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4C for Children

Legal Requirements Governing Child Care in Kentucky

Child Care Centers:  A Type I child care center is a facility that is licensed to care for twelve or more children.  Licensed child care centers must meet standards set by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Regulated Child Care.  Regulations include:  15 hours of training annually for all staff, a fire inspection, a liability insurance requirement, and compliance with building codes, child/adult ratios, and program requirements.  Facilities undergo at least one annual unannounced re-licensure survey visit by state licensing specialists.

State of Kentucky Requirements

Age Ratio Maximum Group Size
0 - 12 mos. 1:5 10
12 - 24 mos. 1:6 12
2 - 3 yrs. 1:10 20
3 - 4 yrs. 1:12 24
4 - 5 yrs. 1:14 28
5 - 7 yrs. 1:15 30
7+, full day 1:20 30
7+, before and after school only 1:25 30

Family Child Care A family child care provider cares for a small number of children in his or her home. The following terms are used to describe family child care homes in Kentucky. These definitions explain the three different family child care options available:

  • License Exempt: Providers caring for three or fewer children, in addition to related children, are legally exempt from Kentucky's child care regulations. Related children as defined by Kentucky law include: grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and children in legal custody. Children in care can be of any age.
  • State Certified: Providers caring for four to six unrelated children are certified by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Regulated Child Care. Certified providers must meet standards set by the Cabinet, and are monitored with at least one home visit each year by a state certification specialist. Providers must have current CPR and First Aid certification as well as a minimum of 9 hours of child development training annually. Providers may not care for more than six children under age 6, including related children. No more than four of the children can be under the age of 12 months unless an assistant is present, and providers may not care for more than a total of 10 children.
  • Licensed Type II: Providers caring for seven to 12 children are licensed by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services, Division of Regulated Child Care. Licensed Type II Providers must meet regulations set by the Division of Regulated Child Care. These regulations are the same ones met by Child Care Centers (regulations listed above).

Download a copy of Children and Parent Rights Pursuant to KRS 199.898. To request a complaint history or for more information, contact:

Division of Regulated Child Care
Office of Inspector General
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
275 East Main Street, Floor 4EA
Frankfort, Kentucky 40621
(502)-564-7962 or

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Southwest Ohio 513-758-1330
Northern Kentucky 859-781-3511, x1330
Miami Valley 937-220-9660, x1330
Toll-free 800-256-1296, x1330

Legal requirements governing child care in Ohio.