Kansas Child Care Centers and Homes License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)
Quick answer
Center applications require orientation and fire safety approval.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How to get a child care centers and homes license in Kansas
Check the licensing authority
Board
Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Day cares are licensed, surveyed, and certified by the KOEC, with the assistance of DCF. ... As of July 1, 2026, these services are all operated by KOEC under 2025 HB 2045.
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Day Care Licensing and Surveying in Kansas
Official sourcePrepare your application
Apply with the agency
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Application Instructions for a New Facility Child Care Center, Preschool, or Head Start
Official sourceConfirm your next step with the agency
Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.
Open the official agency page
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Center applications require orientation and fire safety approval.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
An orientation is required to process the application. ... Facilities must have fire safety approval from the Kansas State Fire Marshal.Official source
Agency guidance
Center applications must arrive at least 90 days before the anticipated opening; care cannot start before a temporary permit or license.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Application for a license must be received at least 90 days before the anticipated opening date of the facility. ... The facility is not authorized to provide child care prior to receiving a temporary permit or license.Official source
Agency guidance
Local licensing services may charge a fee; ask the local licensing specialist for the amount.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
They may charge a local fee. ... Contact your local Licensing Specialist to determine the amount of any local fee.Official source
Agency guidance
Licensing operations transferred from KDHE to KOEC on July 1, 2026.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Before KOEC took over day care licensing operations, KDHE enforced regulatory safeguards for the state. ... As of July 1, 2026, these services are all operated by KOEC under 2025 HB 2045.Official source
What are the Kansas child care centers and homes license requirements?
Education
For center applications by individuals who are not incorporated, each applicant must be a high school graduate or have a GED.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Individual or individuals that is/are not incorporated ... Each applicant must be a high school graduate or the equivalent (GED) to apply for a license.Official source
How do I renew my child care centers and homes license in Kansas?
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
How much does a child care centers and homes license cost in Kansas?
Application fee
Beginning July 1, 2025, there are no application fees for opening a child care facility.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Beginning July 1, 2025, there are no application fees for opening a child care facility.Official source
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
How do I look up a child care centers and homes license in Kansas?
License lookup link: Not verified yet. Check the licensing agency or browse license lookup by state.
Which official sources support this guide?
Official sources and verification (9)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
For center applications by individuals who are not incorporated, each applicant must be a high school graduate or have a GED.
For center applications by individuals who are not incorporated, each applicant must be a high school graduate or have a GED.
Individual or individuals that is/are not incorporated ... Each applicant must be a high school graduate or the equivalent (GED) to apply for a license.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Beginning July 1, 2025, there are no application fees for opening a child care facility.
0
Beginning July 1, 2025, there are no application fees for opening a child care facility.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Center applications require orientation and fire safety approval.
Center applications require orientation and fire safety approval.
An orientation is required to process the application. ... Facilities must have fire safety approval from the Kansas State Fire Marshal.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Center applications must arrive at least 90 days before the anticipated opening; care cannot start before a temporary permit or license.
Center applications must arrive at least 90 days before the anticipated opening; care cannot start before a temporary permit or license.
Application for a license must be received at least 90 days before the anticipated opening date of the facility. ... The facility is not authorized to provide child care prior to receiving a temporary permit or license.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Local licensing services may charge a fee; ask the local licensing specialist for the amount.
Local licensing services may charge a fee; ask the local licensing specialist for the amount.
They may charge a local fee. ... Contact your local Licensing Specialist to determine the amount of any local fee.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Licensing operations transferred from KDHE to KOEC on July 1, 2026.
Licensing operations transferred from KDHE to KOEC on July 1, 2026.
Before KOEC took over day care licensing operations, KDHE enforced regulatory safeguards for the state. ... As of July 1, 2026, these services are all operated by KOEC under 2025 HB 2045.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC)
Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC)
Day cares are licensed, surveyed, and certified by the KOEC, with the assistance of DCF. ... As of July 1, 2026, these services are all operated by KOEC under 2025 HB 2045.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://klrd.gov/2026/09/08/day-care-licensing-and-surveying-in-kansas/
Day Care Licensing and Surveying in KansasOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/749
Application Instructions for a New Facility Child Care Center, Preschool, or Head StartOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, required hours, exam, renewal, continuing education — see the official agency.
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Family and center child care in neighboring states
Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Official sources (2)
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