required Kansas Department of Health and Environment forms online. Inspections for center and preschool facilities happen at least annually.

School Age and Drop-In Programs

When operating a School Age facility, including summer camps, or a Drop-In program, you should have a qualified Program Director. Facilities should obtain a current license from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, as well as the current Shawnee County Operating Certificate.

School-age facilities and Drop-In Programs should follow all regulations and statutes found in the regulation guidelines. Inspections for school-age facilities happen at least annually. You can find the required Kansas Department of Health and Environment forms online.

School-age facilities and Drop-In Programs vary in the number of children they can provide for, based on the facility's size.

How to Find Child Care in Shawnee County

Finding Child Care Facilities

The Shawnee County Health Department Child Care Licensing program inspects all licensed Family Child Care Homes, Centers/Preschool facilities, School-Aged programs (including summer camps) and Drop-In programs in Shawnee County.

To find childcare, please contact the Child Care Aware Resource and Referral Agency or call them at 785-357-5171.

Choosing a Child Care for Your Family

If you are looking to enroll your child(ren) into child care, it is very important that you choose a licensed facility. When a facility is licensed, they are required to follow state regulations and statutes and is subject to inspections.

To research a facility in Shawnee County, including prior inspection reports, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Kansas Law requires child care to have a license under K.S.A. 65-501. License or temporary permit required: exemptions. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or association to conduct or maintain a child care facility for children under 16 years of age without having a license or temporary permit.