Kentucky State Requirements

Qualifications:
Staff: Must be at least 18.

Provider/Child Ratio:
Age Range     Ratios for Center Based Care in Kentucky State
6 weeks     (5:1)
Toddlers     (6:1)
2 - 3 years     (10:1)
3 - 4 years     (12:1)
4 - 5 years     (14:1)
5 - 7 years     (15:1)
7 years and older     (25:1) 1 staff for 25 children (for before and after school) - 1 staff for 20 children (full day of care)

Age Range     Ratios for Kentucky Small Family Child Care Homes
Number of Children Allowed:     4-6 (plus 4 children related to
provider)
Maximum Number of Children to One Provider:     Up to 10, with 4 children related
to the provider
Provider's Own Children Counted:     Yes, if under age 6
Maximum Number of Infants/Toddlers to One Provider:     4 under 1-yr

Age Range     Ratios for Kentucky Large Family Child Care Homes
Number of Children Allowed:     7-12
Ratio of Children to One Provider:     5:1 for under age 1-yr
6:1 for 1-2-yrs
10:1 for 2-3 yrs
12:1 for 3-4 yrs
14:1 for 4-5 yrs
15:1 for 5-7 yrs
Provider's Own Children Counted:     Yes, if care is provided to them

To apply for a license to operate a child day care facility, residential child caring facility, a child-placing agency or a certification for a certified child care home please contact the Division of Regulated Child Care at  (502) 564-7962.

Child day care facilities can be licensed as either Type I facilities or Type II facilities. If care is provided in a dwelling for 13 or more children or in a non-dwelling for four or more children, the facility is a Type I. If care is provided in a dwelling (which is your home) for up to 12 children, the facility is considered a Type II. The fee for initial licensing for both Type I and Type II facilities is $50. The annual license renewal fee is $25.

The licensing fee for residential child caring and child-placing facilities is $100 for initial licensing and $50 for the annual renewal.
The certification fee for a certified family child care home is $10.
The regional offices of the Division of Regulated Child Care are responsible for conducting on-site visits of all licensed child care facilities and certified homes in the state to determine compliance with applicable licensing and certification regulations. Complaints concerning these facilities and certified homes are investigated by regional office staff.

Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Kentucky Office of Inspector General
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Division of Regulated Child Care
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-7962
Fax: (502) 564-9350

Child Care Subsidy Agency
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Division of Child Care
275 East Main Street, 3W-B
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-2524
Toll Free: (800) 421-1903
Fax: (502) 564-3464

Head Start - State Collaboration Office
Kentucky Department of Education
500 Metro Street, 1st Floor
Frankfort, KY, 40601
Phone: (502) 564-8341
Fax: (502) 564-1984

Child Care Food Program Agency
Division of School and Community Nutrition
State Department of Education
2545 Lawrenceburg Rd.
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Phone: (502) 564-5625
Fax: (502) 564-5519

State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Kentucky Partnership for Early Childhood Services
Human Development Institute/ University of Kentucky
126 Mineral Industries Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0051
Phone: (859) 257-4911
Toll Free: (800)956-8950
Fax: (859) 323-4757

Office of Child Support Enforcement
Division of Child Support
Cabinet for Families and Children
730 Schenkel Lane - PO Box 2150
Frankfort, Kentucky 40602-2150
Phone: (502) 564-2285
Fax: (502) 564-5988