The office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced on Monday that the State of Kansas will cover the state licensing, background check, and fingerprinting fees for child care providers seeking initial licensure or licensure renewal through 2025 or until available funds are expended. Fee coverage will assist new child care providers by reducing start-up costs and continuing to support existing providers as they retain their licensure.
Since 2021, the State of Kansas has been covering the initial and renewal licensing fees for child care providers in the state through federal discretionary Child Care Development Fund assistance, a part of federal pandemic relief legislation. Additional funding to extend this coverage is being provided through reallocated Governor Emergency Education Relief funding.
"I'm committed to expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care opportunities for Kansas children and families," Governor Laura Kelly said. "These funds allow for continued support for child care providers by removing financial barriers."
The funding will be administered through an agreement between the Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the agency responsible for child care licensing.
Covering these fees will lower the total start-up cost for child care businesses—costs that often become too large of a barrier to overcome. Additionally, this action will incentivize more unlicensed providers to become licensed, ensuring safer care based on industry best standards. For current providers, the decision to cover these fees is another way the Kelly administration has invested in Kansas' child care workforce and continues to provide them with critical support.
Local jurisdictions may charge fees unrelated to those imposed by the state. Providers should consult their local health departments or local resource and referral agencies to learn more about applicable local fees in their jurisdiction. To learn more about becoming a child care provider, please visit childcareinkansas.com.
