Thinking about starting a child care business in your home?  Here is some useful information to get you started!

First things first - attend an orientation held the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Health Department at 1900 E. 9th Street in Wichita for Sedgwick County Residents.  Live in another county?  Click here to find the contact information for your county.

You will receive a copy of all regulations and forms at this meeting.  It will take 60-90 days to receive License after you mail the forms and fees in.

What are the fees to start a family child care home?

1. You will be responsible for paying KDHE for you license:

            Licensed Family Child Care Home - $15.00*

            Registered Family Child Care Home - $5.00*

2. You will need to pay the City of Wichita Department of Environmental Services*:

3. In addition, you will need to obtain a home occupation license purchased from the City of Wichita (or you local city government office) for $35.00*.

*All rates are subject to change and are not decided by the Child Care Association.  Please check with each organization for current rates.  Listed rates are for the Wichita area and were updated 3/27/06.

What is the difference between a Licensed and Registered Family Child Care Home?

Registered Family Child Care Home -

• Can care for up to 6 children at one time (within provider/child ratios)
• Perform a self assessment of your home business
• A Health Nurse visit will be made only if there is a complaint against you.
• You must take First Aid
• You must attend 5 hours of in-service initially (your first year)

Licensed Family Child Care Home -

• Can care for up to 10 children at one time (within provider/child ratios)
• A Health Nurse from Environmental Services will make a visit yearly at time of renewal.
• You must take CPR, First Aid, and Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting/Signs & Symptoms of Childhood Illness.
• You must take 15 hours of in-service training initially (your first year)
• You must take 5 hours of in-service training every year

After you have filed for your registration/license you should next attend Child Start's Tools of the Trade I & II workshops.  These workshops give providers the tools and information they need to run a successful child care business.  They are free to new providers and you will receive 5 in-service training hours upon the completion of both workshops. 

After you have received your registration/license you are eligible for many of the useful services that Child Start provides to providers including:

• Child Care Referral - Free advertising for child care providers.  We receive over 6,000 calls a year from parents needing child care and give them a list of providers that match their needs.
• Child Care Food Program (CACFP) - A program that reimburses family child care providers for the nutritious meals and snacks they serve to children in their care.
• Much more - visit the Provider Home Page for information about all of the services Child Start provides to child care providers.

Need personal help starting your family child care business?  Contact Jackie Tanner, Child Start's Family Child Care Specialist.