How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in Missouri (2026)

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Childhood

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Childhood

DESE, Office of Childhood, Child Care Compliance and Regulation sections provide regulatory oversight

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dese.mo.gov/childhood/child-care-licensing

Child Care Licensing

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dese.mo.gov/childhood/start-child-care-program

Application for License to Operate a Child Care Facility

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family-home caregivers must be at least 18.

Family-home caregivers must be at least 18.

Caregivers shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Center directors' education and experience requirements vary by licensed capacity; the department must verify qualifications before employment.

Center directors' education and experience requirements vary by licensed capacity; the department must verify qualifications before employment.

Child care center directors employed after the effective date of these rules shall meet the following education or experience requirements, or both, as determined by the licensed capacity of the center in which they are to serve: ... Official verification of the education and experience of the group child care home provider or center director shall be on file with the department prior to beginning employment

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

For director/group-home qualification credit, experience must be responsible, supervised, paid child care work. Full time means at least 35 hours weekly; part-time experience may be prorated.

For director/group-home qualification credit, experience must be responsible, supervised, paid child care work. Full time means at least 35 hours weekly; part-time experience may be prorated.

All experience must have been responsible, supervised, full-time (a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours per week) paid experience in working with children in a child care setting. Part-time experience, which is less than thirty-five (35) hours per week, may be prorated.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

12 hours

12

Child care professionals in licensed child care facilities are required to receive 12 clock hours of training approved by DESE from January 1 to December 31 each year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Group homes and centers: at least one approved area among child development, family-teacher partnerships, child observation, developmentally appropriate practice, curriculum, professionalism, health/safety and leadership.

Group homes and centers: at least one approved area among child development, family-teacher partnerships, child observation, developmentally appropriate practice, curriculum, professionalism, health/safety and leadership.

The clock hour training shall include one (1) or more of the department-approved content areas. The eight (8) content areas address child development, family-teacher partnerships, child observation, developmentally appropriate practice, early childhood curriculum, professionalism, health and safety, and leadership.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Anyone caring for more than six children, or more than three under age two, must be licensed or qualify for an exemption.

Anyone caring for more than six children, or more than three under age two, must be licensed or qualify for an exemption.

Any person providing care to more than six children, or more than three children under age 2, must be licensed or qualify for an exemption in order to operate.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family homes serve up to ten children in the provider's home or a home-like setting.

Family homes serve up to ten children in the provider's home or a home-like setting.

A Family Child Care Home is a licensed facility where care is provided for no more than 10 children for any part of the 24-hour day in a provider’s home or a home-like setting.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family-home applicants start with free licensing orientation, available online or in person.

Family-home applicants start with free licensing orientation, available online or in person.

the first step is to take the free Child Care Licensing Orientation. ... The Licensing Orientation is available in-person ... The Licensing Orientation is also available online

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Group-home and center applicants also start with free licensing orientation.

Group-home and center applicants also start with free licensing orientation.

If you are interested in opening a Licensed Group Home or a Licensed Child Care Center, the first step is to take the free Child Care Licensing Orientation.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

New staff and volunteers in licensed programs serving infants must complete infant safe-sleep training within 30 days of hire.

New staff and volunteers in licensed programs serving infants must complete infant safe-sleep training within 30 days of hire.

New staff members or volunteers at licensed programs serving infants must complete infant safe sleep training within thirty days of being hired.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026