Note: This article is the fourth in a series. Find all parts linked below.
State investigations into child care facilities in Lawrence have found serious issues, such as physical and verbal abuse, children “escaping” near busy streets and more.
Parents have a right to know about these kinds of issues from child care providers. Some of that information is available online.
The state’s system — formally called the Child Care Licensing Program Online Facility Compliance Search — is on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website.
Find the search page at this link: https://khap.kdhe.ks.gov/OIDS/
The state inspects and licenses child care centers, preschools, in-home child care providers and more.
A state surveyor will begin an investigation within five days of receiving a complaint about a child care facility. They will make an unannounced visit to the site, conduct a walkthrough, get contact information for staff and parents if needed for further information.
Most reports aren’t very detailed, especially while an investigation is ongoing.
Many final reports indicate that there was an investigation, it is complete, the allegation was “unsubstantiated” and there were no other issues found during the investigation.
In the case of child care centers found to have substantiated complaints, a bit more information is available, such as the information provided about the allegations at Hilltop Child Development Center.
In addition, records that aren’t available on the website can be requested from KDHE’s Child Care Licensing Open Records by email cclr@kdheks.gov, or by phone, 785-296-1270, according to a resource on the website.
Make a complaint
To file a complaint against a Kansas child care facility, visit this link.
You can also submit a complaint by phone at 785-296-1270 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, except for holidays.
“The complainant’s information is not disclosed during the investigation however if the investigation leads to legal enforcement the complainant may be called to testify,” according to the website.
Once submitted, a complaint cannot be withdrawn.
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Keep reading:
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times‘A systemic failure,’ part 4: Kansas publishes some info on child care center investigations online. Here’s how to find it
Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
— Wulfe Wulfemeyer contributed to this coverage.
Latest Lawrence news:
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
More coverage of Hilltop Child Development Center:
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
