Kentucky ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Kentucky CHFS Child-Care Center Licensure (922 KAR 2:090) regulations. Bloomily helps Kentucky childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Kentucky licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 12 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Toddlers 12-24 months | 1:6 | 12 children |
toddler Two year olds | 1:10 | 20 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Three year olds | 1:12 | 24 children |
prek Four year olds | 1:14 | 28 children |
kindergarten Five year olds and kindergarten | 1:15 | 30 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 6+ years | 1:25 | 30 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Kentucky childcare staff
Annual Training - Directors (18 hours)
Kentucky required 18 hours annual professional development for directors
Annual Training - Staff (15 hours)
Kentucky required 15 hours annual professional development for child care staff
Background Check (Kentucky)
Kentucky State Police and FBI fingerprint-based background check per 922 KAR 2:090
CDA or Equivalent (Kentucky)
Child Development Associate credential or equivalent for lead teachers
Child Abuse Registry Check (Kentucky)
Kentucky Central Registry check for child abuse and neglect
Director Credential (Kentucky)
Kentucky Director Credential or equivalent per 922 KAR 2:090
First Aid (Kentucky)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Orientation Training (Kentucky)
New employee orientation within first 90 days of employment
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (Kentucky)
Training on recognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma required
Pediatric CPR (Kentucky)
Infant and child CPR certification required per 922 KAR 2:090
Safe Sleep Training (Kentucky)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per 922 KAR 2:090
Staff Health Assessment (Kentucky)
Initial health assessment and TB screening required
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Kentucky childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, number of children, and evacuation time
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 10
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 10
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location twice per year
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 10
Severe Weather
Monthly tornado drills during tornado season (March-July)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 10
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Kentucky CHFS Child-Care Center Licensure (922 KAR 2:090) requirements
License posted in visible location
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 2
License capacity not exceeded
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 2
Operational policies current and available
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 2
Parent handbook distributed to all families
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 2
CHFS inspection reports available to parents
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 2
Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 6
Outdoor play area meets minimum (75 sq ft per child)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 6
Temperature maintained 65-75°F
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 6
Adequate lighting and ventilation
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 6
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 6
Handwashing sinks accessible to children
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 6
Drinking water readily available
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 6
Napping equipment clean and appropriate
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 7
First aid kit fully stocked and accessible
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 10
Medications stored in locked cabinet
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 8
Emergency medications readily accessible
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 8
Cleaning supplies stored out of reach
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 6
Hazardous materials secured from children
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 6
Emergency evacuation plan posted
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 10
Fire drill log current (monthly drills)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 10
Tornado drill log current (monthly during season)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 10
Lockdown drill log current (semi-annual)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 10
Fire extinguishers charged and accessible
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 10
Outdoor equipment safe and age-appropriate
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 6
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 7
KSP/FBI background check current for all staff
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 3
Central Registry check completed
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 3
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 4
Lead teachers have CDA or equivalent
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 4
All staff have current CPR certification
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 5
All staff have current First Aid certification
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 5
Staff annual training (15 hours) documented
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 5
Director annual training (18 hours) documented
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 5
Pediatric abusive head trauma training completed
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 5
Safe sleep training (infant caregivers)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 5
Staff health assessments on file
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 4
Orientation training completed (within 90 days)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 5
Infant ratio maintained (1:5, max group 10)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 7
Toddler ratio maintained (1:6, max group 12)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 7
Two year old ratio maintained (1:10, max group 20)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 7
Preschool ratio maintained (1:12, max group 24)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 7
School-age ratio maintained (1:25, max group 30)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 7
Emergency contact forms complete for all children
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 8
Immunization records current (KYIR or provider)
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 8
Health exam (PM-5 form) on file
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 8
Allergy information documented and accessible
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 8
Medication authorization forms on file
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 8
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 8
Children supervised at all times
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 7
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: 922 KAR 2:090 Sec 8
Track your Kentucky compliance digitally
Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
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