Question About Kansas Licensing

[missT]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and I'm considering opening my own daycare center in Kansas (where I'm from but not currently living) and I'm trying to get an idea of what my start up costs will be like. The problem is that I can't figure out what I need to have purchased and set up before inspection. For example I am considering having 2 infant rooms, one for younger infants and one for more mobile infants. Can I purchase cribs and supplies for just one before licensing inspection in case I can't fill both rooms so I don't spend so much on cribs until I have enough children for them? Or do I have to have enough cribs for what my max number of children could be? I hope that makes sense. I just can't seem to find the info in any of the licensing information I've looked at.
Thanks!
MissT

[NoMoreJuice!]

Kansas

Hi, I'm new too, but I can help with this question! I live in Kansas and have a group daycare. A center is a totally different set of regs, but if you tell me which city/county you're looking at moving to, I can give you the contact info for their surveyors.

I had a daycare in western Kansas and we had 1 surveyor cover 11 counties, but here in Johnson county (Shawnee, KS) we have around 12 surveyors just for our county! Anyway, all the surveyors I've ever spoken to were so helpful and supportive of all my questions. Like you, I wanted to have my t's crossed and i's dotted before I started!

Another thing I should mention, is that depending on what county and city you are planning to open the center in, many of them have further restrictions than just the state regs seen here:

http://www.kdheks.gov/bcclr/regs/ccc/Preschools_and_Child_Care_Centers_all_sections.pdf

For instance, the state regs allow me to have 12 kids, but the city won't allow more than 6, so I had to file for a special exemption and had a court hearing and all that jazz. Also, the state didn't require a fenced yard, but the city did. There is SO much to check into with the city, and every city will require you to pay them a licensing fee as well.

I'm also curious if you're buying a building or renting one...most cities require you to own the building (but the state doesn't).

Just some food for thought! If you are moving to the KC area, I can help you a ton! Otherwise, I'd be happy to give you some contact info for the local surveyor where you will be opening the center.

Good luck!!

[craftymissbeth]

I own a home daycare in Kansas so I'm not entirely familiar with the regulations for centers. The link that PP posted above states:

Centers shall have a crib, cot or pad for each child. Pads shall be enclosed in washable covers and shall be used only over carpet. When pads are used, they shall be long enough so that the child's head does not rest on the carpet. Bunk beds shall be prohibited.

Home daycare regs are similar and at the time of my initial survey last year my licensor said I only needed one "bed" per enrolled child.

I would definitely contact the health department of the county you're planning on moving to. Here is the link to all of the contact info for each county:

http://www.kdheks.gov/bcclr/download/county_contacts.pdf

[missT]

Thank you!

Thanks so much for your help! I don't know if I was tired or what last night but I just couldn't, seem to find who to call last night .

I'm considering opening a center in Independence Is which is in Montgomery county. I was planning to purchase a building and do some remodeling. My brother has construction experience and my uncle owns a construction company so knocking out some walls and adding some more plumbing for the younger classrooms hopefully won't be to difficult.

I won't be in Kansas city except for to visit but every time I fly home (I live in Utah at the moment) we stop and get some barbecue . Usually at Hayward's mmmmmmmm.

[craftymissbeth]

That sounds exciting! Good luck and stick around and keep us updated on your progress happyface

[NoMoreJuice!]

Good luck with everything! Wishing you lots of success!

[missT]

I'll definitely stick around you all seem very nice and helpful! Thanks!
Tamisha Sewell