ATTENTION PROVIDERS! New regulations (effective Feb. 3, 2012) are posted.
Click here for the complete list and description of new and amended regulations >>
UPCOMING EVENTS for child care providers and parents >>
HELPFUL DOCUMENTS for child care providers and parents >>
Click here for info on registered homes transitioning to licensed homes LEXIE'S LAW >>
Child Care Licensing staff work to reduce the risk of predictable harm to children while in out-of-home settings. 
Services include:
• Provide information to those interested in becoming licensed child care providers
• Initial inspection visits of the day care home or center to verify compliance with state regulation
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• On-site annual evaluation visits of licensed facilities
• Consultation visits
• Investigation of complaints
The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department Child Care Licensing staff continues to increase the number of quality child care facilities in Lawrence and Douglas County.
Hours
Staff are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed from noon to 1 p.m.).
For more information, call (785) 843-3060 or e-mail cclinfo@ldchealth.org.
Orientation meetings for prospective providers are held from 1 to 3 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month in the first floor meeting room of the Community Health Facility, 200 Maine St. in Lawrence.
Please pre-register by calling (785) 843-3060.
A provider's story
I always knew you had to keep sharp objects and chemicals out of the reach of kids, as well as things like keeping outlets covered, but never understood the depth or reasons behind the state regulations that all centers and providers have to follow.
My experiences with previous child care licensing surveyors were, “This is wrong, fix it,” with no real explanation of why it was wrong or the reason it needed to be done a certain way. I grew to dread annual visits and often wondered if this was the right job for me, even though I loved it so much.
I decided to go back to college to finish the classes I needed to earn an associate’s degree in early childhood education. In my last semester, I interned with the Lawrence-Douglas County Child Care Licensing surveyors.
I couldn’t have chosen a more amazing placement. Some of the day care homes I visited with the surveyors really made a lasting impact on me and my life was changed the day I went to the state capitol for the Lexie’s law hearing. My eyes have really been opened to just how imperative these state rules and regulations really are.
— Lindsay Felix, Child Care Licensing intern and child care provider
Related Child Care Licensing links
Frequently Asked Questions
For copies of regulations and applications to become a licensed day care provider, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Web site.
HELPFUL DOCUMENTS for providers and parents
Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education Programs >>
Child Care Providers Guide to New Crib Standards (effective June 28, 2011) >>
UPCOMING EVENTS
Child Care Licensing orientation meetings for prospective providers are held the second Tuesday of every month at the Community Health Facility, 200 Maine St. in Lawrence. Call (785) 843-3060 to pre-register.
