A child’s development is enhanced by care offered in a safe, healthy and educational environment by trained, qualified staff.

The department licenses and inspects child care centers, group child care homes and in-home child care centers. Both licensed and license-exempt facilities are required to have annual fire, sanitation and health inspections. In addition, licensed facilities have additional compliance monitoring inspections each year.

Licensed facilities are inspected at least once annually by staff from:

• Fire safety; and
• Environmental sanitation.

Licensed facilities are inspected at least twice annually by staff from:

• Section for Child Care Regulation

License exempt facilities are inspected once annually by staff from:

• Fire safety;
• Environmental sanitation; and
• Section for Child Care Regulation

Exempt facilities are not inspected by Section for Child Care Regulation.

Child care sanitation inspectors conduct thorough inspections to ensure the health and safety of children in care. Inspectors evaluate cleanliness, facility maintenance, water and sewer services, hygiene, food protection, diapering, and other various procedural issues that promote a healthy environment.

Atchison County Health Department contracts with Nodaway County Health Department to offer childcare facility inspections. Contact number: 660-562-2755 or apply for a childcare permit here.