Types of Child Care Facilities in Missouri

Child Care

Child care may be provided in a family child care home, a group child care home, a child care center, or a license-exempt facility (nursery school or a facility run by a religious organization).

Family Child Care Home

A "family child care home" is a child care program where care is given by a person licensed as a family child care home provider. If there is one adult child care provider, family child care homes may be licensed for up to six children, including a maximum of three children under two and/or for up to ten children including a maximum of two children under two. If only four children are present, all the children may be under age two. If the provider has an assistant present, the home may be licensed for up to ten children, including a maximum of four children under two, or for up to eight children who may all be under two.

Group Child Care Home

A "group child care home" is a child care program where care is given by a person licensed as a group child care home provider for 11-20 children. A group child care home may be a location other than the provider's permanent residence or separate from the provider's living quarters. Group child care homes must meet the same requirements for staff/child ratios as child care centers.

Child Care Center

Child care centers may provide care for any number of children dependent on the director's qualifications, available staffing, amount of usable indoor floor space, amount of outdoor play space and materials and equipment. A child care center may be in a location other than the provider's permanent residence or a separate form the provider's living quarters.

Nursery School

A "nursery school" is a program for preschool children that is operated for no more than four hours per child per day.

Child Care Programs Operated by a Religious Organization

Child care programs that are under the exclusive control of a religious organization caring for children up to 18 years of age.

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