Mississippi Childcare Licensing Requirements
Mississippi childcare centers must include 13 mandatory sections in parent handbooks per Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.4.1(1)(f) (hours/days of operation, holidays and other times closed, disclosed in Parental Information before enrollment); enabling authority Miss. Code Ann. §43-20-8.
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamRequired Handbook Sections
The following sections must appear in every Mississippi childcare parent handbook per state licensing rules.
| Section | Description | Citation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours of Operation | Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.4.1(1)(f) (hours/days of operation, holidays and other times closed, disclosed in Parental Information before enrollment); enabling authority Miss. Code Ann. §43-20-8 | Required |
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline PolicyGuide → | Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Subchapter 14, Rules 1.14.1–1.14.4 (Discipline and Guidance: prohibited behavior, restraint of a child, time out, children shall not discipline other children); policy-disclosure requirement at Rule 1.4.1(3)(b); behavior-altering medication only per licensed physician at Rule 1.14.2 | Required |
| Illness and Exclusion PolicyGuide → | Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.12.2 (Child Health — isolation and return of child to parent for serious contagious condition, no return until physician-certified no longer contagious, parent notification of contagious illness); see also Rule 1.7.3 (Communicable Disease reporting to MSDH) | Required |
| Medication Administration PolicyGuide → | Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.4.1(4)(a) (procedures for storing and giving a child medication) and Rule 1.6.3(8) (medication administration record: date, time, signature of dispensing employee); parental authorization to administer medication at Rule 1.6.7(3)(a); behavior-altering medication only per physician instruction at Rule 1.14.2 | Required |
| Emergency ProceduresGuide → | Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.4.9 (Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Planning — comprehensive written multi-hazard plan, monthly fire/tornado drills, evacuation pack); see also Rule 1.4.1(4)(c)–(e) (emergency medical care, evacuation plan with relocation-site parent notification, dangerous-situations procedures) | Required |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.4.1(2)(a)–(d) (Arrival and departure procedures — all children signed in/out by an authorized individual, protection from traffic/hazards, release only to persons with written authorization, late/uncollected-child policy) | Required |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | Meals and snacks provided; food allergy procedures; outside food policy. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Subchapter 13, Rule 1.13.1 (Meals and Snacks — must comply with USDA Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs, incorporated by reference) through Rule 1.13.13 (Food Safety and Food Manager) | Required |
| Parent Communication Policy | Daily report procedures; how to reach staff; parent conference schedule. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.4.1 (Parental Information provided before enrollment), Rule 1.4.3 (Parental Access — welcome access at all times), Rule 1.4.6 (Posting of Information), and Rule 1.7.1 (Serious Occurrences — immediate parent notification); infant/toddler daily written reports at Rule 1.7.4 | Required |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | Steps for resolving concerns; contact for unresolved complaints. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.1.2(5) (MSDH complaint hotline / complaint investigation, reporter identity protection) and Rule 1.4.1(5)(d) (toll-free Child Care Facility Complaint Hot Line 1-866-489-8734 disclosed to parents); operator monetary-penalty appeal/hearing process at Subchapter 25, Rules 1.25.4–1.25.6 (district-level hearing, state-level hearing, chancery court appeal) | Required |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | Mandatory reporter obligations; reporting procedures; state hotline. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.7.2 (Child Abuse — operator/employee with suspicion or evidence of abuse or neglect shall report immediately to the Mississippi Department of Human Services in accordance with the state's Youth Court Act); policy-disclosure requirement at Rule 1.4.1(4)(b) | Required |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | Enrollment process; tuition rates; payment schedule; refund policy. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.4.1(1)(g)–(h) (procedures for admission/registration; tuition, payment plans, and delinquent-payment policy) and Rule 1.6.7 (Child Records); license/application/renewal fee schedule at Rule 1.2.4 (License Fee — $130 application, capacity-tiered initial/renewal fees) | Required |
| Health and Safety Policies | Handwashing procedures; diapering; sunscreen; rest time policies. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Subchapter 12, Rules 1.12.1–1.12.6 (Health, Hygiene, and Safety — employee health, child health, child hygiene, toys/equipment sanitation, first aid supply, animals/pets); buildings/grounds at Subchapter 11 (Rules 1.11.1 et seq.) | Required |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | Statement of equal access; protected classes covered. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.1.2 (Purpose — minimum standards to protect the health and safety of all children); equal-access/accommodation obligations for children with special needs at Subchapter 20, Rules 1.20.1–1.20.4 (facility adaptation, individual activity plan, caregiver staff development, needs-based staffing). NOTE: the MSDH regulation contains no standalone enumerated nondiscrimination section; this is the closest verified umbrella code section — no specific nondiscrimination rule number exists in the regulation | Required |
| Transportation Policy | Vehicle safety requirements; car seat policy; authorization procedures. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Subchapter 15, Rules 1.15.1–1.15.4 (Transportation — facility responsibility, driver/vehicle requirements, occupant restraints/car seats per FMVSS, staff-to-child ratio in vehicles); policy-disclosure requirement at Rule 1.4.1(3)(c) | Recommended |
| Field Trip Policy | Authorization requirements; supervision ratios during off-site activities. | Miss. Admin. Code Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 1, Rule 1.6.7(3)(b) (written parental consent for field trips/excursions — blanket or trip-specific) with ratios maintained off-site per Rule 1.8.2(2) and first-aid supply required on all field trips per Rule 1.12.5(2); policy-disclosure for off-site/extracurricular and water activities at Rule 1.4.1(3)(e)–(f) | Recommended |
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Mississippi mandates the following maximum staff-to-child ratios by age group.
| Age Group | Staff-to-Child Ratio |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year (infants, birth through 12 months) | 1:5 (max group size 10, min 2 caregivers, 40 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3 |
| 1 year (toddlers, 12 months to under 24 months) | 1:9 (max group size 18, min 2 caregivers, 45 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3 |
| 2 years | 1:12 (max group size 24, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3 |
| 3 years | 1:14 (max group size 28, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3 |
| 4 years | 1:16 (max group size 32, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3 |
| 5 through 9 years | 1:20 (max group size 40, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3 |
| 10 through 12 years | 1:25 (max group size 50, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3 |
| Transport vehicle 10,000+ lbs GVWR (e.g., school bus) | 1:25 (driver not counted as caregiver, except in dually-licensed facilities when the vehicle carries only school-age children); Rule 1.15.4(2). On vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVWR the classroom ratio applies and the driver is not counted — Rule 1.15.4(1) |
Immunization Requirements
- Proof of vaccination required for every enrolled child before enrollment via the MSDH Certificate of Immunization Compliance (Form 121), or a valid medical/religious exemption (Form 122) — Rule 1.6.3(10); staff and volunteers must also have Form 121 on file (Rule 1.6.3(10); volunteers Rule 1.5.2(6))
- Required vaccines per the MSDH childhood immunization schedule (documented on Form 121): DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis)
- Polio (IPV)
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Hepatitis B (HepB)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Mississippi historically allowed only medical exemptions, but pursuant to an April 2023 federal court order now also accepts religious exemptions; medical or religious exemption documented on MSDH Form 122 (religious-exemption request process via MSDH; the Form 122 religious exemption does not apply to staff)
Background Check Requirements
- Comprehensive fingerprint-based criminal history records check required on all operators, employees, prospective employees, and child care providers eligible to deliver CCDF-funded services — Rule 1.5.2 (authority: Miss. Code Ann. §43-20-1 et seq.; CCDBG Act of 2014 §658(d); 45 CFR 98.43)
- FBI national criminal history records check (NCIC, fingerprint)
- State criminal history records check (Mississippi MCIC, fingerprint)
- State child abuse registry check
- National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) check
- State sex offender registry check
- Interstate/out-of-state check, if applicable
- Valid Letter of Suitability from the MSDH Criminal Records Check Unit required BEFORE a prospective staff member begins work; suitability status electronically accessed, monitored, and maintained via the MSDH agency-maintained website
- Comprehensive background check repeated every five (5) years; new check required after a break in service exceeding 180 consecutive days
- Volunteers serving 120+ hours/licensure year require a full check (Letter of Suitability); paid employees under age 18 also require a full comprehensive check (Rule 1.5.2(5)–(6))
Inspection Frequency
An agency representative inspects each child care facility prior to issuing or renewing a license to assure compliance — Rule 1.2.5; licenses may be renewed annually (not to exceed one year) — Rule 1.2.7. A facility is also subject to inspection at any time at the discretion of the licensing agency — Rule 1.1.2(4). MSDH maintains a complaint hotline and investigates each complaint received — Rule 1.1.2(5). Inspection findings are recorded on an official inspection form and furnished to the operator/director at the time the inspection is made — Rule 1.2.6.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Monetary penalties under Rule 1.25.9 (authority Miss. Code Ann. §43-20-8). Class I violations (e.g., failure to prevent death/burns/dismemberment/permanent disability of a child; child left unattended) — $500 first occurrence, $1,000 each subsequent occurrence of the same violation; two Class I citations on separate occasions may cause suspension/revocation (Rule 1.25.9(2)–(3)). Class II violations (e.g., personnel requirements/records, emergency preparedness/evacuation planning, staff-to-child ratio/group size/supervision, discipline and guidance, exceeding capacity, releasing a child to an unauthorized individual, environmental health, failure to report a serious occurrence or communicable disease, transportation, immunization documentation in child/employee records, nutrition standards) — $50 first occurrence, $100 each subsequent occurrence within the same licensure term; four Class II citations on separate inspection dates may cause suspension/revocation (Rule 1.25.9(4)–(5)). Class III violations (any violation not listed as Class I or II) — $25 each occurrence (Rule 1.25.9(6)). Penalties payable within 30 business days; appeal of a monetary penalty must be filed within 10 business days (Rule 1.25.9(7)–(8)). No license is granted or renewed for an operator with outstanding monetary penalties (Rule 1.25.9(9)). License may also be denied, suspended (including emergency suspension), restricted, or revoked under Subchapter 25 (Rules 1.25.1–1.25.2), and MSDH may seek an injunction (Rule 1.25.7).
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many sections must be in a Mississippi childcare parent handbook?
Mississippi childcare centers are required to include at least 13 mandatory sections in their parent handbooks per state licensing regulations enforced by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities).
Who oversees childcare licensing in Mississippi?
Childcare licensing in Mississippi is regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities). You can find official licensing information at https://msdh.ms.gov/page/30,0,183.html.
What happens if a Mississippi childcare center doesn't have a compliant handbook?
Non-compliance with Mississippi parent handbook requirements can result in: Monetary penalties under Rule 1.25.9 (authority Miss. Code Ann. §43-20-8). Class I violations (e.g., failure to prevent death/burns/dismemberment/permanent disability of a child; child left unattended) — $500 first occurrence, $1,000 each subsequent occurrence of the same violation; two Class I citations on separate occasions may cause suspension/revocation (Rule 1.25.9(2)–(3)). Class II violations (e.g., personnel requirements/records, emergency preparedness/evacuation planning, staff-to-child ratio/group size/supervision, discipline and guidance, exceeding capacity, releasing a child to an unauthorized individual, environmental health, failure to report a serious occurrence or communicable disease, transportation, immunization documentation in child/employee records, nutrition standards) — $50 first occurrence, $100 each subsequent occurrence within the same licensure term; four Class II citations on separate inspection dates may cause suspension/revocation (Rule 1.25.9(4)–(5)). Class III violations (any violation not listed as Class I or II) — $25 each occurrence (Rule 1.25.9(6)). Penalties payable within 30 business days; appeal of a monetary penalty must be filed within 10 business days (Rule 1.25.9(7)–(8)). No license is granted or renewed for an operator with outstanding monetary penalties (Rule 1.25.9(9)). License may also be denied, suspended (including emergency suspension), restricted, or revoked under Subchapter 25 (Rules 1.25.1–1.25.2), and MSDH may seek an injunction (Rule 1.25.7).
How often are Mississippi childcare centers inspected?
Mississippi childcare centers are subject to the following inspection schedule: An agency representative inspects each child care facility prior to issuing or renewing a license to assure compliance — Rule 1.2.5; licenses may be renewed annually (not to exceed one year) — Rule 1.2.7. A facility is also subject to inspection at any time at the discretion of the licensing agency — Rule 1.1.2(4). MSDH maintains a complaint hotline and investigates each complaint received — Rule 1.1.2(5). Inspection findings are recorded on an official inspection form and furnished to the operator/director at the time the inspection is made — Rule 1.2.6.
Detailed Mississippi Requirements
Go deeper on a single Mississippi licensing topic — each page covers the statute-cited specifics for that requirement.
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