How to start a preschool in Kansas

Starting a preschool, daycare, or early-years setting in Kansas offers a rewarding opportunity to positively impact children and families while contributing to the economic vitality of your community. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is the primary licensing authority for child care facilities in the state, ensuring that all providers meet essential health, safety, and welfare standards. Navigating the licensing process, which includes orientation, training, background checks, and application submission, is a crucial first step. Aspiring founders should also be aware of potential local requirements from HOAs, city, or county building codes offices. By establishing a licensed facility, you not only provide much-needed high-quality care options but also have the potential to enrol as a DCF (Department for Children and Families) provider, making your services accessible to families receiving Child Care Assistance. This guide will walk you through the essential steps and considerations for opening a successful early learning environment in Kansas.

Regulations

Health safety: Health and safety are paramount in Kansas child care facilities. During the mandatory KDHE orientation, applicants will learn about essential health and safety practices, including safe sleep, proper storage of hazardous materials, emergency procedures, and confidentiality of child records. Required Health and Safety training topics, as well as Pediatric CPR & First Aid, must be completed by directors, assistant teachers, and at least one person per unit in child care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs. Family child care home providers must complete initial and annual training. Facilities are expected to have policies in place for illness exclusion, medication administration, and incident reporting to safeguard children's well-being. Detailed regulations are found in the specific regulation books for each facility type.

Licensing overview: To open a child care facility in Kansas, you must first complete a mandatory orientation and required training programs through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Once these prerequisites are met, you will submit a comprehensive application, which includes undergoing background checks. An application fee is also required. Depending on the specific type of facility, additional approvals, such as Fire Safety, may be necessary. KDHE conducts inspections to ensure ongoing compliance with health, safety, and welfare regulations. Licensure is mandatory for most care providers in Kansas, regardless of the motivation for providing care or payment received, with specific exemptions for very small, irregular, or relative-based care.

Licensing authority: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)

Staff qualifications: Anyone caring for children in licensed facilities in Kansas, including directors, assistant teachers, and family child care home providers, must undergo orientation and training programs as mandated by KDHE. Initial Health and Safety training, including medication administration, must be completed no later than 30 days after application or before having sole responsibility for children. All program directors, teaching staff, and family child care home providers must also obtain annual clock hours of approved KDHE training that relates to their work. Background checks are a critical component for all applicants and employees. The 'Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals in Kansas' outlines approved content for in-service training.

Facility requirements: Specific facility requirements for licensed child care centres, preschools, and Head Start programs in Kansas are detailed in the KDHE regulations. These typically cover aspects such as indoor and outdoor square footage per child, ensuring adequate space for play and learning. Fire and safety codes are rigorously enforced, requiring approval before licensure. While specific ratios for fixtures like toilets and sinks are not explicitly detailed in the provided sources, it is a general pattern in childcare regulations across jurisdictions for facility requirements to include appropriate numbers of such amenities based on the number of children served. Local city or county building codes may also impose additional requirements.

Curriculum requirements: The provided sources do not specify a mandated curriculum framework for early years settings in Kansas. However, the KDHE orientation covers the 'importance of daily activities' and the 'importance of outdoor play', suggesting an expectation for structured learning and physical activity. Annual in-service training for directors, teaching staff, and family child care home providers must relate to their work, aligning with the 'Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals in Kansas'. While a specific framework like EYFS or NQF is not mentioned, any curriculum, such as the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), would need to demonstrate how it supports child development and aligns with general early childhood education best practices and the health and safety guidelines set forth by KDHE.

Startup costs

Startup costs in Kansas can vary significantly. A small home-based family child care operation might range from $15,000 to $50,000, covering initial licensing fees, minor renovations, safety equipment, and basic supplies. A larger, purpose-built center enrolling 60-100 children could easily incur costs between $150,000 and $250,000 or more, accounting for significant property lease/purchase, extensive renovations, specialized equipment, full staffing, and comprehensive marketing. Monthly operating costs are primarily driven by staff salaries, rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, and ongoing supplies. Enrolling as a DCF provider can influence revenue stability.

Timeline

1. Complete Required Orientation (1-2 weeks): Before submitting any application, you must schedule and attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) child care licensing program in your county. This orientation covers licensing regulations, emergency procedures, behaviour management, daily activities, health and safety practices, and confidentiality. It is a critical first step to understand the responsibilities of operating a licensed child care facility in Kansas, and you should not submit your application until this is complete. Contact your county's child care licensing program to schedule.

2. Complete Background Checks and Training (2-4 weeks): All applicants, and any household members aged 10 or older, must undergo extensive background checks to ensure eligibility. Concurrently, you must complete the required Health and Safety training, which includes medication administration, and Pediatric CPR & First Aid. These trainings are crucial for ensuring the well-being of children under your care and must be completed within 30 days of application submission or before you assume sole responsibility for children. This step also involves ensuring all staff meet these training requirements.

3. Submit Application and Pay Fees (1-2 weeks for submission): After completing orientation and ensuring all background checks and training requirements are met, you can submit your application to the KDHE for the appropriate license type (e.g., Child Care Center, Family Child Care Home). Application forms are available online, and you can apply through the Child Care Provider Portal. A licensing fee is required with the application. Be aware that some counties may also impose their own licensing fees. Ensure all supporting documents, such as fire safety approvals if applicable, are included.

4. Facility Inspection and Approval (4-8 weeks): Upon receipt of your application, KDHE will conduct an inspection of your facility to ensure it meets all state health, safety, and facility requirements. This includes verifying compliance with square footage requirements, fire safety codes, and general operating standards. This step may involve a surveyor visiting your premises. You may also need to verify that your facility complies with local HOA, city, or county building codes. Provisional licenses or temporary permits may be issued while full licensing is processed, but permanent licensure is needed to become a DCF-enrolled provider.

5. Receive License and Open (Ongoing): Once your facility passes inspection and all requirements are met, KDHE will issue your permanent license. At this point, you can officially open your early-years setting. Ongoing compliance with KDHE regulations is mandatory, and facilities are subject to periodic inspections. Additionally, consider enrolling as a DCF Enrolled Provider with the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). This allows you to accept Child Care Assistance payments, making your services more accessible to families and potentially enhancing your programme's financial viability.

6. Become a DCF Enrolled Provider (4-6 weeks (after KDHE licensure)): Once you have a current, permanent KDHE license, you can apply to become a DCF (Department for Children and Families) Enrolled Provider. This enables you to accept Child Care Assistance payments, helping families afford your services. The process involves submitting an application, undergoing thorough background checks for yourself, household members over 10, and volunteers, and ensuring you meet all DCF provider requirements, including maintaining attendance and payment records. A temporary permit from KDHE does not qualify you for DCF enrolment.

Next steps: explore the IPC curriculum, read about preschool enrollment, or browse all start-a-preschool guides.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license to provide child care in Kansas?

Yes, in Kansas, most child care providers are required to obtain a license from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) regardless of the motivation for providing care or payment. However, there are specific exemptions. You do not need a license if you care for not more than two children unrelated to the provider for 20 hours a week or less, or if child care is provided on an irregular exchange basis between friends and neighbours. Care provided in the child’s own home or in the home of a child’s relative also typically does not require a KDHE license, though relative providers may still enrol with DCF under specific conditions.

What are the first steps to getting licensed in Kansas?

The very first step is to schedule and attend a mandatory orientation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) child care licensing program in your county. You should not submit an application before completing this orientation. During orientation, you will learn about licensing regulations, health and safety practices, emergency procedures, and your responsibilities. You can find your county contact on the KDHE website. After orientation, you will complete required trainings, such as Health and Safety training and Pediatric CPR & First Aid, and undergo background checks before submitting your application.

How do I become eligible to accept Child Care Assistance payments?

To accept Child Care Assistance payments from the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), you must first hold a current, permanent license from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Facilities with only a Temporary Permit are not considered licensed for DCF enrolment. Once you have your KDHE license, you will submit a separate application to become a DCF Enrolled Provider. This process requires background checks for yourself and all household members aged 10 and older. Enrolling allows families to use their Kansas Benefits Card EBT payments for your services, increasing accessibility to quality child care.

Are there ongoing training requirements for child care providers in Kansas?

Yes, continuous professional development is mandated for child care providers in Kansas. Directors, teaching staff, and family child care home providers are required to obtain annual clock hours of approved training from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). This in-service training must directly relate to the work of the participants and align with the 'Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals in Kansas'. These ongoing requirements ensure that providers stay updated on best practices in early childhood education, health, and safety, contributing to high-quality care environments for children across the state.

Can I open a child care facility in my home in Kansas?

Yes, Kansas regulations provide for several types of home-based child care, specifically 'Family Child Care Home' and 'Group Day Care Home' licenses. These are distinct from larger 'Child Care Center' or 'Preschool' licenses. To open one, you must still follow the same fundamental licensing process through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), including mandatory orientation, background checks, and specific training requirements. There may be specific regulations tailored to home environments concerning space, safety, and group sizes. Additionally, you should verify if your Homeowners Association (HOA), city, or county building codes have any restrictions or requirements for operating a business from a residential property.

What types of child care programs are licensed in Kansas?

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) licenses a variety of child care programs to ensure safety and quality. These include 'Child Care Centers', 'Preschools', and 'Head Start Child Care Centers' for structured early learning environments. For home-based care, there are 'Family Child Care Homes' and 'Group Day Care Homes'. Additionally, KDHE licenses programs for older children, such as 'School Age Programs', which encompass 'Day Reporting School Age Programs', 'Mobile Summer School Age Programs', and 'Outdoor Summer Camp School Age Programs'. 'Youth Development Programs' and 'Drop In Programs' are also among the licensed categories, reflecting the diverse needs for child care across the state.