Child Care Background Check Process

General Information

  • Before a child care staff member can start working or be present at the facility, the comprehensive background check process must be complete and an eligibility determination must be on file.
  • Child care staff members include:
    • a child care provider;
    • persons employed by the child care provider for compensation, including contract employees or self-employed individuals;
    • individuals or volunteers whose activities involve the care or supervision of children for a child care provider or unsupervised access to children who are cared for or supervised by a child care provider; or
    • individuals residing in a family child care home who are eighteen years of age and older.
  • A comprehensive background check must be completed for each child care staff member every 5 years.
  • The comprehensive background check includes fingerprinting, a sex offender registry search, and a Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) screening.
    • Tips:
      • Once you have interest in hiring an individual, provide the fingerprint and FCSR information to the potential child care staff member.
        • If the individual is not registered with FCSR, have them complete that process as soon as possible.
      • The potential child care staff member does not need to be fingerprinted again if they already have an eligibility letter dated within the last 5 years and:
        • Have not been separated from employment in a child care facility for more than 180 days
        • Have an eligible letter issued by the Office of Childhood, Department of Social Services, or Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) for the purposes of child care employment
  • The provider will need to request a new FCSR screening. 
Fingerprinting

The individual must register for fingerprinting through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS).

Tips:

  • Step-by-step instructions are provided on the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Applicant Fingerprint Services Form.
  • Use the MACHS registration number 8897 - this ensures the results can be viewable by the Office of Childhood (OOC).
  • Once registered with MACHS, the individual is able to view fingerprint locations and schedule an appointment.
  • The OOC cannot accept fingerprints from a different agency or under a different MACHS registration code.
  • Once the individual completes fingerprints, they should provide their receipt to the child care provider.
  • The child care provider then submits a Comprehensive Background Check Notification form to the OOC.
Family Care Safety Registry Screening
First, the individual must register with FCSR operated by DHSS.

Tips:

  • The FCSR registration process is a one-time process. Online registration is quick and easy.
Next, the provider must request a FCSR background screening.

Tips:

  • You can verify if an individual has already submitted an FCSR registration.
  • There are multiple ways to request a screening on an individual with a completed FCSR registration.
  • Request the FCSR screening no more than 15 days before the date the individual completes fingerprints or any time thereafter.
A FCSR background screening must be performed on all child care staff members every time a comprehensive background check is completed, and 30 days prior to the licensee’s anniversary date, or as a part of the annual registration renewal for registered child care providers.
 
FCSR’s main webpage is a great site to add to your internet favorites for future screenings.
Eligibility Determination

After the potential child care staff member completes fingerprinting and the provider requests the FCSR screening, the provider must submit a Comprehensive Background Check Notification form to the OOC.

Tips:

  • Make sure the entire top part of the form is complete and add the required information for each individual that needs an eligibility determination.
  • When you download the form on the website, it is fillable. You can type the information onto the form – this makes it easier for staff processing the request to read information.
  • If an individual has lived in a state other than Missouri within the past 5 years, OOC may contact the provider and/or the individual to provide contact information for that state to can request a Child Abuse/Neglect registry screening and/or a criminal history check.
Once the MSHP processes the fingerprints and DHSS processes the FCSR screening, the OOC reviews the results.
The OOC sends the provider and the individual the results of the comprehensive background screening.
The letter shows if the individual is eligible or ineligible to work or be present in a child care facility.

Tips:

  • Most letters will come to you through email.
  • The individual should keep a copy of their letter for any future child care employers.
  • The provider must keep a copy of the letter they receive on file for review during inspections.
  • Eligibility determinations are good for 5 years from the date on the letter and are specific to the individual.
Resources
Information for Other States that Need a Missouri Background Check
If you need to request a criminal background screening, send your request to:
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
P.O. Box 9500 Jefferson City, MO 65102
http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/CRID/crimRecChk.html
 
If you need to request a Child Abuse and Neglect report, review the below website for additional instructions:
http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/CRID/crimRecChk.html#outstate

Direct questions on the comprehensive background check process to OCBackgroundChecks@dese.mo.gov or call 573-751-2450, option 2.