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

 
  1. Family Child Care Home - A Family Child Care Home is one licensed caregiver who provides care for ten or fewer children under 16 years of age. The caregiver may provide care for a limited number of children under kindergarten age (seven children) and not more than three children under 18 months of age. This total includes children under 11 years of age related to the provider. (Refer to KDHE Regulations for Licensed Day Care Homes and Group Day Care Homes.)
     
  2. Group Child Care Home - A Group Child Care Home is one or two licensed caregivers who provide care in one location for 12 or fewer children (including the provider's own children) under 11 years of age. When the number of children exceeds the maximum number allowed for one adult, a second person 16 years of age or older shall be present. (Refer to KDHE Regulations for Licensed Day Care Homes and Group Day Care Homes.)
     
  3. Child Care Center - A Child Care Center is a facility which provides care and age appropriate educational and developmental activities for more than three hours and less than 24 hours per day. (Refer to KDHE Regulations for Preschools and Child Care Centers.)

    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.)

  1. 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:
     

    1. conducts sessions not exceeding three hours per session;
       

    2. does not enroll any child in more than one session per day;
       

    3. does not serve a meal; and
       

    4. 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.

  3. Public or Private Schools - A license is required in the following situations:
     

    1. A public or private school sponsored program which provides child care during the summer for school age children.
       

    2. 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.
       

    3. 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
       

    4. Child care programs caring for infants or toddlers.
       

  5. 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.
     

  6. 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:
     

    1. The DCF child care provider must also be a KEHS child care provider;
       
    2. KEHS shall have a written child care agreement with each child care provider. This written agreement shall include individualization of the child's needs and a transition plan for moving from DCF Child Care Subsidy to KEHS or visa versa, unless participating in the Kansas Early Head Start/Child Care Partnership program as identified by the referral from KEHS.

    3. DCF shall receive written communication from KEHS when a child should be determined eligible. Appendix, Item #C-20, Turnaround Communication Referral Form, shall be used in connection with the ES-3100 application form for KEHS families applying for child care assistance. If a KEHS child meets eligibility the child care plan shall be written for 12 months. See KEESM 7610(1) regarding eligibility periods for initial approvals. DCF and KEHS shall have written communication before and after this 12-month period.

      Note: A child being referred for child care assistance by KEHS must be determined eligible under current child care assistance regulations unless participating in the Kansas Early Head Start/Child Care Partnership program. With the exception of cooperation status, eligibility for these partnership participants will be determined by KEHS using KEHS eligibility standards. KEHS will send a referral that clearly indicates participation in the partnership program, and receipt of the referral will be considered verification that KEHS has made that determination. If there are no outstanding cooperation issues with referred families, eligibility will be approved based on the KEHS determination.
       

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.