Child care & early education grants in Kansas
Child care shortages drive federal CCDBG funds passed through states, plus state start-up and expansion grants and city child care incentives. In Kansas, these funds reach child care & early education businesses and nonprofits through Kansas state agencies, county programs and city economic development offices, alongside direct federal awards.
Example programs available to Kansas applicants
- Child Care and Development Block Grant (via state agencies)
- State child care start-up / expansion grants
- Head Start / Early Head Start partnerships
Getting started in Kansas
- 01Register your business with Kansas (usually the Secretary of State) and get an IRS EIN.
- 02Check Kansas licensing, permits and tax registration rules for child care & early education.
- 03Register on SAM.gov for a free UEI so you can receive federal funds passed through Kansas agencies.
- 04Contact your local Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for free help with plans and applications.
- 05Ask your Kansas city and county economic development office about local child care & early education grants and incentives.
Who qualifies
- Licensed child care centers, both for-profit small businesses and nonprofits, that serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, or school-age children
- Licensed or registered family child care homes and group child care homes, including in-home providers working toward licensure in states that offer pre-licensing start-up support
- Nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, tribal entities, school districts, and community action agencies that run early education programs or want to become Head Start or Early Head Start grantees or partners
- Entrepreneurs planning to open a new child care program in an area the state considers a 'child care desert' or underserved, especially for infant/toddler care or nontraditional-hour care
- Employers and business groups creating on-site or nearby child care for workers, where state or local employer child care incentive programs exist
- Providers that accept, or agree to accept, children whose families receive state child care subsidies, which is a common condition of state grants
Where the funding comes from
Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) / Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Child Care. Funds go to a designated state, territory, or tribal Lead Agency, which uses them for family subsidies, provider grants and contracts, and quality improvement. Providers do not apply to the federal government directly.
Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP), funded by the ACF Office of Head Start. Organizations compete for grants through Grants.gov when a Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted. Existing Head Start grantees also subcontract with local child care centers and family child care homes as partners.
USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), run by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service through state agencies. Eligible licensed or approved providers receive reimbursement for nutritious meals and snacks. CACFP pays for meals served rather than awarding competitive grants.
USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program, which can help public bodies, nonprofits, and tribes in eligible rural areas build, renovate, or equip child care facilities. Grant amounts depend on community size and income.
State child care start-up, expansion, and capacity-building grants. These are usually offered by the state's CCDF Lead Agency, such as a Department of Human Services, Department of Early Learning, or Office of Child Care. They often fund facility improvements, equipment, licensing costs, and new infant/toddler slots.
State quality improvement and workforce programs, often connected to a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) activities, or state pre-K funding. They may offer quality bonuses, staff retention stipends, or classroom materials grants.
City and county child care incentives, local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency mini-grants, workforce development board initiatives, economic development agency programs, and community foundation grants. Many target new providers, child care deserts, or employer-supported care.
Common requirements
- A valid state child care license or registration, or proof you are actively in the licensing process if the program funds pre-licensing start-up, plus any required local zoning approval, certificate of occupancy, and fire and health inspections
- Comprehensive background checks for staff and household members (family child care) as required under CCDBG rules, including fingerprint-based FBI and state checks and sex offender and child abuse registry checks, plus required health and safety training
- Active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) for any direct federal application, such as Head Start or USDA grants, plus a Grants.gov account. Some state programs funded with federal dollars also ask for a UEI.
- Business and tax documentation: Employer Identification Number (EIN), state business registration or articles of incorporation, and an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter if applying as a nonprofit
- Financial documents such as a detailed project budget, recent financial statements or tax returns, a W-9, bank account details for direct deposit, and in some cases an audit or financial management policies
- Proof of liability insurance and, for facility projects, a lease or ownership documentation, landlord permission for renovations, and contractor estimates
- Program details such as licensed capacity, ages served, hours of operation, current enrollment, and participation in the state subsidy program or CACFP, since many grants require you to accept subsidized children for a set period
How to apply
- 01Contact your state CCDF Lead Agency (search 'child care and development fund' plus your state name, or use the ACF Office of Child Care state contacts list) and your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency. Ask what start-up, expansion, and quality grants are currently open or expected.
- 02Get licensing-ready or confirm your license is in good standing. Complete background checks, required trainings, inspections, and zoning approvals, since most grants require them before awarding or releasing funds.
- 03Register your organization: obtain an EIN, set up or renew SAM.gov registration to get a UEI if you plan to pursue federal funds such as Head Start, and create the state grant portal and Grants.gov accounts you need. SAM.gov registration is free and can take several weeks.
- 04Prepare your application package: a clear description of the community need (for example, local waitlists or child care desert data), the number and ages of new slots, a realistic budget, a timeline, and all required documents. Have someone review it against the scoring criteria in the funding notice.
- 05Submit before the deadline, keep confirmation records, and respond quickly to follow-up questions. If you receive an award, review the grant agreement carefully for reporting, enrollment, and service-period obligations. If you are not selected, request feedback and watch for future rounds.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply directly to the federal government for CCDBG money?
Generally, no. CCDBG funds are awarded to state, territory, and tribal Lead Agencies, which decide how to distribute them. Providers usually benefit by accepting subsidized children or by applying for state-run grants and contracts paid for with CCDBG dollars. Check your state Lead Agency's website for current opportunities.
Are for-profit child care businesses eligible for grants, or only nonprofits?
Many state start-up, expansion, and quality grants are open to both licensed for-profit businesses and nonprofits, including family child care homes. Some federal and foundation grants are limited to nonprofits, public agencies, or tribes. Eligibility is set by each program, so read the funding notice carefully.
Can I get a grant to start a child care program before I'm licensed?
Some states and local agencies offer pre-licensing or start-up grants to help new providers cover licensing, safety upgrades, and equipment. Funds may be released in stages, with full payment after you become licensed. Not every state offers this, and awards are competitive and not guaranteed.
How can my center partner with Head Start or Early Head Start?
Contact Head Start and Early Head Start grantees in your area (the Head Start Center Locator on the ACF website lists them) to ask about Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships or slot contracts. Partners typically must meet Head Start Program Performance Standards, which may come with added training, materials, and funding support.
Do I have to pay back a child care grant?
Grants usually do not need to be repaid if you use the money as approved and meet the agreement terms. However, many agreements require you to stay open, maintain your license, or serve subsidized children for a set period. Not meeting those conditions can lead to repayment. Keep good records and read your agreement before accepting funds.
Free eligibility check: grants, licenses and every step for your city and county.
Researched from public sources. Program details change, so always confirm with the Kansas funding agency. GrantVerify does not award grants or guarantee funding.