Kansas Childcare Licensing Requirements (2026)

Kansas childcare centers must include a written Hours of Operation section in the parent handbook (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 childcare centers must include a written Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy section in the parent handbook (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 childcare centers must include a written Illness and Exclusion Policy section in the parent handbook (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 childcare centers must include a written Medication Administration Policy section in the parent handbook (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)

Kansas childcare centers must include a written Emergency Procedures section in the parent handbook (Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.) per K.A.R. 28-4-127 (Telephone; emergency medical treatment; reporting requirements - posted emergency numbers, written parental permission for emergency medical treatment under (b)(1)(A), reporting illnesses/injuries/deaths) and K.A.R. 28-4-128 (Safety and emergency procedures - written emergency plan, monthly fire drills and monthly tornado drills under (a)(6), first-aid supplies under (c)).

K.A.R. 28-4-127 (Telephone; emergency medical treatment; reporting requirements - posted emergency numbers, written parental permission for emergency medical treatment under (b)(1)(A), reporting illnesses/injuries/deaths) and K.A.R. 28-4-128 (Safety and emergency procedures - written emergency plan, monthly fire drills and monthly tornado drills under (a)(6), first-aid supplies under (c))

Kansas childcare centers must include a written Arrival and Departure Procedures section in the parent handbook (Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees.) per K.A.R. 28-4-426(e)(1) (daily attendance record) & K.A.R. 28-4-426(e)(2)(D) (persons authorized to remove the child from the facility); see also K.A.R. 28-4-123 (Parental access during all hours of operation) [umbrella; no dedicated sign-in/sign-out rule].

K.A.R. 28-4-426(e)(1) (daily attendance record) & K.A.R. 28-4-426(e)(2)(D) (persons authorized to remove the child from the facility); see also K.A.R. 28-4-123 (Parental access during all hours of operation) [umbrella; no dedicated sign-in/sign-out rule]

Which agency regulates childcare licensing in Kansas?

Childcare licensing in Kansas is regulated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, Child Care Licensing Program. Official licensing information is published at https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/280/Child-Care-Licensing.

How many handbook policy sections does Kansas require?

Kansas requires at least 13 mandatory policy sections in a licensed center's parent handbook, each backed by a specific state regulatory citation.

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 happens if a Kansas center is out of compliance?

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).