Are you thinking of starting a home or center-based child care program? Are you wondering if this is the right career for you or where to start? There are many questions when starting a child care business, so let us help you! If you are questioning if family child care is the right career path for you, to check out our helpful “Let’s Get Started” document. It is full of information about the field of family child care. It also contains a helpful self-evaluation checklist to help you figure out if this is a good option for you and your family.
If you are thinking of starting a child care center/preschool, we can assist you with that, too! Contact us today at 785-357-5171 or 877-678-2548 toll free and select option 2 for free assistance in developing your business, program and management plans. You can also email your questions and requests to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. America’s most trusted child care source, Child Care Aware® of America, also has important information about designing a budget for the cost of running child care in your area, how to staff your program, and other helpful financial and business resources. Click here to visit their website.
Additional steps to complete prior to opening a new child care program include:
- Learning about the regulations required to run a licensed home or center-based child care program is key to determining if this is the right step for you. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) child care regulations will help you determine if the building/home you plan to use is compatible, what you need for staffing, what pre-service education requirements must be met, and other important programming information. Click here to view the regulation book for the type of child care program you are thinking of opening.
- The next step is to attend a child care licensing orientation meeting. This is not only a requirement, it is a very helpful step in answering all your licensing questions. Click here to find the child care licensing office and surveyor(s) for your area. They will help you enroll in a local orientation meeting.
- Before you apply for your license, you will also want to make sure you have completed all the required pre-service coursework. Depending on your location, your access to community-based classes will vary; however, there are online options for most of the required coursework. Click here to visit the KDHE page that lists the required classes by subject matter.
To break it down, this means you need:
• CPR and First Aid (often offered together)
• Foundations of Quality Child Care, Part 1 and Part 2 (All of the health and safety courses listed below are covered in Foundations of Quality Child Care, Parts 1 and 2.)
• Child Abuse and Neglect with Head Trauma
• Safe Slumber (Creating a Safe Sleep Environment)
• Foundations of Basic Child Development
• Prevention and Control of Childhood Infectious Diseases
• Medication Administration in Child Care
• Emergency Preparedness for Child Care Providers
• Keeping Children Safe: Environment and Transportation Safety
• Happy Meals: Safe Food Practices and Allergy Awareness
Click here to view upcoming classes being offered by Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas. To view the statewide training calendar that lists locations and online options for enrolling in this coursework, click here.
- Prior to your licensing application, you will also need to schedule a visit from your local fire marshal. For more information about what this involves and the forms you need, click here.
- You will learn at the licensing orientation meeting that you will need to submit a Supervision Plan, Safe Sleep Policy, Disaster Plan and your Discipline Policy with your application. You will want to refer to the licensing regulation book to know what all needs to be included in each. If you need additional assistance, feel free to contact us at 785-357-5171, 877-678-2548 toll free, and select option 2. You can also email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- Once you have completed these steps, and have your home/center ready for the inspection, you will want to complete your online application. Click here to link to the online application.
- Once you have received your temporary license, you are allowed to begin enrolling children in your program. Be sure to contact us so we can help you set up your business profile and begin referring families to your program! You can also do this online by clicking here.
- Enroll in a Child and Adult Care Food Program to receive monthly monetary reimbursements for serving nutritious meals. Learn more about this program and how to enroll by clicking here.
- Enroll in the Kansas Department for Children and Families Subsidy Program. This program helps families pay for their child care costs. Click here to learn more about this program, download the provider handbook and/or apply.
Additional Resources:
Child Care Weather Watch
Click here to view the Child Care Weather Watch brochure that offers weather guidelines for children and other helpful weather-related information.
How You Can Help Your Crying Baby
Babies can cry a lot. Crying is the only way that they are able to tell you what they need. They are not crying to be disobedient. They are simply too young to understand your words. When babies cry, they are sending you a message that they are either hungry, sleepy, need a diaper change or they are just uncomfortable. Learn more about the reasons babies may cry, ways you can help, and how to cope by and to visit the Period of Purple Crying® website, click here.
Safe Sleep
Babies under the age of 1 are safest when they sleep alone, on their back and in a crib (ABC.) to view a list of safe sleep tips. You can also click here to watch a video and learn more about how to keep your infant safe while sleeping. Visit the Safe Sleep Kansas website for more great information at www.safesleepkansas.org.
Regional News & Notes
This publication contains news, updates and other information specifically for child care programs within the counties of our service delivery area in eastern Kansas. A new edition is mailed and posted online each quarter. to view the latest Regional News for helpful information for you and your child care program.
Child Care Aware® News
This newsletter is specifically for child care providers in Kansas. It contains current state-wide and agency news for child care providers, helpful articles, a calendar of classes throughout the state, and much more. Be sure to click here and select “Child Care Topics” to sign up for the newsletter or read it now by .