Mississippi childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Health. Any facility serving 6 or more children for 3 or more hours per day must be licensed. Mississippi offers a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) called Mississippi Child Care Quality Step System (CCQSS) with tiered standards above the minimum license.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1:5 | 10 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months) | 1:6 | 12 |
| 2 years | 1:8 | 16 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | 1:12 | 24 |
| School age | 1:20 | 40 |
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Mississippi Immunization Schedule required on file.
Medical/Health Assessment
Physician-signed health report required for enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
Exemption Policy
Medical exemptions only. Mississippi does not permit religious or philosophical exemptions for child care enrollment.
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
High school diploma or GED required. Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework recommended.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Contact MSDH for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by MSDH. Contact the licensing office for current standards.
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact MSDH Child Care Facilities Licensure to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact MSDH for current fee schedule.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
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