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