Child Care Licensing

How to Become a Licensed Child Care Provider

Being a licensed child care provider can be a rewarding career path that can allow you to be your own boss while connecting with families in your community. In fact, for someone who loves kids, being a child care provider may not even feel like a job at all. Yet, if you are looking to start an in-home daycare, you may be unsure what steps you need to take, or what regulations you need to follow, in order to establish a legal at-home daycare service in your area. We are here to help guide you.

Become a Licensed Child Care Provider

• Work from home
• Set your own rates and hours
• Be your own boss
• Stay home with your children
• Follow your passion for working with kids!
• Grants may be available to you (location based)!

Financial Support Available Now

Child care is an in-demand profession right now and plenty of financial incentives are available to help new businesses get started.

• KCCTO has scholarships available to help you reach your training and education goals.
• Thanks to the Emporia Community Foundation, new providers in Wabaunsee Counties can receive up to $250 worth of health and safety equipment such as nap mats, fire extinguisher, pack n’ plays, etc.
• Thanks to Coffey County Economic Development, new providers in Coffey County can receive a $250 check to help offset start up costs.
• Thanks to the Council Grove Area Foundation, new providers in Morris County can receive up to $250 worth of health and safety equipment such as nap mats, fire extinguishers, pack n’ plays, etc.
• Thanks to the Emporia Community Foundation, new providers in Lyon and Chase Counties can received a $250 check for the purchase of health and safety equipment such as nap mats, fire extinguisher, pack n’ plays, etc.

Using Licensed Child Care

Using licensed child care has numerous benefits and consumer protections. Licensed child care facilities are inspected annually at a minimum to ensure they are meeting the minimum safety standards set forth by the Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC). Regulations require providers to be able to pass a background check, complete health and safety focused trainings, meet environmental safety standards, and more. Regulations for child care facilities help to ensure your child will be safe while in licensed care.

If you have questions about child care regulations, please reach out to our office at (620) 342-4864 ext. 5. If you have concerns about your child's daycare, please reach out to us or use the form below. Click the button below to review any licensed providers compliance history for the past three years.

 Benefits of Using Licensed Child Care

• Mandatory safe sleep training and practices
• First Aid/CPR Certification
• Balanced, nutritious meals
• Environmental safety requirements
• Annual inspections

Fingerprint Background Checks

Kansas law requires a comprehensive background check, including fingerprints, for each individual residing, working or regularly volunteering in a licensed child care home or working with children in a daycare center or school-age program. Providers must have their OCA number BEFORE fingerprinting can be done. This is required for both home providers and child care centers.

The Lyon County Environmental Health Department, 420 W. 15th Ave, Emporia, KS offers fingerprinting services by appointment. Appointments require 24-hour advance notice. Walk-ins will be accepted if there is availability, but there may be significant wait times.

The fee for fingerprints is $15. Please bring your payment and a government issued ID (Driver’s license/State ID/Passport) to your appointment.

Fingerprints are available for non-child care providers as well.

Call (620) 342-4864 ext. 5 to schedule your appointment.