Missouri

Staff-child ratios

Requirements

Annual training

All caregivers must complete at least 12 clock hours of child-care-related training each calendar year (one college credit hour = 15 clock hours); current first aid/CPR certification is also required, and infant-care facilities need safe sleep training every three years (5 CSR 25-500.102).

Lead teacher

Missouri does not require a formal education credential for caregivers: staff must be of good character, capable of carrying out assigned responsibilities, and only caregivers 18 or older count toward staff/child ratios (5 CSR 25-500.102).

Director

Director requirements scale with licensed capacity: e.g., centers for 21–60 children require 60 college semester hours (12 child-related) or 24 months of child care experience plus 12 child-related semester hours; smaller centers can qualify with a CDA, and the largest tiers require up to 120 semester hours or 4 years of experience (5 CSR 25-500.102).

Worth knowing

The general 1:4 (group 8) ratio applies to groups containing children under 24 months and mixed groups up to 36 months; groups of only 2-year-olds may use 1:8 (group 16). Mixed-age groups with more than four 2-year-olds use 1:8; otherwise 1:10. Outdoor play without under-2s may relax ratios to 1.5x. Rules were recodified under DESE effective Jan. 30, 2024.