To be the qualified director of a licensed child care center, Child Care Regulation must certify that the applicant’s education, including any equivalent work experience, meets the requirements in licensing rule 5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(B)2. and 3.
STEP 1
To request certification, the director applicant submits the Center Director/Group Child Care Home Provider Certification Request Form (MO500-3296) and required supporting documents (listed on page 2 of the MO500-3296) to Child Care Regulation, Director Certification, PO BOX 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or via email at CCDirectors@dese.mo.gov
Licensing rules require a center director to have the following education/work experience qualifications:
| Licensed Capacity | Education and Experience |
|---|---|
| Up to 20 Children/Group Home Provider |
Thirty (30) college semester credits, with six (6) of the credits in child-related courses, OR Twelve (12) months' experience with six (6) college semester credits in child-related courses, OR Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, OR Youth Development Credential (YDC), OR |
| 21 - 60 Children |
Sixty (60) college semester credits with twelve (12) of the credits in child-related courses, OR Twenty-four (24) months' experience with twelve (12) college semester credits in child-related courses, OR |
| 61 - 99 Children |
Ninety (90) college semester credits with eighteen (18) of the credits in child related courses, OR Thirty-six (36) months' experience with eighteen (18) college semester credits in child-related courses, OR |
| 100 or More Children |
One hundred twenty (120) college semester credits with twenty-four (24) of the credits in child related courses Six (6) of the twenty-four (24) college semester credits may include courses in business or management OR Four (4) years experience with twenty-four( 24) college semester credits in child-related courses Six (6) of the twenty-four (24) college semester credits may include courses in business or management |
Sample child-related credit course list
Child care work experience can be submitted to substitute for overall college credit, but cannot count towards the child-related credit requirement
The Child Care Regulation Program Coordinator will enter a determination on the Center Director/Group Child Care Home Provider Certification Request Form (MO500-3296) and return it to the director applicant. Once the applicant has received the approved certification with the Program Coordinator’s signature, then the licensee can move on to Step 2.
Questions regarding Director Certifications should be directed to CCDirectors@dese.mo.gov.
STEP 2
The licensee must submit the Center Director/Group Child Care Home Provider Approval Request (MO500-3290) and required supporting documents (listed on the MO500-3290) to the Child Care Compliance Inspector before an individual can work as the qualified director in a licensed child care center.
Questions regarding Director Approvals should be directed to the Regional Office.