Health & Safety Tips and Tools

Background Check Requirements for Child Care Staff

Federal law requires all states to ensure that all staff in regulated child care programs pass state and federal criminal background checks. Required background checks play an essential role in ensuring your child is safe in a child care program. Child care programs must submit requests for background checks before the staff member is hired and then at least once every 5 years. The background check process ensures staff don’t have a history of convictions that could put your child’s health and safety at risk.  For information about offenses that would prevent a person from being employed by a child care provider, please see Section 6 of 922 KAR 2:280​.​
 
For more additional information, please visit:
https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dcc/Pages/find-care.aspx
and
https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dcc/Pages/nationalbackgroundcheck.aspx

Changes to License

Any changes to the license (i.e. director, hours, email address, adding classroom, etc.) must be submitted with all qualifying documents to: chfsoigrccportal@ky.gov or fax to: (502) 564-9350. Be sure to write the license # on every piece of paper that is faxed. If you fax, follow up with a phone call to ensure receipt (502) 564-7962 ext.0.

Child Care Regulation Committee

Send regulation questions to the Child Care Regulation Committee at childcare.regulation@ky.gov.
Attach pictures as needed to provide additional clarification. The CCRC will provide a written response regarding regulatory matters.
Note: The CCRC will not respond to a question regarding an active survey or investigation.

Kentucky Child Care Regulations

Regulations are overseen by Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Child Care. A full list of child care regulations is available in Chapter 2 Day Care at: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/TITLE922.HTM

Child-care center staff shall be provided with a copy of 922 KAR 2:090, 922 KAR 2:120, and 922 KAR 2:280.

The KYNECT Public Child Care Search lists providers certified or licensed through the Division of Child Care. You can also view inspection reports, hours of operation, and Kentucky All STARS levels.

Standards of Practice for Child Care Providers

This document is intended to educate and inform child care providers, Cabinet for Health and Family Services Division of Regulated Child Care employees and child care Technical Assistance providers about the regulatory standards for licensed and certified family child care providers.

Updated! Effective 7/21/22

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/922/002/120reg.pdf

  • Changes to food preparation and meal requirements for centers who provide meals and centers who do not provide meals
  • Changes to screen time limits
  • Changes to physical activity requirements
  • Changes to serving sugary drinks
  • Requirements on lockdown/shelter-in-place drills
  • Changes to safe sleep requirements
Kentucky Child Care Standards of Practice – Licensed Providers

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