Kentucky Childcare Licensing
Kentucky Childcare Square Footage Requirements (2026)
Indoor activity space is a measured Kentucky licensing requirement: a center's licensed capacity is capped by the usable indoor square footage available per child. Kentucky requires a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of indoor usable space per child (exclusive of kitchen, bathroom, hallways, and storage) and a minimum of sixty (60) square feet of outdoor play space per child for centers, with the same 35 sq ft per child indoor standard applying to family child-care homes (922 KAR 2:120 Section 4(6) and 4(20)(b); 922 KAR 2:100 Section 12(12)).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamKentucky Square Footage Requirements: The Specifics
Kentucky requires a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of indoor usable space per child (exclusive of kitchen, bathroom, hallways, and storage) and a minimum of sixty (60) square feet of outdoor play space per child for centers, with the same 35 sq ft per child indoor standard applying to family child-care homes (922 KAR 2:120 Section 4(6) and 4(20)(b)
922 KAR 2
A Kentucky certified family child-care home may care for no more than six (6) unrelated children at any one time, plus up to four (4) related children for a maximum capacity of ten (10)
10
an assistant is required if the provider cares for more than four (4) infants or more than six (6) children under age six (922 KAR 2:100 Section 10(3),(4)).
922 KAR 2:100 Section 10(3),(4)
Kentucky sets maximum group sizes for Type I child-care centers by age band: infants 10, toddlers 12-24 months 12, toddlers 24-36 months 20, preschool 3-4 years 24, preschool 4-5 years 28, and school-age (5-7 years) 30 (922 KAR 2:120 Section 2(2)).
922 KAR 2:120 Section 2(2)
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Kentucky Square Footage Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How much indoor space per child does Kentucky require?
Kentucky requires a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of indoor usable space per child (exclusive of kitchen, bathroom, hallways, and storage) and a minimum of sixty (60) square feet of outdoor play space per child for centers, with the same 35 sq ft per child indoor standard applying to family child-care homes (922 KAR 2:120 Section 4(6) and 4(20)(b); 922 KAR 2:100 Section 12(12)).
Does Kentucky require outdoor play space too?
Kentucky requires a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of indoor usable space per child (exclusive of kitchen, bathroom, hallways, and storage) and a minimum of sixty (60) square feet of outdoor play space per child for centers, with the same 35 sq ft per child indoor standard applying to family child-care homes (922 KAR 2:120 Section 4(6) and 4(20)(b); 922 KAR 2:100 Section 12(12)).
What space is excluded when calculating capacity in Kentucky?
Most states exclude hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, offices, and storage from the usable indoor activity space used to compute capacity. Confirm the exact exclusions in the cited Kentucky rule above.
Kentucky childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Kentucky administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General — Division of Regulated Child Care (DRCC), which licenses and investigates complaints against licensed child-care centers and certified family child-care homes; child-care standards developed in coordination with the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) Division of Child Care before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.