Missouri State Requirements

Qualifications: Staff: Must be at least 18 years old.

Provider/Child Ratio:

Age Range Ratios for Center-based Care in Missouri State
6 - 18 months (1:4) 8 max
27 months (1:8) 16 max
3 - 4 years (1:10)
5 years or more (1:16)
Age Range Ratios for Small Family Child Care in Missouri
Number of Children Allowed: 5 - 10
Max Children to One Provider: 10, if 2 younger than 2 years
6, if 3 younger than 2 years
4, if all younger than 2 years
Provider's Own Children Counted: no
Maximum Number of
Infants/Toddlers to One Provider:
4 younger than 2 years
Age Range Ratios for Large Family Child Care in Missouri
Number of Children Allowed: 11 - 20
Ratio of Children to One Provider: 4:1 for 0-2 years;
8:1 for 2 years;
10:1 for 3-4 years;
16:1 for 5 years and older
10:1 for mixed ages older than 2 years;
8:1, with more than 4
2-year-olds
Provider's Own Children Counted: No

Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Section for Child Care Regulation
323 Veteran's Lane
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 751-2450
Fax: (573) 526-5345

Child Care Subsidy Agency
Missouri Department of Social Services
Children's Division, Office of Early Childhood
P.O. Box 88
Jefferson City, MO 65103-0088
Phone: (573) 751-6793
Fax: (573) 526-9586

Head Start - State Collaboration Office
Center for Family Policy and Research
University of Missouri
Rock Quarry Center, 1400 Rock Quarry Road
Columbia, MO, 65211-3280
Phone: (573) 884-0650
Fax: (573) 884-0598

Child Care Food Program Agency
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Post Office Box 570
505 Hobbs (Lower Level)
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0570
Phone: (573) 751-6269 or (888) 435-1464
Fax: (573) 526-3679

State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
1000 Executive Parkway Drive, Suite 103
St. Louis, MO 63141
Phone: 314-535-1458
Toll Free: 800-200-9017
Fax: (314) 754-0330

Professional Development Contact
Open Initiative
1400 Rock Quarry Road
Columbia, MO 65211-3280
Phone: 573-884-3373
Toll Free: 877-782-0185