Licensing Standards for Mississippi Daycares: Are You in Compliance?

Opening a daycare is an exciting business opportunity. Whether you are opening a commercial facility or operating out of your home, it is important that you follow the state’s licensing guidelines. Being state licensed will help you secure more clients, but also help you create a daycare facility that is safe for the children in your care. Also, when you insure your daycare, a Mississippi insurance agency will verify your licensing.

What are the Licensing Requirements?

In order to be state licensed, you must:

• Meet Caregiver Requirements – As the caregiver, you must be at least 18 years or older, have a high school diploma (or GED), a CDA credential or have three years prior experience caring for children under the age of 13.
• Meet Provider and Child Ratios – The state has specific provider/child ratios for center-based, large family and small family daycares. If you are caring for children in a center-based facility, the ratios will range from 1:5 to 1:20 depending on the age of children. The younger the children, the more caregivers must be present per child. For large family care, the ratios range from 5:1 to 25:1, while small family care ranges from 4:1 to 25:1.
• Maximum Capacity – The state is clear about how many children you can care for at once. For center-based care, the maximum is as high as 25, but that is only if you have a large majority of older children. Large family care centers are allowed 13 or more children, while small family care facilities are only allowed a total of 6 to 12 children.
• Safety – In addition to meeting ratios and caregiver qualifications, you are also required to provide a safe care environment. That includes child-proofing the facility or your home, having specific protocols for sick children, requiring vaccinations and having proof of those vaccinations, as well as reporting communicable diseases to the health department.
• Programs and Activities – Depending on the type of facility you are establishing, you will also have to include specific programs and/or activities, such as daily routines, eating periods, designated rest and nap times, outdoor activity time, activities specific to infant and toddler development, etc.

Speak With a Mississippi Insurance Agency Regarding Your Daycare Facility

Having proper coverage for your facility is critical. You can protect your facility’s grounds, vehicles associated with your daycare, and even provide workers’ compensation for caregivers. If you are opening a daycare facility in Mississippi, speak with a broker at The Nowell Agency, Inc. today. As a leading Mississippi insurance agency, we can assess the unique needs of your daycare business to ensure you have the right level of coverage.

Learn more about daycare insurance by contacting The Nowell Agency, Inc. at 601-992-4444. You can also request a quote online.