Missouri Daycare Self-Inspection Checklist (Printable)

Recent and upcoming changes

Allergy prevention and response policy adopted (required before July 1, 2028) § 210.225, RSMo (HB 2372, 2026) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Child care facilities may stock epinephrine § 196.990, RSMo (HB 2372, 2026) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care The same 2026 law adds child care facilities to the list of "authorized entities" that may get a prescription for, stock and use epinephrine delivery systems (not only auto-injectors) for someone having an apparent…
Temporary licenses § 210.221, RSMo (2025 amendment) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A 2025 law lets DESE issue a temporary license so a provider can open a new site or expand an existing one while the full license is pending.
Licensing rules rewrite under way Executive Order 25-15 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Governor Kehoe's Executive Order 25-15 (January 28, 2025) told the Office of Childhood to rewrite the child care licensing rules, cut requirements by at least 10% and make them easier to read.
Last major rule amendments 5 CSR 25-500.010, .102, .112, .182 (amended effective Jan. 30, 2024) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care The center and group home definitions, personnel, ratio and program rules were last amended effective January 30, 2024, and the family home personnel rule (5 CSR 25-400.105) effective April 30, 2023.

Who needs a license

Licensed for the number and ages of children actually in care § 210.211, RSMo Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
License types 5 CSR 25-400.010; 5 CSR 25-500.010 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A family child care home cares for no more than 10 children.
Getting licensed 5 CSR 25-500.042; 5 CSR 25-400.045 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Applicants complete DESE's online licensing orientation, then apply.
Posting and capacity 5 CSR 25-500.042(12)–(18) Centers · Group child care homes Post the license near the entrance, along with the names, addresses and phone numbers of the provider, owners, board president or managers.
Family Care Safety Registry check on every staff member within 30 days before the license anniversary 5 CSR 25-500.052; 5 CSR 25-400.055 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Overlap care and school closings 5 CSR 25-500.162; 5 CSR 25-500.172 Centers · Group child care homes With DESE's written approval, a facility may go up to one-third over its licensed capacity for overlap periods such as shift changes or before and after school, for no more than 2 hours a day in total.

Staff-to-child ratios

Ratios: birth–36 months 1:4, 2-year-olds only 1:8, 3–4 years 1:10, 5 and up 1:16, mixed Type 1 1:10, Type 2 1:8 5 CSR 25-500.112 Centers · Group child care homes
When the ratio changes 5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(C), (G), (2)–(4) Centers · Group child care homes At naptime, groups of children 2 and older don't need the ratio inside the napping area, but the ratio must be met on the premises.
Who counts in the ratio 5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(C) Centers · Group child care homes Caregivers 18 or older count. A Junior Aide (16 or 17) counts only under the direct supervision of an adult caregiver in the same group, never for infants and toddlers, and may never be the only caregiver with a group…
Family home: 1 caregiver up to 4 (4 under 2), 5–6 (3 under 2), 7–10 (2 under 2); 2 caregivers up to 8 under 2, or 10 with 4 under 2 5 CSR 25-400.105(2) Family child care
Ratios on outings 5 CSR 25-500.212(3)(C) Centers · Group child care homes Staff-to-child ratios must be maintained whenever children are transported away from the facility.

Group size and space

Group sizes: birth–36 months 8, 2-year-olds 16, 3–4 years 20, 5 and up 32 5 CSR 25-500.112 Centers · Group child care homes
Indoor space 5 CSR 25-500.082(2) Centers · Group child care homes Provide at least 35 square feet of usable floor space per preschool and school-age child, measured wall to wall, not counting kitchens, bathrooms, offices, hallways or permanently placed cribs and cots.
Family home space 5 CSR 25-400.085(2)–(3) Family child care A family home needs at least 35 square feet of usable floor space per child and 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child.
Outdoor play area 5 CSR 25-500.082(6) Centers · Group child care homes Centers and group homes need a fenced outdoor play area (42-inch fence for new facilities or new fences) with at least 75 square feet per child using it at one time, enough for one-third of licensed capacity and never…

Staff qualifications

Center director education by size 5 CSR 25-500.102(2) Centers A director must be on duty at least 40 hours a week during the hours of highest attendance (or half the operating hours if the program runs less than 40).
Group home provider 5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(B)2. Group child care homes A group child care home provider needs at least 30 college semester hours with 6 in child-related courses, or 12 months of experience plus 6 child-related hours, a Child Development Associate (CDA) or a Youth…
All caregivers 5 CSR 25-500.102(1) Centers · Group child care homes Caregivers must be capable, know children's needs, and be able to handle emergencies.
Family home provider and assistant 5 CSR 25-400.105(1), (3) Family child care The provider must be on duty at least 40 hours a week during peak attendance and may not hold another job while on duty.
Current first aid/CPR: one certified caregiver on site at all times (centers: 1 per 20 licensed capacity) 5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(T); 5 CSR 25-400.105(1)(S) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care

Background checks

DESE eligibility letter on file for every staff member and adult household member before they are present 5 CSR 25-600.010(4); 5 CSR 25-600.020 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Every 5 years, and portability 5 CSR 25-600.020(5); 5 CSR 25-600.010(4) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Checks must be repeated every 5 years. A new employer doesn't need a new check if the person had a qualifying check within 5 years while working for another Missouri provider and has been out of child care for no more…
Who is disqualified 5 CSR 25-600.040 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A person is ineligible if they refuse the check, make a materially false statement, are on a sex offender registry, are listed as a perpetrator of child abuse or neglect, or have a plea or finding of guilt for listed…
Family Care Safety Registry 5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(P); 5 CSR 25-500.052(2)(C) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Run a Family Care Safety Registry screening before hiring anyone who has a qualifying background check, and again for every staff member within 30 days before each license anniversary.
Appealing an ineligibility finding 5 CSR 25-600.050 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A staff member found ineligible may appeal in writing to DESE within 10 days of the mailing of the notice, as § 210.1080 allows.

Training

Each caregiver: 12 DESE-approved clock hours this calendar year, recorded under their MOPD ID 5 CSR 25-500.102(3); 5 CSR 25-400.105(4) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Orientation within 7 days 5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(K)–(L); 5 CSR 25-400.105(1)(J) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Within 7 days of starting, and before being left alone with children, each new caregiver gets a documented orientation: a facility tour; the licensing rules and the license's limits; policies for medication, illness and…
Safe sleep training within 30 days of hire and every 3 years (infant programs) 5 CSR 25-500.102(4); 5 CSR 25-400.105(5) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care

Health and safety

Daily health observation and exclusion 5 CSR 25-500.192(2); 5 CSR 25-400.185 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Observe each child for illness on arrival and throughout the day.
Accidents and injuries 5 CSR 25-500.192(5) Centers · Group child care homes Notify the parent immediately of any accident or injury.
Diapering and handwashing 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(E); 5 CSR 25-500.192(6) Centers · Group child care homes Use a diapering table with a washable surface, disinfect it after each use, and never leave a child on it.
Staff health exams and TB 5 CSR 25-500.122; 5 CSR 25-400.125 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Everyone working in the facility during care hours, including volunteers counted in ratio, needs a medical examination report signed by a physician (or a nurse under a physician's supervision) dated within 12 months…
No tobacco 5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(K); 5 CSR 25-400.085(1)(L) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care No one may smoke or use tobacco anywhere in the facility while children in care are present.

Facility, furniture and hazards

Weapons and ammunition in a locked cabinet or closet; chemicals and medicines out of reach 5 CSR 25-500.082(1); 5 CSR 25-400.085(1) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Indoor conditions 5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A) Centers · Group child care homes Rooms must be 68°F to 85°F measured 2 feet off the floor, lit to at least 10 footcandles, clean and pest-free, and painted only with lead-free paint.
Furniture and toys 5 CSR 25-500.092(1)–(2); 5 CSR 25-400.095 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Furniture and equipment must be safely built, in good repair, free of sharp or loose parts, and arranged to keep exits clear.
Outdoor equipment anchored; resilient surfacing in every fall zone; no trampolines 5 CSR 25-500.092(3); 5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Swimming and wading pools 5 CSR 25-500.082(7) Centers · Group child care homes Pools must be filtered and fenced (42 inches with a locked gate for new facilities).
Smoke, CO and fire equipment 5 CSR 25-500.087(12) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Install smoke detectors in every child care room, and a carbon monoxide detector if the facility has fuel-burning equipment or an attached garage.

Emergency preparedness and drills

Fire drill every month and disaster/tornado drill every 3 months, each logged with date, type, evacuation time and number of children 5 CSR 25-500.087(2)(F); 5 CSR 25-400.086(2)(C) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Written disaster and emergency plan 5 CSR 25-500.090; 5 CSR 25-400.090 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care The plan must cover fire, tornado, flood, chemical spill, carbon monoxide, power failure, bomb threat, a person whose behavior may be harmful, kidnapping or a missing child, evacuation (including from a vehicle) and…
Report any fire 5 CSR 25-500.087(2)(L) Centers · Group child care homes Report any fire in the facility immediately to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and to the licensing agency.

Medication

Dated written parent permission with duration for every medication; original labeled containers; locked or out of reach 5 CSR 25-500.192(3); 5 CSR 25-400.185(3) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Medication log 5 CSR 25-500.192(3)(I); 5 CSR 25-400.185(3)(I) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Promptly record the date and time of each dose, the name of the person who gave it and the amount.

Immunizations

Immunization record or exemption on file for every child 5 CSR 25-500.192(4); 5 CSR 25-400.185(4) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Annual summary by January 15 5 CSR 25-500.192(4)(D) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Keep an immunization record for each child, and send the state an annual summary report of every enrolled child's immunization status by January 15.
Child health exams 5 CSR 25-500.122(2) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Within 30 days of admission, each infant, toddler and preschool child needs a medical examination report signed by a physician (or a nurse under a physician's supervision), completed within the 12 months before…

Nutrition

Meals and snacks 5 CSR 25-500.202(1); 5 CSR 25-400.190 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Children in daytime care get breakfast or a mid-morning snack, lunch, and a mid-afternoon snack, with no more than 4 hours between meals or snacks.
Infant feeding 5 CSR 25-500.202(2) Centers · Group child care homes Feed infants according to a written diet plan from the parent, kept up to date until the parent approves table foods in writing.

Safe sleep

Infants on their backs, face uncovered, nothing soft in the crib 5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(C)4.; 5 CSR 25-400.175 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Cribs and bedding 5 CSR 25-500.092(1)(B); 5 CSR 25-400.095 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Each infant and toddler gets an individually assigned crib, portable crib or playpen meeting the federal crib standards (16 CFR 1219/1220).
Written safe sleep policy 5 CSR 25-500.132(2); § 210.223, RSMo Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Facilities serving infants must have a written safe sleep policy covering staff training, back-to-sleep, health-provider exceptions, how infants are supervised while sleeping (staff positioning, lighting, physical…
Nap supervision 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)5.–6.; 5 CSR 25-400.175(1)(A)5.–7. Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care In centers and group homes, a caregiver stays in the room with napping preschool and school-age children and must be able to see and hear them.

Discipline and supervision

Written discipline policy given to parents; no physical punishment; time-out no longer than 1 minute per year of age 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C); 5 CSR 25-400.175(1)(C) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Supervision and abuse reporting 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A); 5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(J) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Never leave a child without competent supervision.

Records

Child files 5 CSR 25-500.222(2)–(4); 5 CSR 25-400.210 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Each child's file includes the child's name, address, birth date, start and end dates; parents' names, addresses, employers, work schedules and phone numbers; another emergency contact; the physician and hospital; the…
Before a child starts 5 CSR 25-500.132(8) Centers · Group child care homes Before accepting a child, have the parent complete the enrollment record, information on development and habits, a diet plan for infants and toddlers, emergency care permission, immunization status, transportation and…
Staff records 5 CSR 25-500.222(8); 5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(L) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Keep each staff member's qualifying background screening results (confidentially), orientation documentation, medical exam report, training and first aid/CPR certification on file for review.

Attendance and sign-in/sign-out

Daily child attendance and daily staff attendance records kept for at least 1 year 5 CSR 25-500.222(5)–(6); 5 CSR 25-400.210 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Personal arrival and release 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)2.; 5 CSR 25-400.175(1)(A)2. Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A caregiver must personally admit each child on arrival and personally dismiss each child on departure.

Transportation and field trips

Drivers, vehicles and consent 5 CSR 25-500.212; 5 CSR 25-400.200 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Keep written parental consent for field trips and transportation, and tell parents when trips are planned.
Headcounts at every transition; vehicle checked seat by seat after every trip 5 CSR 25-500.212(3) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care

Inspections and enforcement

Fire, safety and sanitation inspections § 210.252, RSMo; 5 CSR 25-500.087(2)(A) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Every building used to care for more than six children (except most exempt programs) gets a yearly fire and safety inspection by the State Fire Marshal or a local fire district, and a yearly health and sanitation…
Licensing inspections at least twice a year DESE inspection process Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care DESE's Child Care Compliance section inspects licensed facilities at least twice a year, in addition to the fire and sanitation inspections.
Discipline of a license § 210.221, RSMo; § 210.245, RSMo Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care DESE may deny, suspend, place on probation or revoke a license for failing to follow the law or rules, and may deny a license for a location within 1,000 feet of where a registered sex offender lives.
Penalties § 210.245, RSMo Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Violating the licensing law, or making false statements to get a license, is a class C misdemeanor for the first offense (fine up to $750), and a class A misdemeanor for later offenses (up to $2,000 a day, $10,000 total…
Access for inspectors 5 CSR 25-500.042(20) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care The provider must give DESE access to the facility, premises and records during every inspection, and records must be available at the facility on request.

Appeals and variances

Appeal deadline: 30 days after notice to request an Administrative Hearing Commission hearing § 210.245.2, RSMo; § 210.241, RSMo Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Variances 5 CSR 25-500.230; 5 CSR 25-400.220; § 210.221.2, RSMo Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Any provider may ask DESE in writing for a variance from a rule, naming the rule and the reason.

Missouri daycare self-inspection checklist

Recent and upcoming changes

Who needs a license

Staff-to-child ratios

Group size and space

Staff qualifications

Background checks

Training

Health and safety

Facility, furniture and hazards

Emergency preparedness and drills

Medication

Immunizations

Nutrition

Safe sleep

Discipline and supervision

Records

Attendance and sign-in/sign-out

Transportation and field trips

Inspections and enforcement

Appeals and variances

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