Kansas Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Kansas (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Kansas means applying to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, Child Care Licensing Program, clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in Kansas's licensing statutes.

Kansas Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your Kansas launch budget and timeline.

Application fee
For a day care home, group day care home, or child care center, the nonrefundable license/application fee is $75 plus $1 times the maximum number of children to be authorized under the license; for a preschool the fee is $15 if license capacity is 12 or fewer children, or $35 plus $1 per child not to exceed $75 if capacity is 13 or more children (K.A.R. 28-4-92).
Annual renewal fee
The same license fee schedule applies at renewal and is paid annually; per K.S.A. 65-505 the license fee "shall be paid to the secretary of health and environment when the license is applied for and annually thereafter," and any licensee who fails to renew within 30 days after expiration "shall pay to the secretary the renewal fee plus a late fee in an amount of $75 or equal to the fee for the renewal of a license, whichever is greater" (K.S.A. 65-505).
Pre-service training
Kansas does not specify a fixed number of pre-service clock-hours; instead each applicant must complete an orientation program before applying for a license, and each provider/staff member must complete approved health-and-safety training before being given sole responsibility for the care and supervision of children (for family child care homes per K.A.R. 28-4-114a; for centers/preschools, orientation not later than seven calendar days after the date of employment and before sole responsibility per K.A.R. 28-4-428a), with first aid and pediatric CPR certification obtained before or not later than 30 calendar days after the date of employment (K.A.R. 28-4-114a; K.A.R. 28-4-428a).
Annual training
In each licensure year, each family child care home provider must complete 16 clock-hours of professional development training, four of which must cover specified health-and-safety subject areas (K.A.R. 28-4-114a, amended August 2, 2024); in a child care center or preschool, each program director, each staff member counted in the staff-child ratio, and each counted volunteer must likewise complete 16 clock-hours of professional development training each licensure year, four of which must cover health-and-safety subjects (K.A.R. 28-4-428a).
License-exempt threshold
Kansas sets no numeric "unrelated children" exemption: a license is required to conduct or maintain a child care facility caring for one or more children under 16 years of age, unattended by parent or guardian (K.S.A. 65-501; K.S.A. 65-503(c)(1)), and the only relatives excluded from the "child care facility" definition are children "related to the person by blood, marriage or legal adoption" (K.S.A. 65-503(c)(1)), so caring for even one unrelated child outside the relative exemption triggers licensing; the sole statutory exemptions in K.S.A. 65-501 are (a) a residential facility or hospital operated and maintained by a state agency and (b) an accredited summer instructional camp operated by a Kansas educational institution for not more than five weeks for children all 10 years of age and older (K.S.A. 65-501(a)-(b)).
Family child care capacity
A one-provider family child care home has a maximum group size of 10 children when serving children at least 2.5 but under 10 years of age, with infant sub-limits under K.A.R. 28-4-114(e) Table I allowing up to 1 child under 12 months while still serving 10 total, dropping to 9 total with 2 infants and 8 total with 3 infants (3 infants being the one-provider maximum); a second provider is required once counts exceed the one-provider limits, raising the maximum group size to 12 children (Table III), with up to 5 children under 12 months permitted at that 12-child cap (K.A.R. 28-4-114(e), effective August 2, 2024).
Indoor square footage
Child care centers must provide at least 35 square feet of floor space per child in each area designated for children's activities, exclusive of kitchen, passageways, storage areas, and bathrooms (K.A.R. 28-4-423); family child care homes must have 25 square feet of available play space per child (K.A.R. 28-4-115); and child care centers must provide at least 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child using the space at a given time, with total outdoor space accommodating not less than one-half of the licensed capacity or a minimum of 750 square feet, whichever is greater (K.A.R. 28-4-437).
Inspection schedule
At least once every 12 months (K.S.A. 65-512(a)). KDHE shall also conduct an inspection upon receiving a complaint, prior to issuance of a license for any new facility, may inspect a facility with a record of repeated complaints or serious violations at any time, and shall inspect any facility serving military families receiving military child care assistance every 12 months (K.S.A. 65-512(b)(2)).

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Kansas

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in Kansas's childcare licensing rules.

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in Kansas. Kansas sets no numeric "unrelated children" exemption: a license is required to conduct or maintain a child care facility caring for one or more children under 16 years of age, unattended by parent or guardian (K.S.A. 65-501; K.S.A. 65-503(c)(1)), and the only relatives excluded from the "child care facility" definition are children "related to the person by blood, marriage or legal adoption" (K.S.A. 65-503(c)(1)), so caring for even one unrelated child outside the relative exemption triggers licensing; the sole statutory exemptions in K.S.A. 65-501 are (a) a residential facility or hospital operated and maintained by a state agency and (b) an accredited summer instructional camp operated by a Kansas educational institution for not more than five weeks for children all 10 years of age and older (K.S.A. 65-501(a)-(b)).

    Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.

  2. Complete pre-service training & CPR

    Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. Kansas does not specify a fixed number of pre-service clock-hours; instead each applicant must complete an orientation program before applying for a license, and each provider/staff member must complete approved health-and-safety training before being given sole responsibility for the care and supervision of children (for family child care homes per K.A.R. 28-4-114a; for centers/preschools, orientation not later than seven calendar days after the date of employment and before sole responsibility per K.A.R. 28-4-428a), with first aid and pediatric CPR certification obtained before or not later than 30 calendar days after the date of employment (K.A.R. 28-4-114a; K.A.R. 28-4-428a).

    Plan for ongoing training too: In each licensure year, each family child care home provider must complete 16 clock-hours of professional development training, four of which must cover specified health-and-safety subject areas (K.A.R. 28-4-114a, amended August 2, 2024); in a child care center or preschool, each program director, each staff member counted in the staff-child ratio, and each counted volunteer must likewise complete 16 clock-hours of professional development training each licensure year, four of which must cover health-and-safety subjects (K.A.R. 28-4-428a).

  3. Pass background checks

    Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.

    Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.

  4. Prepare your facility

    Set up a space that meets Kansas's facility standards. Child care centers must provide at least 35 square feet of floor space per child in each area designated for children's activities, exclusive of kitchen, passageways, storage areas, and bathrooms (K.A.R. 28-4-423); family child care homes must have 25 square feet of available play space per child (K.A.R. 28-4-115); and child care centers must provide at least 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child using the space at a given time, with total outdoor space accommodating not less than one-half of the licensed capacity or a minimum of 750 square feet, whichever is greater (K.A.R. 28-4-437).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A one-provider family child care home has a maximum group size of 10 children when serving children at least 2.5 but under 10 years of age, with infant sub-limits under K.A.R. 28-4-114(e) Table I allowing up to 1 child under 12 months while still serving 10 total, dropping to 9 total with 2 infants and 8 total with 3 infants (3 infants being the one-provider maximum); a second provider is required once counts exceed the one-provider limits, raising the maximum group size to 12 children (Table III), with up to 5 children under 12 months permitted at that 12-child cap (K.A.R. 28-4-114(e), effective August 2, 2024).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, Child Care Licensing Program and pay the licensing fee. For a day care home, group day care home, or child care center, the nonrefundable license/application fee is $75 plus $1 times the maximum number of children to be authorized under the license; for a preschool the fee is $15 if license capacity is 12 or fewer children, or $35 plus $1 per child not to exceed $75 if capacity is 13 or more children (K.A.R. 28-4-92).

    Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.

  6. Pass the licensing inspection

    Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. At least once every 12 months (K.S.A. 65-512(a)). KDHE shall also conduct an inspection upon receiving a complaint, prior to issuance of a license for any new facility, may inspect a facility with a record of repeated complaints or serious violations at any time, and shall inspect any facility serving military families receiving military child care assistance every 12 months (K.S.A. 65-512(b)(2)).

    The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.

  7. Open your doors

    Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Kansas rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Infants 1:3 (max 9 per unit) or 1:4 (max 8 per unit); only one staff-child ratio may be used at any one time for each infant unit (K.A.R. 28-4-428(a)(2), eff. 8/2/2024), Infants and other children under the age of 6 (mixed) 1:6 (including not more than 3 infants); max 12 per unit (including not more than 6 infants), Toddlers (learned to walk, 12 to 30 months) 1:6 (max 12 per unit), Children at least 2 years but under 3 years 1:7 (max 14 per unit), Children at least 2.5 years but under school-age 1:12 (max 24 per unit), School-age (will attain kindergarten eligibility, not yet 16) 1:16 (max 32 per unit)

    Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.

  8. Enroll families

    Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, Kansas-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.

    Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in Kansas

Kansas licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

  • CCL 312 - Staff Qualifications Chart (K.A.R. 28-4-429)
  • Application for License to Operate a Child Care Center or Preschool (KDHE Child Care Licensing Program, K.A.R. 28-4-422(d))
  • Amended License Application (change of license capacity, age of children enrolled, or number of units - K.A.R. 28-4-422(i))
  • Fingerprint-Based Background Check submission / KBI fingerprint card (K.A.R. 28-4-125; $48 fee per K.A.R. 28-4-95)
  • Medical record / Child Health Assessment and immunization record form (K.A.R. 28-4-430(a))
  • Emergency medical treatment / written parental permission form (K.A.R. 28-4-127(b)(1)(A))
  • Critical Incident Report form (K.A.R. 28-4-133(b))
  • Off-Premises (field trip) Parental Permission form (K.A.R. 28-4-124(b))
  • Medication Administration documentation form (K.A.R. 28-4-132(i)(4))

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Kansas requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, Child Care Licensing Program: Infants 1:3 (max 9 per unit) or 1:4 (max 8 per unit); only one staff-child ratio may be used at any one time for each infant unit (K.A.R. 28-4-428(a)(2), eff. 8/2/2024), Infants and other children under the age of 6 (mixed) 1:6 (including not more than 3 infants); max 12 per unit (including not more than 6 infants), Toddlers (learned to walk, 12 to 30 months) 1:6 (max 12 per unit), Children at least 2 years but under 3 years 1:7 (max 14 per unit), Children at least 2.5 years but under school-age 1:12 (max 24 per unit), School-age (will attain kindergarten eligibility, not yet 16) 1:16 (max 32 per unit).

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your Kansas licensing kit

The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all Kansas-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

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One-time purchase · Kansas-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in Kansas: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Kansas?
Kansas sets no numeric "unrelated children" exemption: a license is required to conduct or maintain a child care facility caring for one or more children under 16 years of age, unattended by parent or guardian (K.S.A. 65-501; K.S.A. 65-503(c)(1)), and the only relatives excluded from the "child care facility" definition are children "related to the person by blood, marriage or legal adoption" (K.S.A. 65-503(c)(1)), so caring for even one unrelated child outside the relative exemption triggers licensing; the sole statutory exemptions in K.S.A. 65-501 are (a) a residential facility or hospital operated and maintained by a state agency and (b) an accredited summer instructional camp operated by a Kansas educational institution for not more than five weeks for children all 10 years of age and older (K.S.A. 65-501(a)-(b)).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Kansas?
For a day care home, group day care home, or child care center, the nonrefundable license/application fee is $75 plus $1 times the maximum number of children to be authorized under the license; for a preschool the fee is $15 if license capacity is 12 or fewer children, or $35 plus $1 per child not to exceed $75 if capacity is 13 or more children (K.A.R. 28-4-92). Renewal: The same license fee schedule applies at renewal and is paid annually; per K.S.A. 65-505 the license fee "shall be paid to the secretary of health and environment when the license is applied for and annually thereafter," and any licensee who fails to renew within 30 days after expiration "shall pay to the secretary the renewal fee plus a late fee in an amount of $75 or equal to the fee for the renewal of a license, whichever is greater" (K.S.A. 65-505).
Who issues daycare licenses in Kansas?
Childcare licensing in Kansas is handled by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, Child Care Licensing Program. You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in Kansas?
Kansas does not specify a fixed number of pre-service clock-hours; instead each applicant must complete an orientation program before applying for a license, and each provider/staff member must complete approved health-and-safety training before being given sole responsibility for the care and supervision of children (for family child care homes per K.A.R. 28-4-114a; for centers/preschools, orientation not later than seven calendar days after the date of employment and before sole responsibility per K.A.R. 28-4-428a), with first aid and pediatric CPR certification obtained before or not later than 30 calendar days after the date of employment (K.A.R. 28-4-114a; K.A.R. 28-4-428a).

Keep researching Kansas

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Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Kansas statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, Child Care Licensing Program before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.