Provider Information

• Do I need to be licensed/How to become licensed
• Child Care Provider Forms
• Environmental Health (Sanitation)
• Health Consultation
• Training Information
• Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be licensed?

If you care for more than four children not *related to you, the state requires that you be licensed.

Types of Child Care Facilities in Missouri

How do I get licensed?

There are four steps to the licensing process:

Step 1 - If you are interested in operating a child care facility, contact us to obtain more information about licensed child care and schedule to attend the inquiry meeting in your area.

Step 2 - You must complete an application on the forms provided by us. There is no charge for the application or the license. A license is issued for up to two years.

Step 3 - You must send your completed application to the Section for Child Care Regulation (see map). Three different types of inspections are required. An initial inspection of the entire premises is made by us to determine compliance with rules. A fire safety inspection conducted by personnel from the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety and a sanitation inspection conducted by the Bureau of Environmental Health Services personnel are also necessary.

Step 4 - Once you have met the requirements for licensure, your child care license will be mailed to you. The license will indicate the effective dates of the license, the number of children you are licensed to care for, and any limitations. Unless otherwise stated, this license is valid for two years. While your facility is licensed, our staff will inspect your facility at least twice a year. More frequent inspections will be made if a complaint has been received or if there are compliance concerns. Your facility will also receive annual fire safety and sanitation inspections.

How to apply for a license

To apply for a family child care home license you will need to submit the following:

Print this section as a checklist

• A completed application for license;
• A sketch or diagram of the home showing the arrangement of the rooms, including the location of toilet and hand washing facilities, the kitchen and the doors. The space will be measured by the licensing representative and the applicant;
• A sketch or diagram of the outdoor play area and placement of equipment, indicating if the area is fenced;
• Written policies pertaining to the program goals, admission, care and discharge of children, and discipline;
• A schedule of daily activities for children;
• A sample weekly menu;
• An itemized list of available materials and equipment to be used by children;
• The names and addresses of two references not related to the applicant who have knowledge of the applicant’s character, experience and ability;
• Sample forms used, other than those supplied by the department;
• Evidence of compliance with a fire and safety inspection as conducted by the State Fire Marshal or his/her designee;
• Evidence of compliance, if applicable, with local or state requirements, or both, for any nonpublic water supply or sewage disposal system;
• If the family child care home is incorporated, Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Incorporation and the Annual Registration Report (if applicable) as issued by the Missouri secretary of state;
• Required information for assistants; and
• Other information required by the department to make a determination regarding licensure of the family child care home.
• In addition, the following must be on file at the child care home and available for review prior to the issuance of a license:
• Background screening results for child abuse/neglect and criminal record for the child care provider, other household members and other child care personnel;
• Medical examination reports for the provider and child care assistants as required by Child care rules, including 19 CSR 30-61.125.

To apply for a license to operate a group child care home or a child care center you will need to submit the following:

Print this section as a checklist

• A completed application;
• A sketch or diagram of the facility showing the arrangement of the rooms, including the location of toilet and hand washing facilities, the kitchen, the office and the doors. The space will be measured by the licensing representative and the applicant;
• A sketch or diagram of the outdoor play area and placement of equipment;
• Written policies pertaining to the program goals, admission, care and discharge of children;
• A schedule of daily activities for each age group in care (infant/toddler, preschool and school-age);
• A sample weekly menu;
• An itemized list of available materials and equipment to be used by children;
• A written narrative description of child care practices and concepts, including discipline and guidance policies;
• A staff sheet;
• If a facility is not incorporated, the names and addresses of two references who have knowledge of the applicant’s character, experience and ability;
• Sample forms used, other than those supplied by the department;
• Evidence of compliance with local or state, or both, sanitation requirements;
• Evidence of compliance, if applicable, with local building and zoning requirements;
• If the facility is incorporated, Articles of Incorporation and the annual Registration Report as issued by the Missouri secretary of state;
• Written policies and procedures which clearly establish job responsibilities and lines of administrative authority, including a statement of the authority and duties delegated to the director employed to carry out the program;
• Official verification of the center director or group day care home provider’s education and experience; and
• Other information required by the department to make a determination regarding licensure of the facility.

In addition, the following must be on file at the child care facility and available for review prior to the issuance of a license:

• Medical examination report for all adults working in the facility, as required by child care licensing rules including, 19 CSR 30-62.122 Medical Examination Reports;
• Enrollment information for each child as required by 19 CSR 30-62.132;
• Background screening results for child abuse/neglect for the facility owner(s), board president or chairperson and the center director or group day care home provider;
• Background screening results for criminal record from the Missouri State Highway Patrol for the child care provider, the owner(s), board president or chairperson, the center director or group day care home provider, all persons employed by the child care provider, and all volunteers counted in staff/child ratios.

Health Consultation

Healthy Child Care Missouri is a collaborative project between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Local Public Health Agencies throughout Missouri to provide child care health consultation services to child care providers. It is supported in part by special grants from the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, Child Care and Maternal and Child Health Bureaus.

Why does the program exist?

• To provide Child Care Health Consultation for Child Care Providers statewide.
• To promote safe, healthy and developmentally appropriate environments for all children in child care.
• To assist families and child care providers in accessing needed health and social service programs.
• To decrease risk of injury, disease and abuse for our children.

Who can receive Child Care Nurse Consultation Program Services?

• Child Care Providers
• Families
• Children

What services are offered?

• Consultation at child care homes, group homes, or centers regarding child health and safety concerns,
• Training for child care providers to improve their knowledge of healthy and safe practices, (Training clock hours are awarded to child care staff.),
• Education and health consultation for family members of children enrolled in a child care facility, and
• Health Promotion presentations for children in child care settings.

Topics may include:

• Communicable Disease
• Immunization
• Sanitation
• Children with Special Needs
• Dental Health

• Handwashing
• Emergency Preparedness
• First Aid/CPR
• Nutrition
• Injury Prevention and Safety
• Asthma...and many others

What does it cost?

Local Health Departments provide most child care consultation, training, and education resources at no cost.

For more information:
Contact your Local Public Health Agency to request additional information from the Child Care Health Consultant. If you have questions about the availability of a Health Consultant in your area, contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Center for Local Public Health Services at:

• P.O. Box 570
• Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
  or by calling
  (573) 751-6170

Environmental Health (Sanitation)

Child Care

• Annual sanitation inspections have been conducted in all regulated child care facilities since October of 1997. County and City health agency personnel are contracted to conduct the sanitation inspections.
• Annual sanitation inspections are conducted to protect children in and out of home care from environmental hazards such as exposure to disease, harmful chemicals and lead hazards.

See articles below for the link to Sanitation Inspection Guidelines for Family Child Care Homes and for the Sanitation Inspection Guidelines for Group Child Care Homes, Child Care Centers and License-Exempt Child Care Facilities.

• Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
  (A Guide for School Administrators, Nurses, Teachers and Child Care Providers)
• Emergency Guidelines for Early Childhood Programs

Training Information

Training and Professional Development are essential components of child care licensing. The goal of training is to provide child care personnel with the tools necessary to help ensure quality care for children. The Section for Child Care Regulation mandates a minimum of 12 clock hours of training annually.

Child care providers may access listings and schedules for approved training on the Missouri Workshop Calendar. This calendar features tabs that direct providers to face-to-face and online training as well as conferences that have been approved for clock hours.

The Section for Child Care Regulation accepts electronic training records that are produced by the OPEN Initiative. When attending clock hour training, child care staff should provide their Missouri Professional Development ID (MOPD ID) to the trainer. The MOPD ID is your six digit workforce identification number that can be generated instantly by clicking here. Use your MOPD ID to register for and sign in at clock hour training sessions. This is necessary to create the electronic training record that Child Care Facility Specialists will use to monitor annual training compliance.

If you have questions about using the Missouri Workshop Calendar or for assistance in obtaining your MOPD ID please call the Section for Child Care Regulation at 573-751-2450 or send an email to CCTraining@health.mo.gov.