What It Is
The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) supports individuals building their child care business. These resources help providers understand the policies needed to operate a quality program.
Types of Child Care
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Licensed Provider Type I and Type II - A Licensed Type I Child Care Facility is a facility that regularly provides child care services for four or more children in a non-residential setting, or 13 or more children in a residential setting. A Licensed Type II Child Care Facility is the primary physical location where child care is regularly provided for at least seven, but no more than 12, children including no more than 12 children related to the licensee.
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Certified Family Child Care - Care provided in a caregiver's own home for no more than six unrelated and no more than four related children at any time for a total of 10 children.
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Registered Relative Provider - A family member who cares for children in his or her own home or the child's home. A Registered Relative Provider may not care for more than six children related to the caregiver or more than eight children inclusive of their own children.
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Nonregulated Child Care - The
Division of Regulated Child Care does not regulate providers who care for three or fewer children not related to them. Providers who care for more than three children not related them must be Certified or Licensed unless they fall into the exempt category. All exempt child care settings can be found
922 KAR 2:090 Child-care licensure in Section 3.
Highlights of
child care provider requirements in Kentucky.
Are you interested in opening a child care center?
Licensed Type I Providers
Child Care Aware (CCA), Kentucky's Child Care Resource and Referral Network,staff meets with new providers on a regular basis. Contact the CCA to find a health and safety coach in your area and inquire about scheduled getting started meetings for new child care providers.
Certified Family Child Care/Type II
The Family Child Care Network (FCCN) has specialists across the state to assist in all aspects of opening and maintaining homes for regulated child care. The FCCN provides technical assistance and training.
Email FCCN or call toll free 800-621-5908 to reach the correct specialist in your area.
Child Care Provider Requirements
Child care center operators must follow regulations that outline minimum health and safety standards. A complete list of child care regulations can be found in
922 KAR Chapter 2.
In 922 KAR 2:120, Child Care Center Health and Safety Standards, outdoor activity is restricted based upon temperature and weather conditions.
Inspections
Beginning in late September 2026, the Division of Regulated Child Care (DRCC) will begin transitioning from its current inspection program to SansWrite, a system that will support the child care provider inspection and correction process.
SansWrite will allow agency staff and providers to complete key parts of the compliance process electronically, including issuing inspection results, reviewing findings, and submitting Plans of Correction.
Type I, Type II, and Certified Family Child Care Homes are all inspected on an annual basis. As part of the renewal process, Type I and Type II receive a full inspection survey.
Certified providers receive a certificate that is valid for two years. Kentucky's Division of Regulated Child Care (DRCC) performs a full inspection every year. One year is the renewal year, similar to Licensed Type I and Type II providers. The second year includes an annual visit, because it is not technically a renewal process.
Other inspections, such as investigations, changes of service, follow-ups, reported complaints, etc. happen throughout the year as the need arises.
Registered Relative Providers are not inspected by DRCC.
For important updates, training information, resources, and support materials, please visit the Child Care Inspections page.
Kentucky All STARS
Kentucky All STARS is the expanded five-star quality rating and improvement system for Licenced Type I, Type II and Certified providers. Kentucky All STARS aims to improve, support and recognize constant quality improvement efforts of early learning programs. Providers are rated on a scale of one to five stars. One-star providers meet state licensing requirements.
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps families find, access and pay for child care to help parents work, go to school, or participate in job training programs and the Kentucky Works (KWP) program. Child care subsidies also are available for the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP) and child protective cases.
The Division of Child Care provides support to child care professionals, while the Division of Family Support helps parents and guardians apply for assistance and determine eligibility.
To receive CCAP funds, child care providers must be Registered, Certified or Licensed by the state.
Providers can submit billing or receive paper daily attendance forms by using the Kentucky Integrated Child Care System (KICCS) Provider Portal Launch Site.
Brightwheel
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), through the Division of Child Care (DCC) within the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), provides Brightwheel child care management software to all Licensed and Certified child care programs for free. Please read the sign up instructions in the Brightwheel Flyer to register.
FAQ for Brightwheel Attendance Protocol for CCAP and Non-CCAP Children
Brightwheel Attendance Records Tip Sheet