How to start a home daycare in Kentucky.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services oversees home daycares in Kentucky. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare Kentucky allows
Certified family child-care home
Up to 6 unrelated children, plus 4 related, 10 in all
The limit is 10 children only when 4 of them are related to you.
Source: Certified Family Child Care HomeType II child-care center
7 to 12 children, counting children related to you
It is licensed in the home where you live.
Source: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.
Starting a home daycare in Kentucky, step by step
Meet a family child care specialist
Meeting a family child care specialist is not required, but it is highly recommended.
Source: Certified Family Child Care HomeGet CPR and first aid
Get certified in infant and child CPR and first aid.
Source: Certified Family Child Care HomeGet liability insurance
Get commercial liability insurance within 90 days of starting your application.
Source: Certified Family Child Care HomeGet zoning approval
Get written proof from your local authority that your home meets zoning rules.
Source: Certified Family Child Care HomeComplete background checks
Everyone 18 or older who lives in your home needs a background check.
Source: Certified Family Child Care HomeGet a physician's statement
A physician states that you and any other caregiver are healthy enough to give care.
Source: Certified Family Child Care HomeApply with form OIG-DRCC-03
Send the Initial Certification Application for Family Child-Care Home with your documents.
Source: Certified Family Child Care HomePass the unannounced inspection
Cabinet staff review your application and inspect your home without notice.
Source: 922 KAR 2:100. Certification of family child-care homes.
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General, Division of Regulated Child Care. Reviews certification applications and inspects each home without notice.Source: Certified Family Child Care Home
- Certification needed
- When you care for 4 to 6 children who are not related to youSource: KRS 199.8982 Family child-care home certification program
- Education
- A high school diploma or a Commonwealth Child Care CredentialSource: Certified Family Child Care Home
- Orientation
- 6 hours within 3 months of applyingSource: 922 KAR 2:100. Certification of family child-care homes.
- Other jobs
- None during your hours of careSource: Certified Family Child Care Home
- Certificate length
- Two yearsSource: 922 KAR 2:100. Certification of family child-care homes.
Good to know
- If you care for 3 or fewer children, certification is your choice.Source: KRS 199.8982 Family child-care home certification program
- A Type II home uses the same license application as a Type I center.Source: Licensed Provider
- The Family Child Care Network has specialists across the state who help homes open and keep running.Source: Certified Family Child Care Home
Run a program in Kentucky? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Kentucky
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Kentucky licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Kentucky
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Kentucky
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a home daycare in Kentucky?
The first step: Meet a family child care specialist. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Kentucky?
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General, Division of Regulated Child Care. Reviews certification applications and inspects each home without notice.
How many children can a home daycare in Kentucky care for?
Certified family child-care home: Up to 6 unrelated children, plus 4 related, 10 in all. Type II child-care center: 7 to 12 children, counting children related to you.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
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