Child Care Types

Child Care facilities are regulated by the state of Kansas to reduce the risk of predictable harm to children while in out of home settings. Public regulation represents a basic level of protection for all children.

Licensed Day Care Home: Care is provided for a maximum of 10 children under 16 years of age, with a limited number of children under kindergarten age.

Group Day Care Home: Care is provided for a maximum of 12 children under 16 years of age, with a limited number of children under kindergarten age.

Child Care Center: "Child care center" means a facility which: (1) provides care and educational activities 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 nighttime care; or (2) provides before and after school care for school-age children. A facility may have fewer than 13 children and be licensed as a center if the program and building meet child care center regulations.

Preschools: A child care facility which provides learning experiences for children who have not attained the age of eligibility to enter kindergarten prescribed in K.S.A 72-1107(c) and any amendments thereto, and who are 30 months of age or older; which conducts sessions not exceeding three hours per session; which does not enroll any child more than one session per day; and which does not serve a meal. The term "preschool" shall include education preschools, Montessori schools, nursery schools, church-sponsored preschools, and cooperatives. A preschool may have fewer than 13 children and be licensed as a preschool if the program and facility meets preschool regulation. In lieu of being licensed, preschool operated in the same building as private schools providing kindergarten through grade six shall be governed by Kansas statutes applicable to private school. The license for the preschool states the maximum number of children than can be in care at any one time and also states the maximum number of children than can be in care in any one unit by age group. Staff to child ratios must be maintained at all times.

Home-based child care: Licensing for home-based child care IS NOT required if the following conditions are met:

When child care is provided for not more than two children unrelated to the provider for 20 hours a week or less and the home has not been closed as a result of enforcement action. Total time is determined by adding the hours each child is cared for weekly.
When irregular child care is arranged between friends and neighbors on an exchange basis.
When child care is provided in the child's own home.
When child care is provided in the home of the child's relative.

Exempt Child Care Facilities: An exempt facility is most often operated by school districts, or by a business (e.g., a fitness facility) as a convenience to customers or employees. An application for exemption must be submitted to Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Child Care in your home: Some families choose to hire a nanny, an au pair, or other caregiver to come to their home to care for their child. This care is not regulated by the state and requires special considerations on the part of the family employing the caregiver.

Selecting Informal Care for your child: This link has some great things to think about when leaving your child with friends, family, or others.

We Can Do Better: NACCRRA's Ranking of State Child Care Centers Standards and Oversight

Child Care Types

Additional resources about child care licensing