Open the official state resources
Start with the state licensing information linked on this page. Find the office that regulates family or home-based child care in the county or region where you live.
Provider PathBy Holly’s Growing Minds StudioEspañolKS guide
KS home child care
How to start a home daycare in Kansas.
Kansas child care licensing has transitioned to the Kansas Office of Early Childhood. Start from the current KOEC licensing route rather than relying on instructions or fees copied from the retired KDHE page. Confirm your home or center category and current application requirements. For professional learning, KCCTO directs providers to CAPE; training registration and licensing approval remain separate tasks.
Source review: September 13, 2026
Reviewed background-check resources, center resources, home-provider resources, provider-start guidance, rules navigation, provider support, professional-development guidance. This was a targeted review of the linked public guidance, not a complete review of every rule or local requirement.
Use the current KOEC gateway to reach home application materials. Some individual application pages were not verified separately.
Individual courses, staff qualifications, local approvals and account submissions have not been certified by this review. Confirm those details with the responsible agency.
Free state paperwork guide
Forms & records for Kansas.
KOEC now administers child care licensing and says existing policies remain effective. It has a new forms hub; the reviewed KDHE-issued documents below need current routing confirmation.
- KOEC family child care forms and application routing
Locate current application, forms, background checks and licensing specialist.
Official source ↗ - Application for a New Family Child Care Home · CCL 201
Records proposed operations, ownership and home details.
Official source ↗ - Renewal Application for a Family Child Care Home · CCL 202
Requests another year of licensure without operational changes.
Official source ↗ - Medical Record · CCL 029
Collects medical history, immunizations and supporting child health assessment.
Official source ↗ - Short-Term Medication Authorization · CCL 026
Documents medication instructions, permission and administration.
Official source ↗ - Critical Incident Report · CCL 028a
Reports injury, death and incidents jeopardizing child safety.
Official source ↗ - Family Child Care Home Orientation Checklist · CCL 400
Documents orientation to policies, emergency procedures, supervision and health practices.
Official source ↗
Paperwork sources reviewed September 14, 2026. The full guide identifies provider types, use instructions, format choices, and review limits.
Your starting roadmap
Seven steps to organize the process.
This roadmap shows what most applicants need to ask about. It does not replace Kansas’s current packet, regulations or licensing representative.
Prepared byHolly
Teacher, former in-home provider, and family child care specialist with more than 35 years in early childhood.
Source standardReview scope matters
How Provider Path is researched →Targeted source review dated September 13, 2026. The source-review note identifies the scope and limits. Confirm your category and location before applying.
Confirm which provider type applies
Ask whether your program will be licensed, registered, certified or legally license-exempt. The answer can depend on capacity, children’s ages, relationship to the children and whether care happens in your own home.
Request the application and orientation
Ask how to receive the current application packet and whether orientation is required before applying. Follow the state’s order instead of completing training, fingerprints or home changes too early.
Build your paperwork and training file
Confirm the required identification, education, health records, references, household information, emergency plans, insurance, training and local approvals. Keep copies of every document and certificate.
Complete background checks as directed
Ask exactly who must be checked, which forms are required and where approved fingerprinting is completed. Requirements may include caregivers, substitutes, employees and household members.
Prepare the home for inspection
Use the current state rules to review exits, alarms, sleeping and play spaces, outdoor areas, pets, water safety, medications, supervision, emergency plans and any local fire, zoning or health requirements.
Submit, inspect and follow up
Submit the complete packet in the order your licensing office requires. Prepare for the home visit, correct any remaining items and wait for written approval before operating when a license or registration is required.
Questions for your first call
Write these answers down.
The first conversation with the licensing office can save you from paying for the wrong training, inspection or home changes.
- Which home child care category fits my planned capacity?
- Do I need orientation before receiving or submitting the packet?
- Which documents and training certificates are submitted together?
- Who needs background checks, and when should fingerprints be completed?
- Which local fire, health, zoning or business approvals apply?
- Is liability insurance required, and what coverage limit or proof must I provide?
- May I operate before final written approval?
Official starting links
Use current sources for the final answer.
Choose training for your setting and role.
KOEC and KCCTO identify CAPE as the professional development workforce registry. Training registration and licensing approval are distinct; confirm each course for the relevant requirement.
Before enrolling, confirm the exact course, provider category, staff role, format, required topics and hours, completion deadline, renewal and accepted certificate. Check pediatric CPR and first aid separately; a general online child-development or health-and-safety course is not a substitute for the certification your agency accepts.
Provider starting point
Kansas KOEC child care licensing
Identify your provider category and the office responsible for your application.
Open resource ↗Rules and standardsKansas KOEC regulations and policy exemptions
Choose the current rules for your program category and confirm the effective edition with the agency.
Open resource ↗Background checksKansas KOEC background-check information
Confirm who must be checked, the required documents and the timing before arranging checks.
Open resource ↗Child care centersKansas center, preschool and Head Start applications
Use the center-specific guidance. Home-provider requirements and center requirements can differ.
Open resource ↗Home child careKansas home-provider forms and applications
Use the family or home child care guidance for the category you plan to operate.
Open resource ↗Professional developmentKCCTO: About CAPE
Find professional-development guidance and confirm the exact course, format and certificate for your role.
Open resource ↗Provider supportKCCTO provider and training support
Find practical assistance and contact information for your next step.
Open resource ↗Provider supportChild Care in Kansas support
Find practical assistance and contact information for your next step.
Open resource ↗Inspection recordsKansas provider and inspection search
Use the state’s search starting point to understand monitoring records and how licensed programs are displayed.
Open inspection resource ↗Child care assistanceKansas subsidy resources
Find the state program that helps eligible families pay for care and ask how providers participate.
Open assistance resources ↗Meal reimbursementKansas CACFP finder
Start with the USDA and state directories for family day care home sponsors and program contacts.
Find food-program contacts →Insurance regulatorKansas insurance department
Verify companies and agents, find consumer help, and ask state insurance questions.
Open state regulator directory ↗Business protection guideHome daycare insurance questions
Check state requirements, home-policy exclusions, child-capacity eligibility, and provider options.
Open insurance guide →Program setupEquipment and supplier guide
Compare professional and budget sources, then track verified items, quotes, purchases, and recall checks.
Plan equipment purchases →After written approvalMarketing and enrollment guide
Build a clear program description and a responsible 30-day plan for filling openings.
Plan responsible promotion →