Become a Subsidy Provider

Child care subsidy providers serve an important role in our community. Not only do they provide an environment that offers children access to early learning and literacy, they also lessen the burden of the cost of care for low income families across the state. By entering into a contract with DESE/Office of Childhood (OOC), subsidy providers receive subsidy payments directly from the state for services rendered. Subsidy payments offset the full cost of child care, leaving parents responsible for only a small portion of the cost. The cost to the parent is known as the sliding scale fee. Sliding scale fees can range from $1 per year to $5 per day depending on the financial need of the parent(s).

Providers who are licensed, accredited, and/or serving underserved populations may also be eligible for enhanced subsidy rates.

Subsidy Provider Types

Six or Fewer Provider

This provider type does not require a license as long as the they do not care for more than 6 children or more than three children under two years old in their home or in the home of the child(ren). Click the checklist below to get started.

Initial Application Checklist

• Required Forms
  • Agreement Contract for Services
  • Application for Vendor Direct Deposit
  • Comprehensive Background Check Notification Form
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment
  • Physical & Mental Health Assessment 
  • Child Care Enrollment Information 
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan

• Training Information
  • Subsidy Provider Training Requirements
  • OPEN Initiative
  • Required Trainings:
    • Child Care Subsidy Orientation (approximately 1 hour)
    • CCDF Health & Safety Training
    • Pediatric First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification from a DESE approved national model

• Resources
  • Missouri Highway Patrol's Fingerprint Search Portal (MACHS)
    • 4 digit registration number: 8897
  • Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) 

Licensed Provider

This provider type is licensed through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) which meets most of the child care subsidy requirements. In order for a licensed child care provider to receive child care subsidy, they must apply and complete 3 additional trainings. Click the checklist to get started.

Initial Application Checklist

• Required Forms
  • Agreement Contract for Services
  • Application for Vendor Direct Deposit
  • Child Care Provider Staff Listing

• Training Information
  • Subsidy Provider Training Requirements
  • OPEN Initiative
  • Required Trainings:
    • Child Care Subsidy Orientation  (approximately 1 hour)
    • CCDF Health & Safety Training
    • Pediatric First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification from a DESE approved national model

• Resources
  • Form 943 - Request for Tax Clearance

Licensed-Exempt Provider

This provider type is exempt from licensure and includes schools, summer camps, and religious organizations. Click the checklist to get started.

Initial Application Checklist

• Required Forms
  • Agreement Contract for Services
  • Application for Vendor Direct Deposit
  • Comprehensive Background Check Notification Form
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment
  • Child Care Provider Staff Listing
  • Child Care Enrollment Information
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan
  • Child Care Provider Staff Listing

• Training Information
  • Subsidy Provider Training Requirements
  • OPEN Initiative
  • Required Trainings:
    • Child Care Subsidy Orientation  (approximately 1 hour)
    • CCDF Health & Safety Training
    • Pediatric First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification from a DESE approved national model

• Resources
  • Missouri Highway Patrol's Fingerprint Search Portal (MACHS)
    • 4 digit registration number: 8897
  • Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) 

Out of State Provider

This provider type is not located in the State of Missouri but serves Missouri children receiving child care subsidy. They are required to either be licensed and/or contracted to receive child care subsidy in the state where they are located.

Please contact the Child Care Subsidy section at CCSubsidyAgreements@dese.mo.gov or 573-256-3011