A daycare license in Kentucky is issued by Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Division of Regulated Child Care, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 7 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Division of Regulated Child Care requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Division of Regulated Child Care. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
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See a ready-made enrollment packet →Kentucky childcare licensing is administered by the Division of Regulated Child Care within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. All facilities providing care for 7 or more unrelated children must be licensed. HB 190 (2026) introduced a Square Footage Waiver allowing high-quality providers with no safety violations in 5 years to deviate from the standard 35 square feet per child requirement for school-age programs.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (0–12 months) | 1:5 |
| 12–24 months | 1:6 |
| 24–36 months | 1:10 |
| 3–4 years | 1:12 |
| 4–5 years | 1:14 |
| School age (full day) | 1:15 |
| School age (before/after school only) | 1:25 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Division of Regulated Child Care's rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Kentucky CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Kentucky CHFS schedule required on file.
Medical/Health Assessment
Physician-signed health report required for enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Kentucky CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Kentucky Department for Public Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Kentucky CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff prior to working with children.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework. Requirements vary by child care rating level.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required per CHFS standards.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Kentucky CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact CHFS for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Kentucky CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Kentucky CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the Southeast.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.