Mississippi State Requirements

Qualifications: Caregivers: Must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED or have a CDA credential or have 3 years prior experience caring for children who are under 13 years of age and who are not related to the caregiver.

Provider/Child Ratio:

Age Range Ratios for Center Based Care in Mississippi
0 - 9 months (1:5) 10 Max
18 months (1:9) 10 Max
27 months (1:12) 10 Max
3 years (1:14) 14 Max
4 years (1:16) 20 Max
5- 9 Years (1:20) 20 Max
10 years and older (1:20) 25 Max
Mixed age group ratio for youngest child in group
Age Range Ratios for Large Family Care in Mississippi
Number of Children Allowed:

13 or more

Ratio of Children to 1 Provider:

5:1 for younger than 1 year; 9:1 for 1 year; 12:1 for 2 years; 14:1 for 3 years; 16:1 for 4 years; 20:1 for 5-9 years; 25:1 for 10-12 years

Age Range Ratios for Small Family Care in Mississippi
Number of Children Allowed:

6-12

Ratio of Children to 1 Provider:

4:1 for younger than 1 year; 8:1 for 1 year; 12:1 for 2 years; 14:1 for 3 years; 16:1 for 4 years; 20:1 for 5-9 years; 25:1 for 10-12 years

In Home Care
An in-home caregiver is someone who comes to, or lives in, your home. The caregiver can be a relative or a friend or can also be someone you pay to come to your home. If you have three or more children needing care, in-home care may be less expensive than other kinds of care. It can also save you from the worry of getting several children, all with different schedules, to and from a day care arrangement outside your home.

You may also want to use in-home care if your child needs special care because of a physical, mental or emotional problem; if you need care for an infant or toddler, or care for a child at night; if you need only after-school care. You should know, however, that in-home care can be costly, especially if you have only one or two children and are paying someone for full-time care. In interviewing in-home caregivers, you'll want to find out about their training and experience, their attitude toward children, and their ability to handle children who disobey.
Family Day Care
This kind of day care is provided in the home of the caregiver, who is often a mother with children of her own. You may find a relative, friend or neighbor who is willing to care for your child in this way. Or you may find a family day care home run by someone you do not already know.

Family day care can be a good arrangement: if you are a single parent raising a child alone; if you live in a rural area where family day care is likely to be the easiest to find; if you have only one or two children needing care; if you have a school-age child.

Keep in mind that a family day care provider may go out of business or stop caring for children at any time. And because many of these homes are not inspected or licensed by local or State agencies, it will be up to you to make sure that adequate health and safety standards are met.
Center Based Care
Day care centers are established settings where children are cared for in a group away from their homes for all or part of the day. There are many different kinds of center-based care, including nursery schools, preschools, and parent cooperatives. Some of these centers are set up primarily to keep children safe and secure; others are designed to prepare children for their school years. Center-based care is most frequently available in a town or city.

Many day care centers have an organized program of activities to help children learn. Some centers follow a formal plan, perhaps one developed by a well-known educator. Others use a more informal program based on their day-to-day experience working with children.

You may be interested in center-based care: if you want to keep your child in the same day care setting for an extended period; if your child needs special care because of a physical or mental handicap or an emotional problem; if you want certain educational or religious activities for your child.

Keep in mind that center-based care may not provide the "home" atmosphere some children like. Your child may not be comfortable in a large group for a major part of each day.

In considering a particular day care center, check out the facilities available, the qualifications of the staff, and the number of children cared for by each caregiver (the "child/staff ratio"). Talk to the director to make sure the center's program has the approach you like and includes the kinds of activities you want for your child.

Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Mississippi State Department of Health
Child Care Facilities Licensure
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Phone: (601) 364-2827
Toll Free: 866-489-8734 (complaint line)
Fax: (601) 576-7813

Child Care Subsidy Agency
Mississippi Department of Human Services
Office for Children and Youth
750 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39202
Phone: (601) 359-4555
Toll Free: (800) 877-7882
Fax: (601) 359-4422

Head Start - State Collaboration Office
Office of the Governor
501 North West St., 15th Floor
PO Box 139
Jackson, MS, 39205
Phone: (601) 576-2021
Fax: (601) 576-2791

Child Care Food Program Agency
Bureau of Child Nutrition
State Department of Education
500 Greymont Avenue, Suite F
Post Office Box 771
Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771
Phone: (601) 354-7015
Fax: (601) 354-7595

State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral Network
School of Human Sciences
Box 9745
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Phone: (662) 325-3083
Fax: (662) 325-1805

Office of Child Support Enforcement
Division of Child Support Enforcement
Department of Human Services
750 North State Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39202
Phone: (800) 434-5437
Fax: (601) 359-4415