It is recommended for those aspiring daycare providers as well as the staff to have a license prior to have a career in the field of childcare. Thus, every state of America such as Missouri has its own licensing standard requirement.
In the state of Missouri, each job title or position has different qualifications or requirements. However, the state has general requirements in all daycare, which include:
- Demonstration of the skills and proficiency which is needed to contribute to each child’s physical, intellectual, personal, emotional, and social development.
- In addition to the requirements in the preceding section, of this Section should generally demonstrate skill and competence needed to assume direct responsibility for childcare including management skills and skills in helping children to meet the developmental and emotional needs.
- Childcare staff should be willing to contribute in activities leading to professional growth in child development and education, and in training related to the specific needs of the children served.
The educational requirements are being discussed in the succeeding sections.
Classes offered through the State
The classes and degrees offered in various universities and colleges in the state of Missouri are not different from those offered in other states of America. Those who want to have careers in the field of daycare or childcare education can take up degrees on childhood education, childhood development, or childcare management. Furthermore, those who took up a different course can have the chance to work in the daycare or childcare industry in the state of Missouri as the state do sometimes credit or consider several courses which are closely related to childhood education given that the subject credits are equivalent.
For those daycare staff or teachers classes such as Child Care Laws, Child Growth and Development, Family and Community Relations, First Aid and CPR, Nutrition and Health, Psychology, and Small Business Management are the common classes included in childcare courses. Aside from these, basic education classes such as English, Mathematics, Sociology and others should also be taken up.
Certifications Given for Completed Classes
The state of Mississippi awards certificates or credentials same with the other states of America. The three most common credentials awarded to aspiring daycare providers and staff is CDA, CCP, and NAC. These certifications and credentials are given only to those individuals who have completed and finished the required coursework, accomplished the required credit hours, and acquired the minimum working experience. All states of America require daycare providers and staff to attend trainings on CPR or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and First Aid.
Moreover, the state of Missouri may not specify a certification that is exclusive to the state. Thus, the state’s departments which are assigned to the welfare of the children assures and continues to improve the quality of residential and foster care for children and youth by empowering the skills of the people in charge for everyday nurturing, care, and discipline of children either in residential facilities or foster home care. Several trainings are offered by the state and they are usually free of charge.
To gain the Child Development Associate credential or CDA, daycare providers must be a high school graduate or a holder of GED certification with 480 working hours and 120 hours for formal education with children in the last five years. The Certified Childcare Professional certificate is given to those daycare providers are intended for those daycare teachers who did not finish their college degree or taken up a different course.
Moreover, the state of Missouri offers the NAC or the National Administrator Credential designed for aspiring daycare managers and directors. This credential concentrates more on the management of the organization as well as the administration, site maintenance, and planning and development of childcare programs.
Cost of the Classes
The cost of classes for childcare degrees and courses can range from $2,000 to $25,000 per year in the universities and colleges in the state of Missouri. Factors such as type of school (whether public or private, vocational or non-vocational), location of the school, and the degree you are currently enrolled affects the rate or cost of tuition fees.
Required Classes that Day Care Providers Should Take
Childcare courses or degrees are highly preferable and recommended for those individual who want to establish a career in daycare or childcare industry. In addition to the degrees, working experience and credit hours should also pass the requirement of the state.
For Daycare Directors/Providers:
The daycare or childcare director should age not less than 21 years old and shall satisfy one or any combination of the following requirements:
- The childcare or daycare director should have either finished or completed secondary education, GED certification, or any equivalent credentials.
- In addition to the general requirements in the preceding section of this article, the director of the childcare facility attending the same number of groups of pre-school and school-age children or more groups of pre-school children than groups of school-age children should have completed:
- A 60 semester-hours of credit from a recognized college or university with 18 semester-hours in courses closely related to childcare and/or child development from birth to age six.
- 2 years of working experience in child development in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center. A 30 semester-hours of college credits with 10 semesters in courses closely related to childcare and/or child development, and proof of enrolment in a recognized college or university until two years of college credit have been completed. An over-all of 18 semester hours in courses closely related to childcare and/or child development is also required to be attained within the total two years of college credits;
- Accomplishment of a credentialing program approved by the state plus completion of 12 semesters in courses closely related to childcare and/or child development from birth to age six at a recognized college or university, and two years child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten or licensed daycare center.
For Teachers:
Teachers and any school-age workers should age not less than 19 years old and should satisfy one or combination of any of the following requirements:
- Teachers and school-age workers should have either finished or completed secondary education, GED certification, or any equivalent credentials.
- In addition to the general requirements in the preceding section of this article, the teacher shall be responsible for a group of children that may compose of kids or preschoolers children; thus they should comply the following:
- A 60 semester hours of credits from a recognized college or university with 6 semester in courses closely related directly to childcare and/or child development, from birth to age six;
- A year of child development experience in a daycare center or any facility and 30 semester hours of credits from a recognized college or university with 6 semesters in courses closely related to child care and/or child development, from birth to age six; or
- Accomplishment of credentialing programs approved by the state’s Department.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
There are several departments in the state of Mississippi that handles childcare and family welfare. You can contact them for more information and inquiries regarding the licensing procedures, fees, classes required and the like. You can reach the following departments:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Mailing:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Section for Child Care Regulation
323 Veteran’s Lane
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 751-2450
Fax: (573) 526-5345
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
Center for Family Policy and Research
University of Missouri
Rock Quarry Center, 1400 Rock Quarry Road
Columbia, MO, 65211-3280
Phone: (573) 884-0650
Fax: (573) 884-0598
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
1000 Executive Parkway Drive, Suite 103
St. Louis, MO 63141
Phone: 314-535-1458
Toll Free: 800-200-9017
Fax: (314) 754-0330
