Choosing Child Care in Johnson County

Looking for the right child care? We’re here to help guide you through your options and support your decision with trusted local resources.

Types of Child Care Settings

A group of children sitting on a colorful mat learning their letters with their teacher.

Family Child Care Homes

  • Care provided in a licensed home
  • Includes meals, naps, activities, and learning
  • Background checks and fingerprinting required for everyone in the home
  • Annual inspections by JCDHE Licensing Specialists and training (CPR, child development, safety, etc.)

Child Care Centers

  • Serve 13+ children (ages 2 months–16 years)
  • Staff must complete background checks and 16 hours of training yearly
  • Full-time director oversees daily operations
  • Annual inspections by JCDHE Licensing Specialists

Preschool Programs

  • Serve children ages 30 months to kindergarten eligibility
  • Sessions limited to 3 hours per day
  • Children may attend only one session per day
  • Annual inspections by JCDHE Licensing Specialists

School Age Programs

  • Serve school-age children (before/after school & summer)
  • Often located in schools
  • Higher staff-to-child ratios
  • Annual inspections by JCDHE Licensing Specialists

Finding Licensed Child Care

Use local referral agencies to match your needs:

They can help filter options based on location, hours, ages and availability.

Your Rights as a Parent

Under Kansas law (K.A.R. 28-4-123), you have the right to visit your child and the facility at any time during business hours. We encourage unannounced visits to see your child in their everyday setting.

Questions to Ask Providers

  • What does a typical day look like?
  • What are the menus, nap, and play routines?
  • Are there age-appropriate toys and clean, safe spaces?
  • How is learning encouraged?
  • What are the policies on health, discipline, and emergencies?

Visit the facility and observe interactions, cleanliness and routines. Trust your instincts.

Do Your Homework

Check Compliance Records

Ask for:

  • Last annual survey
  • All complaint investigations
  • Compliance checks
  • Any enforcement actions

Review everything and ask questions.

Financial Assistance

Need help paying for care? You may qualify for a child care subsidy through the Division of Children and Families (DCF). Visit the DCF website for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Look for or ask to see their license. The license must be posted if they are currently providing care and/or accepting new children. Licenses have an expiration date, so look for the date to make sure it is current. You may also call us at 913-477-8339 to obtain this information.

Please call the Child Care Licensing division at 913-477-8339. All regulatory questions will be answered and investigated if indicated.

No. The provider is not allowed to wash out any soiled diapers, training pants or clothing. The provider is required to place soiled items into a plastic bag or covered container and send it home with the parent. They must do the same thing for their own children's soiled items until the end of the daycare day. This is important to reduce the risk of spreading diseases.

No, you are allowed access to the day care during all hours of operation. If you are told to call before pick up or that you cannot look in rooms used for daycare, report this to the Child Care Licensing division at 913-477-8339.

KDHE has an online system for reviewing licensed facilities' compliance history. Data entry into the system began in October 2011, so it may be necessary to also send in the written open records request as described below. 

The system will show violations (regulations not being followed) and consultations (technical assistance given to provider) for annual and initial visits, as well as other information.

Alternatively, and for records earlier than October 2011, contact KDHE in writing (letter, FAX or email). Give them the name and address of the facility and request complaint reports, last annual survey, all enforcement actions, and all Notice of Survey Findings (NOSF) forms.

One to two years worth of history should be sufficient. Be sure to include your name, address, and phone number. KDHE will let you know the cost of providing this information to you. This is usually $7.00 per hour and $0.25 per page for printing costs. However, if less than 10 pages, there might not be a charge.

Please contact one of these Johnson County resource and referral agencies: Futures First or Child Care Aware of Kansas.

Kansas statute does not allow JCDHE staff to make provider recommendations. Contact us at 913-477-8339 if you have additional questions about finding care.

Questions or Concerns?

Contact the Child Care Licensing Division at the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment: