Tips and Resources
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Division of Regulated Child Care is responsible for licensing and investigating complaints against licensed child care facilities, certified family child care homes, residential child caring facilities and child placing agencies.
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KY Shared Services is the one-stop location for policies, forms, regulations, guidance, discounts, and more to help save you time, reduce costs, and improve quality. Memberships are free for all KY child care providers.
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The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. CACFP also provides reimbursements for meals served to children and youth participating in afterschool care programs, children residing in emergency shelters, and adults over the age of 60 or living with a disability and enrolled in day care facilities. CACFP contributes to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children and adults in the United States.
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Steps to starting a business may seem overwhelming, but the Small Business
Development Center coaches are available to guide you through the process and ensure
you are on the right track to owning and operating a successful small business.
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As early childhood leaders in their communities, Community Early Childhood Councils have been addressing the unique needs and strengths of the local community for over 20 years. They have been doing the critical work of establishing and strengthening relationships; as well as promoting collaboration and coordinating with individuals from a cross-section of the community.
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First Steps is a statewide early intervention system that provides services to children with developmental disabilities from birth to age 3 and their families. First Steps is Kentucky's response to the federal Infant-Toddler Program. First Steps offers comprehensive services through a variety of community agencies and service disciplines and is administered by the Department for Public Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
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The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is responsible for developing and operating state public health programs and activities for the citizens of Kentucky. The mission of DPH is to improve the health and safety of people in Kentucky through prevention, promotion and protection.
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Accreditation
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The Early Childhood Development Scholarship provides a seamless system to upgrade the professional development of those working in early care and education. The state legislature and the Governor created the Early Childhood Development Scholarship as part of the KIDS NOW early childhood initiative. The scholarship provides financial assistance, to the extent of available funds, in the form of non-repayable tuition scholarships for Kentucky students who are pursuing one of the following:
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Commonwealth Child Care Credential
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Child Development Associate
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Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
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Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education or related program
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Director’s Credential
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The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce supports a dynamic business climate in the Commonwealth, works to advance Kentucky, and provides substantial value to its members by articulating a vision for Kentucky and providing advocacy, information, program management, and customer service in order to accelerate business creation, recruitment, expansion, and retention.
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The primary goal of ECMHP is to provide:
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Program and child-level consultation on social, emotional and behavioral issues to programs that serve children from birth through age 5.
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Training on working with young children with social, emotional and behavioral needs and their families, to child-serving agencies and others.
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Evaluation, assessment, and therapeutic services for children from birth through age 5 and their families.
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An essential element for improving education, workforce and life outcomes for Kentuckians is focusing on kids’ early learning and readiness for kindergarten. With a variety of resources, including educator trainings, family workshops and hands-on children’s activities, KET helps prepare our youngest citizens to be kindergarten ready.
We’re dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children, teachers and families, with high-quality early childhood instructional resources and in-person and online training opportunities. Our on-air programming, which includes the 24/7 KET PBS KIDS channel, is designed to boost cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
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New business locations and business locations undergoing renovation may be subject to state building codes, local zoning requirements, and Americans with Disabilities Act public access requirements. These regulations can vary with each business location depending on the type of business, location, number of employees, public access, and the type of structure.
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The Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) provides leadership and direction for the Commonwealth of Kentucky by providing a comprehensive and sustainable prenatal to age five early childhood system that will ensure a strong foundation for all children.
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Kentucky Child Care Health Consultation, for a Healthy Start in Child Care, is part of the KIDS NOW Initiative. The program provides consultation and technical assistance on health, safety and nutrition for children ages 0-5 to child care providers. Trained Child Care Health Consultants from local health departments participate in joint activities with Child Care Aware and the Kentucky All Stars program in their areas to ensure collaboration and coordination on issues impacting the quality of child care.
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WIC provides nutrition education and services, breastfeeding promotion and education, monthly food prescription of nutritious foods and access to health-care services.
WIC saves lives and improves the health of nutritionally at-risk women, infants and children. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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Small Business Development Center
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Kentucky’s Governor's Office of Early Childhood
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