The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Child Care Licensing Team shared the following message with licensed child care providers on Feb. 21. The following information may be useful for schools seeking to open licensed child care programs in summer or fall 2025: 

Providers, 

We are quickly approaching spring and want to provide you a reminder regarding submitting applications for summer and fall time programs in a timely manner. Please remember, applications should be submitted at least 90 days prior to your anticipated opening date. This will ensure KDHE is able to look over all required documentation and work with you to remedy any unforeseen circumstances should they arise. 

 Additional information to consider: 

• If you are planning to do any alterations or construction to a facility, please consult with your local licensing specialist beforehand to ensure the space is being constructed in a manner that is conducive to child care regulations and requirements. 
• Orientation is required to process all initial applications. If you have not attended an orientation session, STOP and contact the Local Licensing Specialist for your county before continuing with your application. 
• A recent fire inspection with approval from the Office of the State Fire Marshal will be required. 
• Background Checks are required to work in a child facility. Please ensure individuals who are planning to work in your facility are obtaining their fingerprints as soon as they are requested by KDHE when you have entered the application process. Failure to obtain fingerprints can delay the opening of your facility and cause staffing difficulties to your business. 

You can find all applications as well as other important resources for planning the opening of your child care program on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Child Care Licensing website. 

Child care is vital to communities across the state. We want to do our best to provide efficient and quality processing of applications so you can continue to serve Kansas children and families through safe and healthy child care environments. Click here to submit any questions about child care licensing to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Child Care Licensing team.  

Upcoming opportunities to learn more and engage 

Two upcoming events will give school personnel the opportunity to learn more about operating licensed child care and share feedback about child care in Kansas.  

At 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, the All In For Kansas Kids monthly webinar will feature several schools discussing their experiences operating licensed child care facilities. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas State Department of Education, Office of the State Fire Marshal and Child Care Aware of Kansas will also share resources. Panelists will share bright spots and lessons learned to help schools better understand the process of operating licensed child care, and the supports available in the process.  Click here to register for the March 12, noon to 1 p.m. webinar.  

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Child Care Licensing System Improvement Team and the team supporting the All In For Kansas Kids statewide strategic plan for early childhood will be hosting a series of regional events over the course of the next year. The goal of these roundtables is to engage communities in strengthening child care in Kansas.  The South Central Regional Roundtable will be 6:30-8 p.m., on Wednesday, March 12, at Child Start, 1002 S. Oliver in Wichita. Click here to register for the South Central regional roundtable event. These regional roundtable events are free and open to the public. Contact Meghan Kluth, mkluth@ku.edu, with questions.  

The Kansas State Department of Education is glad to support schools as they consider operating licensed child care to serve their communities. The Child Care Aware of Kansas Community Outreach and Engagement Team and a county's local child care licensing specialist are two excellent starting points in this process.  

School leaders can contact Amanda Petersen, KSDE director of early childhood,  Amanda.Petersen@ksde.gov, to discuss plans or request support.