1215.010.00  LICENSE-EXEMPT PROVIDERS

License-Exempt providers are exempt from some conditions that are mandatory for licensed facilities.  This section defines the various license-exempt child care providers, and the necessary level of compliance with DHSS, DSS Health and Safety requirements, and payment agreements.

Providers must apply through DHSS or DSS in order to be granted an exemption from licensing requirements.  Not all exempt types granted by DHSS are eligible for state payment. Nursery Schools do not qualify for State payment. The DHSS and DSS license-exempt types listed in this section are eligible for state payment once all conditions are met.

1215.010.05 FOUR OR LESS UNRELATED CHILDREN

FOL license-exempt status is determined by DSS. Providers caring for four or less unrelated children must meet certain Health and Safety requirements (refer to Health and Safety Certification, 1215.025.00). Children related to the provider within the third degree are not considered when determining the number of children in care when a child care provider is not licensed with the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Section for Child Care Regulation (SCCR). Relationships within the third degree include siblings (if not residing in the same home), nephews (not great), nieces (not great), grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The Child to Provider Relation form (CD-206) must be completed to verify relationship. The CD-206 must be signed by the parent and the child care provider(s).  The CD-206 must be kept with the official case record of the household. The parent and/or child care provider will be held accountable for completing the form correctly and will be required to provide verification of relationship (birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc.) upon request.

1215.010.10 RELIGIOUS LICENSE-EXEMPT PROVIDERS

A religious provider's status is determined by the provider's level of compliance with DHSS requirements.

1. Religious License-Exempt Facility (RLE) -- Has been identified as a license-exempt facility, but no inspection has been completed.  This provider is ineligible for DSS payment.
2. Religious/Inspected/Compliant (RIC) -- Has been inspected and is determined by DHSS to be in compliance with license-exempt rules.  This provider is eligible to register with DSS for payment.
3. Religious/Inspected/Pending (RIP) -- Inspected by DHSS, but identified with issues of non-compliance.  This provider is ineligible for DSS payment.
4. Religious/Inspected/Non-Compliant (RIN) -- Facility has been inspected and determined to be non-compliant with license-exempt requirements.  This provider is ineligible for DSS payment.

Households utilizing REL, RIP or RIN providers must choose another provider or contact Child Care Aware of Missouri for assistance in finding another provider.

1215.010.015 OTHER LICENSE-EXEMPT TYPES GRANTED BY DHSS

Child care services offered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education such as Before/and After-School programs (SCH), summer camps (SUM) operated by public non-profit agencies, and private businesses (BUS) offering child care for their customers can be granted license-exempt status by DHSS.  These providers can register with DSS for payment of child care services.

These providers must certify that they meet certain health and safety requirements (refer to 1215.025.00).