10020 Types of Providers - Most regulated (licensed) and some non-regulated legally exempt providers may be enrolled by DCF to receive payment for services provided for DCF eligible children.
10021 Regulated Providers - Licensing of child care providers in the State of Kansas is required under K.S.A. 65-501 to 65-531, as amended. See http://www.kdheks.gov/bcclr/regs/childcareliclaws/Law.pdf. Under this statute, it is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or association to give care to a child under sixteen (16) years of age, not related by blood, marriage, or adoption, outside his or her own home when unattended by parent or guardian without having a license or temporary permit issued by the Secretary of Health and Environment.
10021.1 Licensed Providers
Preschool
- A Preschool is a facility which provides learning experiences for
children who have not attained the age of eligibility to enter kindergarten
as prescribed in K.S.A. 72-1107 and any amendments thereto, and who
are 30 months of age or older. The facility:
conducts sessions
not exceeding three hours per session;
does not enroll
any child in more than one session per day;
does not serve
a meal; and
may have fewer
than 13 children and be licensed as a preschool if the program
and facility meet preschool regulations.
The term "preschool" shall include educational preschools,
Montessori schools, nursery schools, church-sponsored preschools,
and cooperatives. (Refer to KDHE Regulations for Preschools and
Child Care Centers. Information specific to Preschools is included
under K.A.R. 28-4-434, 435.) Only regulated (licensed) preschools
are eligible to be enrolled as a DCF Provider.
Public or Private Schools
- A license is required in the following situations:
A public or private
school sponsored program which provides child care during the
summer for school age children.
School age programs
operated or sponsored by an agency other than a public school
which offers before and after school or summer child care programs.
Programs for
children who are not school age and need child care while the
parent is attending school or working. This excludes pre-kindergarten
academic programs; and
Child care programs
caring for infants or toddlers.
Summer Camp -
Summer Camp is a summer program in which school age children are enrolled
for more than three hours daily for more than two consecutive weeks.
(Refer to KDHE Regulations for Preschools and Child Care Centers.
Information specific to summer programs for school age children is
under K.A.R. 28-4-411.) Only licensed programs are eligible to enroll
as a DCF provider.
Head Start Programs - Head
Start is a federal program that serves the educational, psychological
and health needs of low-income preschool children and their families.
Programs are designed to include pre-school activities, lunch and/or
an extended child care program. See http://www.ksheadstart.org/
DCF can make payment for child care services ONLY for the extended
child care program. Head Start programs may or may not be licensed
depending upon the sponsor of the program. (Refer to KDHE Regulations
for Preschools and Child Care Centers.) Only licensed programs are
eligible to enroll as a DCF provider.
NOTE: A State administered quality initiative
using Head Start and Early Head Start sites began in State Fiscal
Year 1999. Infants, toddlers and preschoolers will be determined eligible
by the Early Head Start/Head Start agencies for full-day, full year
services. Child care subsidy is not utilized for this initiative unless
specifically addressed below. Coordination will be necessary between
the local DCF offices and the EHS/HS agencies. See 1728.
Kansas Early Head Start (KEHS) Programs pay for child care for a child
enrolled in the program. However, since there has been an increase
in the number of employed families over the years, there is an even
greater need for child care assistance. Therefore, when a newly enrolled
child enters KEHS, the family may be able to access DCF Child Care
Subsidy when the KEHS Program does not have any child care openings
and the following criteria is considered:
Drop-in Care - Drop in care is a school-age program in which the operator permits children and youth to arrive at and depart from the program at their own volition and at unscheduled times. To enroll as a DCF provider, Drop-In programs must be licensed as a School Age Program or a Child Care Center.