Kentucky Childcare Daycare Inspection Prep (2026)

A child-care center shall allow the cabinet or its designee, another agency with regulatory authority, and a parent of an enrolled child unannounced access during hours of operation

922 KAR 2:090

inspections of licensed centers are unannounced (922 KAR 2:090).

922 KAR 2:090

Where a license is granted after the seven-year period referenced in 922 KAR 2:090 Section 5(a), the licensee serves a two-year probationary period during which the center shall be inspected no less than semi-annually.

in 922 KAR 2

Civil penalties under 922 KAR 2:190 (authorized by KRS 199.990): Type A violation (creates harm or imminent danger) — no more than $1,000 for each occurrence, correctable within five (5) working days

under 922 KAR 2

Type B violation (concern or risk, not imminent danger) — $250 for each occurrence, with a corrective action plan due within fifteen (15) days.

15

Monetary credits: $50 if no violations were cited during the three years prior, $50 for a timely accepted corrective action plan, and a 25 percent credit of the civil penalty for waiving appeal rights.

922 KAR 2:090, Sections 16–17

Continued or serious noncompliance can result in denial, suspension, probation, or revocation of the license (922 KAR 2:090, Sections 16–17).

922 KAR 2:090, Sections 16–17

Appeal rights via 922 KAR 2:090 Sections 19–20 (form OIG-DRCC-02).

via 922 KAR 2

During a Kentucky childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Infant (0–12 months) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:5 (max group size 10, Type I centers only).

During a Kentucky childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Toddler (12–24 months) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:6 (max group size 12, Type I centers only).

During a Kentucky childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Toddler/2-year-old (24–36 months) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:10 (max group size 20, Type I centers only).

During a Kentucky childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Preschool (3 to 4 years) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:12 (max group size 24, Type I centers only).

During a Kentucky childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Preschool (4 to 5 years) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:14 (max group size 28, Type I centers only).

During a Kentucky childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the School-age (5 to 7 years) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:15 (max group size 30, Type I centers only).

During a Kentucky childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the School-age (7 years and older), full-day age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:20 (max group size 30, Type I centers only).

During a Kentucky childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the School-age (7 years and older), before/after school only age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:25 (max group size 30, Type I centers only).

Kentucky 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 922 KAR 2:090, Section 1(13) (definition of nontraditional hours: 7 p.m.–5 a.m. weekdays / 7 p.m. Fri–5 a.m. Mon) & Section 6(7)(e) (nontraditional hours specified on the license).

922 KAR 2:090, Section 1(13) (definition of nontraditional hours: 7 p.m.–5 a.m. weekdays / 7 p.m. Fri–5 a.m. Mon) & Section 6(7)(e) (nontraditional hours specified on the license)

Kentucky 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 922 KAR 2:120, Section 2 (Child Care Services; behavior management — prohibits corporal/physical discipline and loud, profane, threatening, frightening, humiliating, or abusive language; specific prohibition at Section 2(11)).

922 KAR 2:120, Section 2 (Child Care Services; behavior management — prohibits corporal/physical discipline and loud, profane, threatening, frightening, humiliating, or abusive language; specific prohibition at Section 2(11))

Kentucky inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Illness and Exclusion Policy policy (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per 922 KAR 2:120, Section 7 (First Aid and Medicine; a child showing signs of a communicable illness shall not be admitted to the regular child-care program) — communicable-disease reporting per 922 KAR 2:090, Section 13(1)(a) (which reports pursuant to 902 KAR 2:020 and to the local health department).

922 KAR 2:120, Section 7 (First Aid and Medicine; a child showing signs of a communicable illness shall not be admitted to the regular child-care program) — communicable-disease reporting per 922 KAR 2:090, Section 13(1)(a) (which reports pursuant to 902 KAR 2:020 and to the local health department)

Kentucky inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Medication Administration Policy policy (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per 922 KAR 2:120, Section 7 (First Aid and Medicine; medication requires written parental/prescriber request and must be administered per label directions).

922 KAR 2:120, Section 7 (First Aid and Medicine; medication requires written parental/prescriber request and must be administered per label directions)

How often does Kentucky inspect licensed childcare centers?

A child-care center shall allow the cabinet or its designee, another agency with regulatory authority, and a parent of an enrolled child unannounced access during hours of operation; inspections of licensed centers are unannounced (922 KAR 2:090). Where a license is granted after the seven-year period referenced in 922 KAR 2:090 Section 5(a), the licensee serves a two-year probationary period during which the center shall be inspected no less than semi-annually. (Note: contrary to the draft, the 2-year probationary/semi-annual-inspection rule is not a blanket requirement for all newly licensed centers — it is tied to that re-issuance scenario.)

What do Kentucky inspectors check during a childcare inspection?

Kentucky 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 Kentucky childcare center fails an inspection?

Civil penalties under 922 KAR 2:190 (authorized by KRS 199.990): Type A violation (creates harm or imminent danger) — no more than $1,000 for each occurrence, correctable within five (5) working days; Type B violation (concern or risk, not imminent danger) — $250 for each occurrence, with a corrective action plan due within fifteen (15) days. Monetary credits: $50 if no violations were cited during the three years prior, $50 for a timely accepted corrective action plan, and a 25 percent credit of the civil penalty for waiving appeal rights. Continued or serious noncompliance can result in denial, suspension, probation, or revocation of the license (922 KAR 2:090, Sections 16–17). Appeal rights via 922 KAR 2:090 Sections 19–20 (form OIG-DRCC-02).

How can I prepare my Kentucky 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 Kentucky inspectors verify?

Kentucky 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 Kentucky administrative code.