Parents could gain a way to compare the quality of child care providers under legislation signed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.
The bill signed Wednesday requires the state to develop a "system of quality indicators" so people can know whether child care centers are meeting certain criteria.
The website will track whether child care providers are licensed, meet health and safety standards, use curriculum and comply with staff training requirements.
The bill also requires the state to run a hotline for parent complaints about child care providers.
The provisions take effect in October 2015.
Nixon said they are necessary for Missouri to continue to receive more than $100 million annually in federal funding to help offset child care costs for lower-income individuals.
