Missouri Childcare Licensing
Missouri Childcare Licensing Requirements (2026)
Missouri childcare licensing is administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Childhood — Section for Child Care Regulation/Compliance (licensing of Group Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers under 5 CSR 25-500). Licensing authority and rulemaking transferred from the Dept. of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to the DESE Office of Childhood in 2021; the licensing rules were formally MOVED from 19 CSR 30-62 to 5 CSR 25-500 (Title 5, Division 25, Chapter 500) and the old 19 CSR 30-62 sections now read 'Moved to 5 CSR 25-500.XXX'. DHSS retains the day care immunization rule (19 CSR 20-28.040) and the Family Care Safety Registry.. A licensed Missouri center must maintain a parent handbook covering 13 state-mandated policy areas, each tied to a specific administrative-code citation. Per DESE Office of Childhood: licensed child care facilities are inspected at least twice annually by the Section for Child Care Compliance for compliance monitoring, plus at least one annual fire safety inspection and at least one annual environmental sanitation inspection. The provider must permit department access to the facility, premises, and records during all inspections (5 CSR 25-500.042(20)). NOTE: DESE's official inspection-process page does not explicitly characterize the compliance visits as 'unannounced,' and the draft's cite to 19 CSR 30-62.032(1)(Y) for unannounced visits could not be confirmed under the current Title 5 rule.
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamMissouri Licensing Requirements: The Specifics
Missouri childcare centers must include a written Hours of Operation section in the parent handbook (Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy.) per No general daytime hours-of-operation rule is codified. Nighttime/overnight care is governed by 5 CSR 25-500.142 (Nighttime Care). The former 5 CSR 25-500.152 (Hourly Care Facilities) was RESCINDED effective May 30, 2022, so it no longer governs intermittent/hourly care. The daily-schedule requirement is at 5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(A). (Old citation: 19 CSR 30-62.142 / .152 / .182(2) — superseded by the move to Title 5.).
No general daytime hours-of-operation rule is codified. Nighttime/overnight care is governed by 5 CSR 25-500.142 (Nighttime Care). The former 5 CSR 25-500.152 (Hourly Care Facilities) was RESCINDED effective May 30, 2022, so it no longer governs intermittent/hourly care. The daily-schedule requirement is at 5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(A). (Old citation: 19 CSR 30-62.142 / .152 / .182(2) — superseded by the move to Title 5.)
Missouri childcare centers must include a written Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy section in the parent handbook (Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps.) per 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C) (Child Care Program — Discipline: only constructive, age-appropriate methods; physical/corporal punishment prohibited). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.182(1)(C).).
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C) (Child Care Program — Discipline: only constructive, age-appropriate methods; physical/corporal punishment prohibited). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.182(1)(C).)
Missouri childcare centers must include a written Illness and Exclusion Policy section in the parent handbook (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per 5 CSR 25-500.192(2) (Health Care — The Ill Child; illness observation and exclusion criteria). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.192(2).).
5 CSR 25-500.192(2) (Health Care — The Ill Child; illness observation and exclusion criteria). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.192(2).)
Missouri childcare centers must include a written Medication Administration Policy section in the parent handbook (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per 5 CSR 25-500.192(3) (Health Care — Medication). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.192(3).).
5 CSR 25-500.192(3) (Health Care — Medication). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.192(3).)
Missouri childcare centers must include a written Emergency Procedures section in the parent handbook (Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.) per 5 CSR 25-500.090 (Disaster and Emergency Preparedness); fire/tornado drills and fire safety at 5 CSR 25-500.087 (Fire Safety) with drill posting at 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(B); accidents/injuries and emergency medical care at 5 CSR 25-500.192(5). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.090 / .087 / .192(5).).
5 CSR 25-500.090 (Disaster and Emergency Preparedness); fire/tornado drills and fire safety at 5 CSR 25-500.087 (Fire Safety) with drill posting at 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(B); accidents/injuries and emergency medical care at 5 CSR 25-500.192(5). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.090 / .087 / .192(5).)
Missouri childcare centers must include a written Arrival and Departure Procedures section in the parent handbook (Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees.) per 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)2 (a caregiver personally shall admit each child upon arrival and personally dismiss each child only to the parent(s), guardian, legal custodian, or individuals approved by the parent(s)). Field-trip/transportation release authorization captured in the admission record at 5 CSR 25-500.132(8)(E)6. (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.182(1)(A)2; 19 CSR 30-62.132(7).).
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)2 (a caregiver personally shall admit each child upon arrival and personally dismiss each child only to the parent(s), guardian, legal custodian, or individuals approved by the parent(s)). Field-trip/transportation release authorization captured in the admission record at 5 CSR 25-500.132(8)(E)6. (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.182(1)(A)2; 19 CSR 30-62.132(7).)
Missouri Licensing Requirements at a Glance
| Hours of Operation | No general daytime hours-of-operation rule is codified. Nighttime/overnight care is governed by 5 CSR 25-500.142 (Nighttime Care). The former 5 CSR 25-500.152 (Hourly Care Facilities) was RESCINDED effective May 30, 2022, so it no longer governs intermittent/hourly care. The daily-schedule requirement is at 5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(A). (Old citation: 19 CSR 30-62.142 / .152 / .182(2) — superseded by the move to Title 5.) |
|---|---|
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy | 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C) (Child Care Program — Discipline: only constructive, age-appropriate methods; physical/corporal punishment prohibited). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.182(1)(C).) |
| Illness and Exclusion Policy | 5 CSR 25-500.192(2) (Health Care — The Ill Child; illness observation and exclusion criteria). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.192(2).) |
| Medication Administration Policy | 5 CSR 25-500.192(3) (Health Care — Medication). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.192(3).) |
| Emergency Procedures | 5 CSR 25-500.090 (Disaster and Emergency Preparedness); fire/tornado drills and fire safety at 5 CSR 25-500.087 (Fire Safety) with drill posting at 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(B); accidents/injuries and emergency medical care at 5 CSR 25-500.192(5). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.090 / .087 / .192(5).) |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)2 (a caregiver personally shall admit each child upon arrival and personally dismiss each child only to the parent(s), guardian, legal custodian, or individuals approved by the parent(s)). Field-trip/transportation release authorization captured in the admission record at 5 CSR 25-500.132(8)(E)6. (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.182(1)(A)2; 19 CSR 30-62.132(7).) |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | 5 CSR 25-500.202 (Nutrition and Food Service; includes the Meal and Snack Food Chart and meal-schedule requirements). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.202.) |
| Parent Communication Policy | 5 CSR 25-500.132(8)(B) (Admission Policies — a plan for continuing communication between the child care provider and the parent(s)); parents' access to the facility at any time during child care hours at 5 CSR 25-500.132(13). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.132(7)(B) and (12) — subsection numbers shifted in the renumbered rule.) |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | Umbrella: 5 CSR 25-500.042 (Licensing Process) governs licensing actions; license denial/revocation appeal rights are at RSMo 210.245(3) and 5 CSR 25-500.042. A specific 'complaint investigation' lettered subsection could not be confirmed under the current Title 5 rule (the former 19 CSR 30-62.032(1)(Z) cite does not map to a confirmed current subsection). Downgraded to the verified umbrella section. |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | 5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(J) (Personnel — all staff shall acquaint themselves with the child abuse and neglect law and make a report of any suspected child abuse or neglect to the Children's Division at 1-800-392-3738 or online at https://apps.dss.mo.gov/OnlineCanReporting). Underlying mandated-reporter statute RSMo 210.115 (day care/child-care workers are mandated reporters). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.102(2)(J) — subsection renumbered from (2)(J) to (1)(J).) |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | 5 CSR 25-500.132 (Admission Policies and Procedures — enrollment information and written admission policies). Tuition/parent-fee schedules are NOT codified; state license/application requirements are under the licensing process at 5 CSR 25-500.042 and RSMo 210.211/210.221. Closest verified umbrella for enrollment is 5 CSR 25-500.132. (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.132.) |
| Health and Safety Policies | 5 CSR 25-500.082 (Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers); see also 5 CSR 25-500.087 (Fire Safety) and 5 CSR 25-500.192 (Health Care). (Old: 19 CSR 30-62.082 / .087 / .192.) |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | 5 CSR 25-500.042(21) (Licensing Process — the provider shall not deny a child admission to, or the benefits of, any program provided by the group child care home or child care center on the basis of race, sex, religion, or national origin). CORRECTED: this provision lives in .042(21), not in .032 as the draft stated. (Old draft cite 19 CSR 30-62.032(1)(BB) was incorrect/unverified; the actual provision is 5 CSR 25-500.042(21), formerly 19 CSR 30-62.042.) |
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Missouri Licensing Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
Which agency regulates childcare licensing in Missouri?
Childcare licensing in Missouri is regulated by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Childhood — Section for Child Care Regulation/Compliance (licensing of Group Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers under 5 CSR 25-500). Licensing authority and rulemaking transferred from the Dept. of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to the DESE Office of Childhood in 2021; the licensing rules were formally MOVED from 19 CSR 30-62 to 5 CSR 25-500 (Title 5, Division 25, Chapter 500) and the old 19 CSR 30-62 sections now read 'Moved to 5 CSR 25-500.XXX'. DHSS retains the day care immunization rule (19 CSR 20-28.040) and the Family Care Safety Registry.. Official licensing information is published at https://dese.mo.gov/childhood/child-care.
How many handbook policy sections does Missouri require?
Missouri requires at least 13 mandatory policy sections in a licensed center's parent handbook, each backed by a specific state regulatory citation.
How often does Missouri inspect licensed childcare centers?
Per DESE Office of Childhood: licensed child care facilities are inspected at least twice annually by the Section for Child Care Compliance for compliance monitoring, plus at least one annual fire safety inspection and at least one annual environmental sanitation inspection. The provider must permit department access to the facility, premises, and records during all inspections (5 CSR 25-500.042(20)). NOTE: DESE's official inspection-process page does not explicitly characterize the compliance visits as 'unannounced,' and the draft's cite to 19 CSR 30-62.032(1)(Y) for unannounced visits could not be confirmed under the current Title 5 rule.
What happens if a Missouri center is out of compliance?
Per RSMo 210.245: violating any provision of sections 210.201 to 210.245 (child care licensing law) is a class C misdemeanor for a first offense with a fine not to exceed $750; subsequent offenses are a class A misdemeanor with a fine up to $2,000 per day, not to exceed a total of $10,000. Operating an unlicensed, nonexempt child care facility carries a civil penalty of not less than $750 and not more than $2,000. The department may also deny, suspend, place on probation, or revoke a license for noncompliance (RSMo 210.221 / 5 CSR 25-500.042). Failure by a mandated reporter to report suspected child abuse/neglect is a separate offense (RSMo 210.115 / 210.165).
Missouri childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Missouri administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Childhood — Section for Child Care Regulation/Compliance (licensing of Group Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers under 5 CSR 25-500). Licensing authority and rulemaking transferred from the Dept. of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to the DESE Office of Childhood in 2021; the licensing rules were formally MOVED from 19 CSR 30-62 to 5 CSR 25-500 (Title 5, Division 25, Chapter 500) and the old 19 CSR 30-62 sections now read 'Moved to 5 CSR 25-500.XXX'. DHSS retains the day care immunization rule (19 CSR 20-28.040) and the Family Care Safety Registry. before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.