New Centers, Preschools and Programs

Orientation training


Douglas County residents who want to operate a child care center  or preschool need to attend a Child Care Licensing orientation class. The class is a requirement before an application can be submitted.

To take the training:


  • Call the Health Department at 785-843-3060.
  • A child care surveyor will do a walk through consultation of your potential center before the training.
  • Cost is $40 plus an applicable County Fee of $100 ($140 total), and payment is required in advance. 
  • Classes are held as needed.
Center training
  1. Training
  2. Resources
You must document training by having a certificate of attendance with training date.

Pediatric First Aid and Pediatric CPR Training Classes


Resources for Training


Licensing Fees for Child Care Centers, Preschools and School-age programs


Number of children Initial fee Annual fee
1-100 children $150 $150
101+ children $300 $300

Amendment visit to Center/Preschool — $50
You can also submit this recurring payment each year using this form.

Licensing Fees for Drop-in Programs for School-age Children

Number of children Initial fee Annual fee
1-100 children $200 $200
100+ children $400 $400

Amendment visit to Drop-in Program — $50
You can also submit this recurring payment each year using this form.

Staff/Child Ratio for Centers and Preschools


Age of children Minimum Staff/Child ratio Maximum Number 
of children per unit
Infants 1 to 3 9
Infants to 6 yrs 1 to 4 (max 2 infants) 8 (max. 4 infants)
Toddlers (12 months to 2/12 yrs
if walking alone)
 1 to 5 10
2 years to 3 years 1 to 7 14
2 1/2 years to school age 1 to 10 20
3 years to school age 1 to 12 24
Kindergarten enrollees 1 to 14 28
School age 1 to 16 32

Staff/Child Ratio for School-age Programs

Age of Children Ratio Number of children per unit
School age 1 to 15 for qualified staff Determined by square footage 
(35 sq. ft. per child)
School age 1 to 30 for each group leader Determined by square footage
(35 sq. ft. per child)

Staff/Child Ratio for Drop-in Programs for School-age Programs

Age of Children Ratio Number of Children per unit
School age NA NA

Documents

  1. Checklist for Children's Files — Centers (PDF)
  2. Checklist for Children's Files — School Age Program
  3. Checklist for Staff Files — Centers (PDF)
  4. Checklist for Staff Files — School Age Programs
  5. Diapering regulations
  6. Disaster Plan for Day Care Home-Child Care Center (PDF)
  7. Emergency Information and Phone Numbers (PDF)
  8. Reportable Diseases in Kansas (PDF)
  9. Weather Watch (PDF)

How-to Videos