Shawnee County Health Department, Child Care Licensing

Child Care Operating Certificate (Shawnee County Health Department)

Shawnee County Code §7-93 states: "This article shall apply to all persons providing child care services in the county," and §7-94 requires a valid county certificate before providing that care; the code names the Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD) as the administrative agency. SCHD's Child Care Licensing page states that a provider should hold the state license or temporary permit and a current Shawnee County operating certificate, and that "Both of these documents are required to legally operate a child care facility in Shawnee County." The state license is issued by the Kansas Office of Early Childhood, which took over child care licensing on 1 July 2026; it is a separate state record. Under §7-102 (Res. No. 1999-7 and 2011-7, in the code version current July 20, 2026) the certificate costs $100 plus $4 per child of licensed capacity for a child care centre, school-age programme or preschool, and $200 for a drop-in programme facility, assessed annually; SCHD's New and Renewal application forms (published May 20, 2025) state the same figures and require full payment with the application. Licensed day care homes and group day care homes also need the certificate; SCHD Child Care Licensing (785.251.5750) gives the current amount. Before an application is processed, the provider attends SCHD's monthly orientation; SCHD's page states the registration fee is $20, matching §7-102. The certificate is valid 12 months (§7-97), is not transferable (§7-100), and anyone who starts care before obtaining it pays double the fee (§7-103). Renewal paperwork and payment are due November 15 for January-March renewals, March 15 for April-June, June 15 for July-September and September 15 for October-December (§7-98).