Missouri ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Missouri DHSS Child Care Center Licensing Rules (19 CSR 30-62) regulations. Bloomily helps Missouri childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Missouri licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Birth to 24 months (mixed infant/toddler groups). Regulation groups birth–36 months at 1:4/max 8 for mixed groups; the 0–24 band applies this rate to pure infant and mixed infant-toddler groups. | 1:4 | 8 children |
toddler Groups composed solely of children 24–36 months (2-year-olds only). If any child under 24 months is present, the 1:4 mixed-age rate applies instead. | 1:8 | 16 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) 3- and 4-year-olds (36–60 months). Production split this into two bands (36–48 and 48–60) but the regulation treats 3- through 4-year-olds as one group. | 1:10 | 20 children |
School Age (5+ years) 5 years and older (60–156 months). Regulation says '5-year-olds and up' with no specified upper age limit for ratios; production used 168 mo but instructions default to 156 mo when unspecified. | 1:16 | 32 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Missouri childcare staff
Annual Clock Hour Training (12 hours)
Missouri required 12 clock hours annual professional development per 19 CSR 30-62.052
Background Screening (Missouri)
Missouri Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) background screening per 19 CSR 30-62.042
Child Abuse/Neglect Recognition (Missouri)
Child abuse and neglect recognition and reporting training
Child Care Provider Orientation (Missouri)
DHSS-approved child care provider orientation training
Director Qualifications (Missouri)
Director qualifications per 19 CSR 30-62.052 including education and experience
FBI Fingerprint Check (Missouri)
FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check required
First Aid (Missouri)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Group Leader Qualifications (Missouri)
Group leader qualifications including high school diploma and experience
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Pediatric CPR (Missouri)
Infant and child CPR certification required per 19 CSR 30-62.052
Safe Sleep Training (Missouri)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per 19 CSR 30-62.092
Staff Health Assessment (Missouri)
Initial health assessment and TB screening required
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Missouri childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
At least 1 fire drill per month; written record required of date, type of drill, evacuation time, and number of children present (5 CSR 25-500.087).
Ref: 5 CSR 25-500.087 (fire drills) and 5 CSR 25-500.090 (disaster drills) — Missouri Code of State Regulations, Title 5, Div. 25, Ch. 500; supersede 19 CSR 30-62.087 / 19 CSR 30-62.090
Lockdown/Security
Intruder/lockdown procedures are explicitly listed in the quarterly disaster drill rotation covering shootings, hostage incidents, and intruders (5 CSR 25-500.090). Production had semi_annually — correct type is quarterly.
Ref: 5 CSR 25-500.087 (fire drills) and 5 CSR 25-500.090 (disaster drills) — Missouri Code of State Regulations, Title 5, Div. 25, Ch. 500; supersede 19 CSR 30-62.087 / 19 CSR 30-62.090
Shelter in Place
Disaster drill cycle includes carbon monoxide, power failure, and chemical spill procedures — these are shelter-in-place type responses (5 CSR 25-500.090).
Ref: 5 CSR 25-500.087 (fire drills) and 5 CSR 25-500.090 (disaster drills) — Missouri Code of State Regulations, Title 5, Div. 25, Ch. 500; supersede 19 CSR 30-62.087 / 19 CSR 30-62.090
Other
Quarterly disaster drills also cover bomb threats, CPR/medical emergency procedures, fire extinguisher use, and staff duties in emergencies (5 CSR 25-500.090).
Ref: 5 CSR 25-500.087 (fire drills) and 5 CSR 25-500.090 (disaster drills) — Missouri Code of State Regulations, Title 5, Div. 25, Ch. 500; supersede 19 CSR 30-62.087 / 19 CSR 30-62.090
Tornado/Severe Weather
Tornado drills are explicitly listed as part of the quarterly disaster drill rotation (5 CSR 25-500.090). Production listed 'severe_weather monthly' — frequency is quarterly, not monthly.
Ref: 5 CSR 25-500.087 (fire drills) and 5 CSR 25-500.090 (disaster drills) — Missouri Code of State Regulations, Title 5, Div. 25, Ch. 500; supersede 19 CSR 30-62.087 / 19 CSR 30-62.090
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Missouri Pre-Inspection Checklist
Based on DHSS Child Care Center Licensing Rules (19 CSR 30-62) requirements • 50 items • Generated from bloomily.app
Center Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________
Licensing
License posted in visible location
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.022
License capacity not exceeded
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.022
Operational policies current and available
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.032
Parent handbook distributed to all families
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.032
DHSS inspection reports available to parents
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.022
Physical Environment
Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Outdoor play area meets minimum (50 sq ft per child)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Temperature maintained 68-78°F
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Adequate lighting and ventilation
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Handwashing sinks accessible to children
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Drinking water readily available
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Napping equipment clean and appropriate
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Health & Safety
First aid kit fully stocked and accessible
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Medications stored in locked cabinet
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Emergency medications readily accessible
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Cleaning supplies stored out of reach
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Hazardous materials secured from children
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Emergency evacuation plan posted
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Fire drill log current (monthly drills)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Tornado drill log current (monthly during season)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Lockdown drill log current (semi-annual)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Fire extinguishers charged and accessible
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Outdoor equipment safe and age-appropriate
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Staff Requirements
FCSR background screening current for all staff
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.042
FBI fingerprint check completed
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.042
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Group leaders meet qualifications
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
All staff have current CPR certification
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
All staff have current First Aid certification
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Annual clock hour training (12 hours) documented
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Child abuse/neglect recognition training
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Safe sleep training (infant caregivers)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Provider orientation completed
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Staff health assessments on file
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Ratios
Infant ratio maintained (1:4, max group 8)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Toddler ratio maintained (1:4, max group 8)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Two year old ratio maintained (1:8, max group 16)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Preschool ratio maintained (1:10, max group 20)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
School-age ratio maintained (1:16, max group 32)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Child Records
Emergency contact forms complete for all children
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Immunization records current (ShowMeVax or provider)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Medical exam within 30 days of enrollment
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Allergy information documented and accessible
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Medication authorization forms on file
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Operations
Daily attendance records maintained
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Children supervised at all times
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
This checklist is provided for reference only. Always verify requirements with your state licensing agency.
© 2026 Bloomily • bloomily.app/childcare-licensing/mo
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Missouri DHSS Child Care Center Licensing Rules (19 CSR 30-62) requirements
License posted in visible location
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.022
License capacity not exceeded
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.022
Operational policies current and available
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.032
Parent handbook distributed to all families
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.032
DHSS inspection reports available to parents
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.022
Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Outdoor play area meets minimum (50 sq ft per child)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Temperature maintained 68-78°F
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Adequate lighting and ventilation
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Handwashing sinks accessible to children
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Drinking water readily available
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Napping equipment clean and appropriate
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
First aid kit fully stocked and accessible
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Medications stored in locked cabinet
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Emergency medications readily accessible
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Cleaning supplies stored out of reach
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Hazardous materials secured from children
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Emergency evacuation plan posted
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Fire drill log current (monthly drills)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Tornado drill log current (monthly during season)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Lockdown drill log current (semi-annual)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Fire extinguishers charged and accessible
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.082
Outdoor equipment safe and age-appropriate
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.072
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
FCSR background screening current for all staff
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.042
FBI fingerprint check completed
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.042
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Group leaders meet qualifications
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
All staff have current CPR certification
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
All staff have current First Aid certification
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Annual clock hour training (12 hours) documented
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Child abuse/neglect recognition training
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Safe sleep training (infant caregivers)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Provider orientation completed
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Staff health assessments on file
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.052
Infant ratio maintained (1:4, max group 8)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Toddler ratio maintained (1:4, max group 8)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Two year old ratio maintained (1:8, max group 16)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Preschool ratio maintained (1:10, max group 20)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
School-age ratio maintained (1:16, max group 32)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Emergency contact forms complete for all children
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Immunization records current (ShowMeVax or provider)
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Medical exam within 30 days of enrollment
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Allergy information documented and accessible
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Medication authorization forms on file
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Daily attendance records maintained
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Children supervised at all times
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.092
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: 19 CSR 30-62.102
Missouri compliance and operations resources
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
Ready to simplify Missouri compliance?
Join childcare centers across Missouri that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.
60-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime.