To become a licensed daycare provider in the state of Kansas, one should abide the state’s standard licensing requirement. Through this, the state as well as the parents is confident that their children and their development are being set up.
The process of getting a license for a daycare center in Kansas is not really different from the other states. First, they should meet the state’s working requirements like the age and educational attainment. Daycare providers must be at least 18 years old and should have a high school diploma, GED, or any equivalent certification is acceptable by the state.
Classes offered through the State
Courses such as childhood education, childhood development, or childcare management are highly preferable when you want to have a career in the childcare or daycare industry in the state of Kansas. Moreover, closely-related subjects such as elementary education and the like can also be accepted with the condition that they should earn the same subject credits in the preferable childcare courses.
The classes for childcare courses is usually composed of Child Care Laws, Child Growth and Development, Family and Community Relations, First Aid and CPR, Nutrition and Health, Psychology, and Small Business Management. In addition to these classes, there are also general education classes such as Mathematics, English, and the like that are available in childcare courses.
Certifications Given for Completed Classes
Daycare providers and staff in the state of Kansas must earn CDA, CCP, and NAC credentials. These certificates or credentials are only given to those who have completed the required coursework, credit hours, and working experience. Without these credentials, aspiring daycare providers and staff will not be able to work in daycare or childcare centers.
The state of Kansas offer Residential Child Care Worker Certification which is designed to help improve the quality of residential and foster care for children and youth by strengthening the skills of persons who are responsible for the daily nurturing, care and discipline of children placed in residential facilities as well as foster homes. This program provides a training opportunity to contribute to their professional growth and development.
The CDA certificate or Child Development Associate is given to those who gained a high school diploma and has a total of 480 working hours, plus 120 hours of formal education in children in the last five years. The CCP credential is for those teachers who did not attain a college degree or who have taken a different course.
National Administrator Credential is intended for those aspiring daycare managers and directors. This credential deliberates on the management of the administration and organization, maintenance of the environment as well as the planning and development of programs.
First Aid or Cardiopulmonary-Resuscitations are also required for daycare centers in all states of America.
Cost of the Classes
The tuition fee for childcare degrees or courses ranges from $2,000 to $ 33,000 per year in the different universities and colleges at Kansas. The cost differs as it is affected by the type of school, location of the school, and the degree you are enrolled to. Certain organizations such as TEACH, CARE as well as KCCTO State Training Office and Flint Hills Child Care Resource & Referral Agency, and Home of the Army Child Care in Your Neighborhood Program. These organizations assure the quality of childcare in the state of Kansas.
Required Classes that Day Care Providers Should Take
As mentioned earlier, childcare courses are highly preferable if a certain individual would pursue a career in the childcare industry. Thus, the classes in the said courses should be taken up by aspiring daycare providers and daycare staff with the required working experience and credit hours.
To know more how to become a licensed daycare provider, here are the things that you should do:
- Accomplish all the experience requirements. Aside from the education and age requirements, the state of Kansas obliges all their daycare providers to have a minimum of 6 months teaching experience with children. On the other hand, if you don’t qualify in terms of the experience, you can opt to finish a two-hour five sessions of observation in a licensed daycare center. You can contact the state of Kansas to find a daycare center nearest in your area.
- Complete the childcare application form, which is downloadable at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Submit the complete application in the address contained within the application.
- Place your signature in the compliance documents which is usually contained within the packet. In the application packet, there is also the child abuse policy which emphasizes the state mandatory reporting laws. Thus, this should be signed as well as the fire life safety agreement. The said agreement emphasizes on the safety regulations of child care facilities. These documents should be submitted when mailing the application form.
- Compensate the state licensing fee which is $15. This fee must be included in your application. Check or credit card details should also be contained within the application.
- Submit a background check. The state of Kansas gratifies daycare providers to pass an authorization form to undergo a background check. Getting through the background check is a requirement for licensure.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
You can contact the state department of Kansas that deals with childcare for more information and inquiries.
You can contact the following state departments:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Mailing:
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Bureau of Child Care and Health Facilities
Curtis State Office Building
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
Phone: (785) 296-1270
Fax: (785) 296-0803
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
Docking State Office Building
915 Southwest Harrison, Room 681 West
Topeka, KS, 66612
Phone: (785) 368-6354
Fax: (785) 296-0146
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
1512 E. Iron
Salina, KS 67401
Phone: (785) 823-3343
Toll Free: (877) 678-2548
Fax: (785) 823-3385