Business Licenses and Permits

Day Care (Home) License

Application

To obtain a Home Day Care Business License:

1. Complete a Home Day Care License Application form (pdf).
2. Obtain a signature by a City Planner to ensure the type of business is appropriate for your residence and that the City's sign regulations have been explained.
3. Pay the licensing fee in the City Clerk's Department.
4. A copy of a State License or Registration is required.

Fees

The fee is $40 per year and is pro-rated throughout the year. The licensing year runs from October 1st to September 30th.

Regulations

Home day cares are allowed in residential areas in the City, but not allowed in apartment complexes.

Number of Children

City ordinance limits the number of children per home day care for a maximum of 6 children. No more than 3 of these children can be under the age of 18 months. Included in the limit are your own children under the age of 16. Please note that this is slightly more restrictive than State law. If you wish to care for more than 6 children, you must obtain a Special Use Permit approved by both the Planning Commission and City Council.  With a special use permit you can operate a Day Care Home and a Group Day Care Home.

• Day Care Home - A home day care business may provide care for a maximum of 10 children under 14 years of age, not more than 6 of which are under kindergarten age. This includes the owner's children.
• Group Day Care Home - A home day care business may provide care for a maximum of 12 children under 14 years of age. The children of the provider are counted.

Employees

You may employ up to the equivalent of one full-time employee (up to 40 hrs. per week combined if more than one employee). If you live in an area with a home association, you may want to check with the association first as some have stricter regulations than the City.

Fire Inspection

Checklist for Group, Licensed and Registered Day Care Homes (pdf)

An annual Residential Day Care Inspection is required for all home day cares operating in the City of Shawnee. You can schedule a free inspection by contacting the Fire Department at (913) 631-1080. The Fire Department will inspect your home and complete the form required for State registration. Once you make application for your Business License and pay the licensing fee, the completed form will be returned to you. When conducting inspections, the Fire Department follows the Kansas State Fire Marshal Fire Prevention Division Self-Inspection Worksheet.

Firefighters look for the following:

• Every room used by children for sleeping, activity or dining purposes has a primary means of escape and any floor used by children for sleeping, activity or dining purposes has a secondary means of escape. If the primary or secondary means of escape passes a basement stairway, it is separated by a door or gate to prevent children from accidentally going into the basement.
• Every bathroom door can be unlocked from the outside at all times and the unlocking key device is readily accessible to you. Every closet door can easily be opened from the inside by children at all times.
• Every required exit door to the outside is easily opened from the inside at all times. Sufficient lighting is provided at all times so the way to all exits is easily visible. One flashlight must be easily accessible.
• Smoke detectors are provided in each sleeping room and on each level of the facility and tested monthly with documentation kept for review.
• All unused electrical outlets in licensed area have child-resistant protective covers.
• Wall and ceiling finishes are of commonly found materials and do not consist of foam, cloth or highly combustible materials.
• All natural gas, kerosene, wood or propane space heaters are vented to the outside of your home. All vented fuel-fired (natural gas, kerosene, wood, or propane) room heaters are protected by a barrier which prevents children from getting close to the heater. Any water heater is equipped with a properly installed pressure relief valve.
• At least a 2-A:10BC (5 lb. ABC) rated fire extinguisher is provided and is mounted so it is easily available for immediate use. The fire extinguisher has been inspected and/or serviced and tagged once within the past year by a person or firm licensed by the Kansas State Fire Marshal.

Requirements:

• Must be a one or two family dwelling.
• Child care must be compliant with all exiting requirements.
• The primary or secondary means of escape may not exit through any hazardous area (garage, storage, etc.)
• Every required exit door can be easily opened from the inside at all times when the facility is operating.
• Every escape path including all stairways are clear of obstacles and all doors are in proper working condition.
• Working smoke detectors are located in every exit pathway, in each sleeping room used for child care.
• Smoke detectors must be tested monthly and records kept on file for review.
• A copy of the current FIRE/LIFE SAFETY AGREEMENT is posted next to the license.
• Children can open every closet door from the inside at all times.
• Written emergency procedures for fire evacuation are provided and practiced monthly.
• Monthly fire drills must be documented.  Drills shall be conducted and completed within 4 minutes.  The inspector may ask for a demonstration of proficiency.
• Written procedures for tornadoes must be provided and practiced monthly from April through September.
• Every bathroom door can be unlocked from the outside at all times.  The key or unlocking device must be readily available to the provider.
• All unused electrical outlets in the licensed areas my have child resistant protective covers.
• All natural gas, kerosene, wood, propane heaters, etc., are properly vented to the outside of the home and a barrier that prevents children from getting too close or burned must be in place. 

City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203
(913) 631-2500 Fax (913) 631-7351 E-Mail