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Health and Safety Requirements


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Health and safety are key factors in the licensing of child care facilities. The Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) rules and regulations are designed to not only keep children safe, but also help providers offer the best possible care they can. 

These rules and regulations center around five key areas, each according to its license. Below you’ll find a general description of the health and safety requirements for all child care facilities.

Safe and adequate physical surroundings
  • Safe storage of toxic substances and hazardous chemicals
  • Home sanitation, sanitary diapering and toileting, and adequate handwashing
  • Safety of outdoor playground surfaces
  • Door locks and safety gates
  • Crib safety
  • Protection from electrical hazards and water sources, like swimming pools
Healthful food

Meals should contain a variety of healthful foods, including fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products. 

The minimum number of snacks and meals that must be served depend on the number of hours per day a child is in care.

  • <2.5 hours: No snacks required
  • 2.5 – 4 hours: One snack required
  • 4 – 8 hours: One snack and one meal required
  • 8 – 10 hours: Two snacks and one meal required
  • 10+ hours: Two snacks and two meals required

And each snack and meal has its own requirements. Each meal must include:

  • Breakfast: A fruit, vegetable, full-strength fruit juice, or full-strength vegetable juice, bread or grain product, and milk
  • Lunch/dinner: Meat or meat alternative, two vegetables or two fruits or one vegetable and one fruit, a bread or grain product, and milk
  • Snack: Must include two of the following:
    • Milk
    • Fruit, vegetable, full-strength fruit juice, or full-strength vegetable juice (juice cannot be served if milk is the only other item)
    • Meat or a meat alternative
    • Bread or grain product

For more information, see K.A.R. 28-4-116.(e) Nutrition and food service in your specific license’s KDHE Child Care Regulations book.

Find your regulationslaunch
Proper supervision
  • How to ensure adequate supervision
  • Adherence to licensing rules regarding number of providers and children
  • Adequate program of activities and services
  • Training for sudden infant death syndrome and safe sleep practices 
  • No corporal punishment
Emergency plans

Child care providers are responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of the children in their care. Providers need to know how to respond quickly and calmly in an emergency. 

Kansas Child Care Regulations require facilities to develop an emergency plan that helps to prepare and reduces the likelihood of poor judgments made under the stress of an actual emergency situation. Having a plan helps:

  • Reduce injuries and save lives
  • Prevent incidents from happening
  • Decrease property damage
  • Reduce fear and trauma of an incident
  • Recover more quickly

Here’s a sample emergency plan you can use to help develop your own. The state also has a disaster plan for review as well: the Kansas Child Care Disaster Plan.

For more information about what’s included in these regulations, please review the KDHE Child Care Regulations books.

Health & Safety Training

Each provider will complete initial health and safety trainings before opening and operating their facility. Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities (KCCTO) combines all required training into one extended two-week course called Foundations for Safe and Healthy Early Care Facilities Module. If registering for this module, it is not necessary to also register for the individual initial health and safety courses.

To look at all the health and safety training modules available, visit the KCCTO website

Health & Safety Coaching with Child Care Health Consultant Network

Child Care Health Consultant Network offers one-on-one coaching and planning sessions to potential or currently licensed providers in Kansas.

Its team understands that providers deserve support, so they’re available to answer your questions, respond to your needs, and help you make improvements — large and small — to support the health, safety, and well-being of the kids in your care.

Your CCHC can advise you on an endless list of topics related to health, safety, and wellness. Here are just a few examples:

  • Health, safety & wellness policy development and implementation
  • Illness and infectious diseases
  • Safety and injury prevention
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Health equity
  • Nutrition and physical health
  • Staff health and wellness
  • Children with special health care needs

To learn more or schedule an introductory meeting, visit the CCHC website

Additional Resources

Health

Caring For Our Children

National health and safety standards representing best practices.

Covid

Guidance on how to handle Covid-19 and limit spreading from KDHE.

CDC – Childhood Mental Health

Resources to support children’s mental health and well-being.

Safety

ECLKC – Safety Practices

Industry accepted health and safety standards for child care.

CDC – Safety

Resources to support children’s physical safety and health.

Haz Mat

Identifying and eliminating hazardous materials in care settings.

Regulations and State Plans

KDHE Regulations

Explore state regulations and policy exceptions.

CCDF Regulations & State Plan

Learn more about the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).

Kansas Disaster Plan

Get to know the state disaster plan for child care providers.

Emergency Preparedness

Resources to help providers develop an effective emergency plan.