Mississippi Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Mississippi (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Mississippi means applying to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities), clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in Mississippi's licensing statutes.

Mississippi Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your Mississippi launch budget and timeline.

Application fee
The initial license application fee is $130.00, and it is the same for a child care facility for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home as for a child care center (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Annual renewal fee
The license renewal fee for a center is paid annually and is tiered by licensed capacity: $97.50 for a maximum capacity of 12 or fewer, $195.00 for 13-30, $260.00 for 31-50, $390.00 for 51-100, $455.00 for 101-150, and $520.00 for 151 or more (home-based facilities pay the flat $97.50 tier); licenses are renewed annually (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(3) and Rule 1.2.7; home Rule 2.2.4(3) and Rule 2.2.8, Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Pre-service training
Before a new license is issued, owners, directors, and director designees must each complete mandatory training covering Child Care Regulations, Director Orientation, and Playground Safety (no fixed total clock-hour count is specified); separately, students in a field-study/practicum placement must have documentation of a minimum of one hour of orientation within one week of placement covering child-abuse reporting, emergency, discipline, and transportation policies (MSDH home Rule 2.5.8(1) and Rule 2.5.6(2)(f); center Rule 1.5.8(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Annual training
All child care staff, directors, director designees, and caregivers must complete 15 contact hours of staff development accrued during each licensure year, of which no more than five contact hours may be in-service training provided by the facility itself, and hours must be approved by the licensing agency (MSDH center Rule 1.5.8(2)-(4); home Rule 2.5.8(2)-(4), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
License-exempt threshold
In Mississippi a license is required once a place provides shelter and personal care for "six or more children who are not related within the third degree computed according to the civil law to the operator and who are under 13 years of age," so caring for five or fewer unrelated children is license-exempt (MSDH Regulations Governing Licensure of Child Care Facilities, Subpart 55, Chapter 1, Rule 1.1.4 Definitions; Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-5(a)).
Family child care capacity
Mississippi licenses home-based care under "Child Care Facilities for 12 or Fewer Children in the Operator's Home," capping such homes at 12 children; there is no separate small/large home tier, and capacity is governed by the caregiver staff-to-child ratio (1 caregiver per 4 children under 1 year, 8 one-year-olds, 12 two-year-olds, 14 three-year-olds, 16 four-year-olds, 20 children 5-9 years, and 25 children 10-12 years) combined with square-footage limits (MSDH Regulations Governing Licensure of Child Care Facilities for 12 or Fewer Children in the Operator's Home, Rule 2.8.2 Ratio; Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Indoor square footage
Indoor space must be a minimum of 35 square feet of usable space per child (with higher minimums for infant/toddler rooms: 40 sq ft where infants both play and sleep, 45 sq ft where toddlers both play and sleep, and 25 sq ft for sleep-only rooms), and the outdoor playground area must provide a minimum of 75 square feet for each child using it at one time, accommodating at least 33 percent of licensed capacity (MSDH center Rule 1.11.2 Indoor Square Footage and Rule 1.11.9 Outdoor Playground Area, Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Inspection schedule
An agency representative inspects each child care facility prior to issuing or renewing a license to assure compliance — Rule 1.2.5; licenses may be renewed annually (not to exceed one year) — Rule 1.2.7. A facility is also subject to inspection at any time at the discretion of the licensing agency — Rule 1.1.2(4). MSDH maintains a complaint hotline and investigates each complaint received — Rule 1.1.2(5). Inspection findings are recorded on an official inspection form and furnished to the operator/director at the time the inspection is made — Rule 1.2.6.

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Mississippi

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in Mississippi's childcare licensing rules.

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in Mississippi. In Mississippi a license is required once a place provides shelter and personal care for "six or more children who are not related within the third degree computed according to the civil law to the operator and who are under 13 years of age," so caring for five or fewer unrelated children is license-exempt (MSDH Regulations Governing Licensure of Child Care Facilities, Subpart 55, Chapter 1, Rule 1.1.4 Definitions; Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-5(a)).

    Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.

  2. Complete pre-service training & CPR

    Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. Before a new license is issued, owners, directors, and director designees must each complete mandatory training covering Child Care Regulations, Director Orientation, and Playground Safety (no fixed total clock-hour count is specified); separately, students in a field-study/practicum placement must have documentation of a minimum of one hour of orientation within one week of placement covering child-abuse reporting, emergency, discipline, and transportation policies (MSDH home Rule 2.5.8(1) and Rule 2.5.6(2)(f); center Rule 1.5.8(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).

    Plan for ongoing training too: All child care staff, directors, director designees, and caregivers must complete 15 contact hours of staff development accrued during each licensure year, of which no more than five contact hours may be in-service training provided by the facility itself, and hours must be approved by the licensing agency (MSDH center Rule 1.5.8(2)-(4); home Rule 2.5.8(2)-(4), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).

  3. Pass background checks

    Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.

    Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.

  4. Prepare your facility

    Set up a space that meets Mississippi's facility standards. Indoor space must be a minimum of 35 square feet of usable space per child (with higher minimums for infant/toddler rooms: 40 sq ft where infants both play and sleep, 45 sq ft where toddlers both play and sleep, and 25 sq ft for sleep-only rooms), and the outdoor playground area must provide a minimum of 75 square feet for each child using it at one time, accommodating at least 33 percent of licensed capacity (MSDH center Rule 1.11.2 Indoor Square Footage and Rule 1.11.9 Outdoor Playground Area, Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: Mississippi licenses home-based care under "Child Care Facilities for 12 or Fewer Children in the Operator's Home," capping such homes at 12 children; there is no separate small/large home tier, and capacity is governed by the caregiver staff-to-child ratio (1 caregiver per 4 children under 1 year, 8 one-year-olds, 12 two-year-olds, 14 three-year-olds, 16 four-year-olds, 20 children 5-9 years, and 25 children 10-12 years) combined with square-footage limits (MSDH Regulations Governing Licensure of Child Care Facilities for 12 or Fewer Children in the Operator's Home, Rule 2.8.2 Ratio; Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities) and pay the licensing fee. The initial license application fee is $130.00, and it is the same for a child care facility for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home as for a child care center (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).

    Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.

  6. Pass the licensing inspection

    Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. An agency representative inspects each child care facility prior to issuing or renewing a license to assure compliance — Rule 1.2.5; licenses may be renewed annually (not to exceed one year) — Rule 1.2.7. A facility is also subject to inspection at any time at the discretion of the licensing agency — Rule 1.1.2(4). MSDH maintains a complaint hotline and investigates each complaint received — Rule 1.1.2(5). Inspection findings are recorded on an official inspection form and furnished to the operator/director at the time the inspection is made — Rule 1.2.6.

    The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.

  7. Open your doors

    Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Mississippi rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Less than 1 year (infants, birth through 12 months) 1:5 (max group size 10, min 2 caregivers, 40 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 1 year (toddlers, 12 months to under 24 months) 1:9 (max group size 18, min 2 caregivers, 45 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 2 years 1:12 (max group size 24, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 3 years 1:14 (max group size 28, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 4 years 1:16 (max group size 32, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 5 through 9 years 1:20 (max group size 40, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 10 through 12 years 1:25 (max group size 50, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, Transport vehicle 10,000+ lbs GVWR (e.g., school bus) 1:25 (driver not counted as caregiver, except in dually-licensed facilities when the vehicle carries only school-age children); Rule 1.15.4(2). On vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVWR the classroom ratio applies and the driver is not counted — Rule 1.15.4(1)

    Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.

  8. Enroll families

    Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, Mississippi-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.

    Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in Mississippi

Mississippi licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

  • MSDH Form #121 — Certificate of Immunization Compliance (required for each enrolled child before enrollment, and for staff and volunteers; child/staff authority at Rule 1.6.3(10); volunteer Form 121 at Rule 1.5.2(6))
  • MSDH Form #122 — Certificate of Medical/Religious Exemption (immunization exemption for children; religious-exemption portion does not apply to staff; Rule 1.6.3(10))
  • MSDH Form #333 — Fire Department Certificate of Inspection (submitted with application and license fees; Rule 1.2.4 Certificate of Inspection by Fire Department)
  • Online Application for License (filed via www.healthyms.com; Rule 1.2.3, with fees under Rule 1.2.4)
  • Online License Renewal form (Rule 1.2.7)
  • Letter of Suitability — issued by the MSDH Criminal Records Check Unit after a fingerprint-based comprehensive background check; required before any prospective staff member may begin work, and for volunteers serving 120+ hours/licensure year (Rule 1.5.2)

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Mississippi requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities): Less than 1 year (infants, birth through 12 months) 1:5 (max group size 10, min 2 caregivers, 40 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 1 year (toddlers, 12 months to under 24 months) 1:9 (max group size 18, min 2 caregivers, 45 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 2 years 1:12 (max group size 24, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 3 years 1:14 (max group size 28, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 4 years 1:16 (max group size 32, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 5 through 9 years 1:20 (max group size 40, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, 10 through 12 years 1:25 (max group size 50, min 2 caregivers, 35 sq ft/child); Rule 1.8.2 / Rule 1.8.3, Transport vehicle 10,000+ lbs GVWR (e.g., school bus) 1:25 (driver not counted as caregiver, except in dually-licensed facilities when the vehicle carries only school-age children); Rule 1.15.4(2). On vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVWR the classroom ratio applies and the driver is not counted — Rule 1.15.4(1).

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

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The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all Mississippi-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

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Starting a Daycare in Mississippi: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Mississippi?
In Mississippi a license is required once a place provides shelter and personal care for "six or more children who are not related within the third degree computed according to the civil law to the operator and who are under 13 years of age," so caring for five or fewer unrelated children is license-exempt (MSDH Regulations Governing Licensure of Child Care Facilities, Subpart 55, Chapter 1, Rule 1.1.4 Definitions; Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-5(a)).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Mississippi?
The initial license application fee is $130.00, and it is the same for a child care facility for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home as for a child care center (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8). Renewal: The license renewal fee for a center is paid annually and is tiered by licensed capacity: $97.50 for a maximum capacity of 12 or fewer, $195.00 for 13-30, $260.00 for 31-50, $390.00 for 51-100, $455.00 for 101-150, and $520.00 for 151 or more (home-based facilities pay the flat $97.50 tier); licenses are renewed annually (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(3) and Rule 1.2.7; home Rule 2.2.4(3) and Rule 2.2.8, Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Who issues daycare licenses in Mississippi?
Childcare licensing in Mississippi is handled by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities). You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in Mississippi?
Before a new license is issued, owners, directors, and director designees must each complete mandatory training covering Child Care Regulations, Director Orientation, and Playground Safety (no fixed total clock-hour count is specified); separately, students in a field-study/practicum placement must have documentation of a minimum of one hour of orientation within one week of placement covering child-abuse reporting, emergency, discipline, and transportation policies (MSDH home Rule 2.5.8(1) and Rule 2.5.6(2)(f); center Rule 1.5.8(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).

Keep researching Mississippi

Mississippi Licensing Requirements

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How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

The cross-state playbook, from choosing a program type to opening day.

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License-Exemption Thresholds by State

Compare when a license is required across all 50 states.

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Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

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Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Mississippi statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities) before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.