Kansas Childcare Daycare Inspection Prep (2026)

At least once every 12 months (K.S.A. 65-512(a)).

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)).

K.S.A. 65-512(b)(2)

Criminal: a violation of article 5 of chapter 65 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $50, and each day the person fails or refuses to comply is a separate offense (K.S.A. 65-514).

K.S.A. 65-514

Civil fine: KDHE may assess a civil fine not exceeding $500 per violation of statute or rules and regulations that significantly and adversely affect the health, safety, or sanitation of children, with each day of a continuing violation a separate violation (K.S.A. 65-526).

K.S.A. 65-526

Administrative: KDHE may limit, modify, suspend, or revoke a license or temporary permit for violations (K.S.A. 65-523

K.S.A. 38-2223

emergency suspension prior to hearing under K.S.A. 65-524)

K.S.A. 38-2223

a licensee who is a repeat (three or more times) violator or who is found to have contributed to the death or serious bodily harm of a child shall be permanently prohibited from applying for a new license or seeking employment under another licensee (K.S.A. 65-504(e)).

K.S.A. 65-504(e)

Willful and knowing failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is a class B misdemeanor (K.S.A. 38-2223).

K.S.A. 38-2223

During a Kansas childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Infants age group must be staffed at no looser than 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).

During a Kansas childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Infants and other children under the age of 6 (mixed) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:6 (including not more than 3 infants); max 12 per unit (including not more than 6 infants).

During a Kansas childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Toddlers (learned to walk, 12 to 30 months) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:6 (max 12 per unit).

During a Kansas childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Children at least 2 years but under 3 years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:7 (max 14 per unit).

During a Kansas childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Children at least 2.5 years but under school-age age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:12 (max 24 per unit).

During a Kansas childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the School-age (will attain kindergarten eligibility, not yet 16) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:16 (max 32 per unit).

Kansas inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Hours of Operation policy (Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy.) per K.A.R. 28-4-426(a) (Administration; line of authority - written delegation of administrative authority designating the person in charge in the facility for all hours of operation) [umbrella; no dedicated hours-of-operation rule exists for KS centers].

K.A.R. 28-4-426(a) (Administration; line of authority - written delegation of administrative authority designating the person in charge in the facility for all hours of operation) [umbrella; no dedicated hours-of-operation rule exists for KS centers]

Kansas inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy policy (Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps.) per K.A.R. 28-4-132(b)(3) (Child care practices; behavior management - written discipline policy indicating methods of guidance, parents informed); prohibited punishment under K.A.R. 28-4-132(c).

K.A.R. 28-4-132(b)(3) (Child care practices; behavior management - written discipline policy indicating methods of guidance, parents informed); prohibited punishment under K.A.R. 28-4-132(c)

Kansas inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Illness and Exclusion Policy policy (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per K.A.R. 28-4-430(c) (Health practices; illness and abuse - (c)(1) communicable disease notice to parents, (c)(2) report communicable disease to local health dept, (c)(4) written sick-child care plans referencing K.A.R. 28-1-2 and 28-1-6 for infectious/contagious disease and isolation/quarantine, (c)(5) quiet area for sick children).

K.A.R. 28-4-430(c) (Health practices; illness and abuse - (c)(1) communicable disease notice to parents, (c)(2) report communicable disease to local health dept, (c)(4) written sick-child care plans referencing K.A.R. 28-1-2 and 28-1-6 for infectious/contagious disease and isolation/quarantine, (c)(5) quiet area for sick children)

Kansas inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Medication Administration Policy policy (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per K.A.R. 28-4-132(i) (Medication administration - (i)(1) medication administration training per K.A.R. 28-4-114a and 28-4-428a; (i)(2) nonprescription medication on written parental permission, original container, labeled with child's name; (i)(3) prescription medication in original pharmacy-labeled container administered only to the designated child per label; (i)(4)-(5) documentation on department form in each child's file, copy available to parent).

K.A.R. 28-4-132(i) (Medication administration - (i)(1) medication administration training per K.A.R. 28-4-114a and 28-4-428a; (i)(2) nonprescription medication on written parental permission, original container, labeled with child's name; (i)(3) prescription medication in original pharmacy-labeled container administered only to the designated child per label; (i)(4)-(5) documentation on department form in each child's file, copy available to parent)

How often does Kansas inspect licensed childcare centers?

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)).

What do Kansas inspectors check during a childcare inspection?

Kansas childcare inspectors typically verify: (1) staff-to-child ratios are met for every age group, (2) staff CPR/First Aid certifications and background checks are current, (3) each child's file contains required enrollment, immunization, and emergency-contact records, (4) fire-drill logs are complete, (5) the parent handbook covers all required policy sections, and (6) the physical environment is free of hazards such as unsecured cleaning supplies and missing outlet covers.

What happens if a Kansas childcare center fails an inspection?

Criminal: a violation of article 5 of chapter 65 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $50, and each day the person fails or refuses to comply is a separate offense (K.S.A. 65-514). Civil fine: KDHE may assess a civil fine not exceeding $500 per violation of statute or rules and regulations that significantly and adversely affect the health, safety, or sanitation of children, with each day of a continuing violation a separate violation (K.S.A. 65-526). Administrative: KDHE may limit, modify, suspend, or revoke a license or temporary permit for violations (K.S.A. 65-523; emergency suspension prior to hearing under K.S.A. 65-524); a licensee who is a repeat (three or more times) violator or who is found to have contributed to the death or serious bodily harm of a child shall be permanently prohibited from applying for a new license or seeking employment under another licensee (K.S.A. 65-504(e)). Willful and knowing failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is a class B misdemeanor (K.S.A. 38-2223).

How can I prepare my Kansas childcare center for an unannounced inspection?

Use the /inspection-check tool on TotReady to run a pre-inspection self-audit. Key areas: confirm all staff ratios are met and documented, verify CPR and background-check expiration dates, audit every child file for completeness, check that fire-drill logs are current, and walk the facility for physical hazards (unsecured chemicals, missing outlet covers, blocked exits).

Which handbook sections do Kansas inspectors verify?

Kansas inspectors check that the parent handbook includes these required sections: Hours of Operation, Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy, Illness and Exclusion Policy, Medication Administration Policy. Each must be present and comply with the cited Kansas administrative code.