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DCF Enrolled Providers

You can help make child care more affordable for families by accepting Kansas Child Care Assistance payments.

What is a DCF Enrolled Provider?

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) offers Child Care Assistance to help with child care expenses funded by the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). But for families to take advantage of this program, they need providers who are enrolled in the program. 

Together, providers and DCF can make child care more accessible and help support working families by providing equal access to high-quality child care programs that support child development and learning.


Providers that enroll with DCF will receive payments directly from families using DCF Child Care Assistance. A parent can only use their Child Care Assistance benefit on their EBT card to pay a DCF-enrolled provider for child care services.

Please consider becoming a DCF enrolled provider. As a DCF enrolled provider, you will be increasing equal access to high-quality child care that supports children’s development and learning.

How to Become a DCF Enrolled Child Care Provider


All DCF enrolled child care providers must be U.S. citizens or legally residing in the U.S. with a valid Social Security number. 

DCF completes extensive background checks on the provider, household members, age 10 or older, and volunteers (if applicable). Each person must pass a background check before the agreement is approved. 

Complete an application to become a DCF enrolled child care provider. 

Visit the Kansas Provider Access Portal to fill out an application online.

Print a paper application located at the bottom of the page and return to your nearest DCF Office.

Types of DCF Enrolled Child Care Providers

Depending on the type of provider you are, you need to follow certain regulations and restrictions. Click on the option below that best defines your provider status to learn more.

If you are a licensed child care provider

You’re eligible for DCF if you have a current KDHE permanent license. If you are not licensed through KDHE, you must first apply and be approved for a license from KDHE before DCF will consider your application to enroll as a regulated provider.

A facility with a Temporary Permit is not considered licensed. DCF will not consider your application until you are licensed through KDHE.

If you are an unregulated child care provider

To be eligible, you must be either:

  • Licensed by another state and a CCDF subsidy provider in that state
  • Under the jurisdiction of the federal government or a tribe
If you want to provide child care for a relative inside the child’s home.

Eligibility: 

  • Must be at least 18 years of age and a grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling or aunt/uncle of all children, related by blood, marriage, or court decree.
    • Cousins and great aunts/uncles do not meet the relationship requirement.
  • Cannot reside with the child nor be the child’s own parent, guardian or primary caretaker.
  • Cares for six or fewer related children under 16 years of age (including the provider’s own children) and provides care for less than 24 hours a day.
  • Must have a referral from a DCF worker to enroll as an Out-of-Home Relative provider.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide care for only the children indicated in the agreement
  • Sign a policy statement on discipline. 
  • Complete a Health & Safety checklist with the parent to maintain standards in the home where care is provided. The provider and parent must sign the Health & Safety checklist.
  • Notify DCF when you have a change of name, address, telephone numbers, or household members.

To enroll, have the child’s parent apply for Child Care Assistance, listing you as their relative in-home provider. Once your local provider enrollment specialist has received the referral, they will mail you the paperwork to complete.

If you want to provide child care for a relative inside your own home

Eligibility: 

  • Must be at least 18 years of age and a grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling or aunt/uncle of all children, related by blood, marriage, or court decree.
    • Cousins and great aunts/uncles do not meet the relationship requirement.
  • Cannot reside with the child nor be the child’s own parent, guardian or primary caretaker.
  • Cares for six or fewer related children under 16 years of age (including the provider’s own children) and provides care for less than 24 hours a day.
  • Must have a referral from a DCF worker to enroll as an In-Home Relative provider.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide care for only the children indicated in the agreement
  • Sign a policy statement on discipline. 
  • Complete a Health & Safety checklist with the parent to ensure standards are maintained in the home where care is provided. The provider and parent must sign the Health & Safety checklist.
  • Notify DCF when you have a change of name, address change, change in telephone numbers, or household members change.

To enroll, have the child’s parent apply for Child Care Assistance, listing you as their relative provider. Once your local provider enrollment specialist has received the referral, they will mail you the paperwork to complete.

DCF Enrolled Provider Requirements

As a DCF Enrolled Provider, you must: 

  • Keep attendance records
  • Maintain payment records
  • Discuss payment policies with parents
  • Follow KDHE licensing regulations, unless you are a relative
  • Report certain changes

There are many more requirements you must review and follow, including recording daily attendance with sign-in and sign-out times, have a 60-day grace period policy in place for houseless families and families fostering children and treating DCF families the same as private pay families. Page 8 of the provider handbook provides more details.

How Do DCF Enrolled Providers Get Paid?

DCF does not make payments to providers directly and payment is not guaranteed. Instead, parents pay providers with their Kansas Benefits Card Child Care Assistance and personal funds. The amount of a family’s child care subsidy benefit is determined based on the selected provider’s DCF rate and the family’s eligibility information.

  • To set up payments, visit https://www.ebtedge.com and click on complete your contract or register online now. The EBT contractor will need to know your bank account information to electronically transfer payments into their account from EBT Kansas Benefits Card accounts.

All Kansas Benefits Card EBT payments are made through direct deposit (electronic) into a bank account. Providers must be able to receive payments from families in this manner. The bank account may be a checking, savings, or pay card account and must accommodate debit and credit cards. 

When you enroll as a DCF child care provider, you agree to receive Child Care Assistance benefits (EBT benefits) from parents only for child care services provided. Any inappropriate activity or use of these benefits may result in the termination of your provider agreement with DCF, possible overpayments, and possible court action. You could be disqualified from future enrollment as a provider in the Child Care Assistance program.

For more information, refer to the DCF Child Care Provider Handbook. (Spanish)

DCF Enrollment Subsidies for Families

There are a few subsidies offered to families to help offset their costs. 

  • Subsidized Enrollment Fees – DCF can subsidize $50.00 per child toward a one-time enrollment fee for an approved provider if the provider charges an enrollment fee to the private sector.
    • If the provider charges the private sector more than $50.00 per child and will not accept the maximum DCF subsidy in full, the parent will be responsible for paying the difference. 
    • If the provider charges a family enrollment fee instead of a per-child fee, DCF may subsidize $50.00 per child. 
  • Enhanced Rate Subsidy – Enhanced rates may be available for child care services (with the parent’s approved provider) for children with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities. Parents must contact their local DCF office eligibility staff to obtain information regarding enhanced rates.

For more information, please view the Child Care Provider Handbook. English | Spanish

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