Georgia Childcare Licensing Requirements: A Complete Guide

Overview: who regulates childcare in Georgia?

In Georgia, childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), operating under the Bright from the Start brand. DECAL is responsible for setting rules and regulations, processing license applications, conducting inspections, and enforcing compliance for all regulated childcare programs in the state.

Georgia requires licensing for childcare operations that serve children for more than four hours per day. The type of license you need depends on your setting and how many children you serve:

• Child Care Learning Center (CCLC): A facility that is not a residence and provides care for seven or more children. This is the most common license type for commercial childcare businesses, preschools, and after-school programs in Georgia.

• Family Child Care Learning Home (FCCLH): A private residence where the operator lives and provides care for three to six children. The operator's own children under age 13 are counted toward the capacity. This license has specific requirements for the home environment.

• Group Day Care Home (GDCH): A private residence where the operator lives and provides care for seven to eighteen children. At least one full-time assistant is required in addition to the operator. The operator's own children under age 13 are counted toward capacity.

How to apply for a Georgia childcare license

The Georgia childcare licensing application process involves several steps and is managed through DECAL. Plan for the process to take several weeks to several months, depending on how quickly you meet all requirements.

1. 1

   Attend a DECAL pre-licensing workshop

   Georgia requires prospective childcare operators to attend a pre-licensing orientation workshop conducted by DECAL. This workshop covers the rules and regulations, the application process, and the responsibilities of operating a licensed childcare program. Workshops are offered through local DECAL offices.

2. 2

   Submit your application and required documents

   After completing the workshop, submit your completed application to DECAL along with required documentation. This typically includes proof of identity, a floor plan of the facility, fire inspection approval, zoning compliance verification, and a health and safety inspection from your local health department. An application fee is required.

3. 3

   Complete background checks for all staff and household members

   DECAL requires comprehensive background checks (including fingerprinting) for all owners, directors, employees, and volunteers. For home-based operations, all household members age 17 and older must also be checked. Background checks must clear before a license is issued.

4. 4

   Pass the DECAL on-site inspection

   A DECAL licensing consultant will conduct an on-site inspection of your facility to verify it meets all rules and regulations for space, safety, equipment, sanitation, and record-keeping. Any deficiencies must be corrected before your license is granted.

5. 5

   Receive your license

   Once all requirements are met and your facility passes inspection, DECAL will issue your childcare license. The license must be displayed in a prominent location visible to parents. Georgia childcare licenses are issued for a specific capacity and must be renewed annually.

Georgia staff-to-child ratio requirements

Georgia sets specific staff-to-child ratios based on the ages of children in care. These ratios are defined in DECAL's Rules and Regulations for Child Care Learning Centers (Chapter 591-1-1) and must be maintained at all times, including during outdoor play, field trips, and transitions.

Note: Georgia uses a walking-based developmental milestone, not a strict age cutoff, for the infant-to-toddler transition. Children under 18 months who are not yet walking independently are classified as infants regardless of their exact age.

These ratios are from DECAL's Rules and Regulations for Child Care Learning Centers. Ratios for Family Child Care Learning Homes and Group Day Care Homes differ. Always verify current ratios with DECAL, as they may be updated. For help planning your classroom staffing, try our ratio calculator.

Staff qualification and training requirements

Georgia has specific requirements for directors, lead teachers, and all staff working in licensed childcare programs.

• Director qualifications: Directors of Child Care Learning Centers must be at least 21 years old and meet education and experience requirements set by DECAL. Requirements generally include a combination of post-secondary education in early childhood education or a related field and supervised childcare experience. Specific credential levels are outlined in DECAL's rules.

• Lead teacher qualifications: Lead teachers must be at least 18 years old and meet DECAL's education and experience requirements, which typically include a high school diploma or GED plus documented training or coursework in early childhood education.

• Assistant teacher minimum age: Assistant teachers and aides must be at least 16 years old in Georgia. Those under 18 cannot be left unsupervised with children.

• CPR and First Aid: At least one staff member with current pediatric CPR and First Aid certification must be present at all times when children are in care. DECAL recommends that all staff be certified.

• Pre-service training: New employees must complete orientation training before being left alone with children. This includes training on DECAL's rules and regulations, recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect, emergency procedures, and the program's own policies.

• Annual training hours: All childcare staff are required to complete a minimum of 10 clock hours of continuing education annually. Directors must complete additional hours. Training must cover topics specified by DECAL, including child development, health and safety, and nutrition. Training can be completed through DECAL-approved providers or through Georgia's online training system (GeorgiaPDS).

Background check requirements

Georgia requires comprehensive background checks for all individuals who work in or have access to children in licensed childcare programs. DECAL manages the background check process through its Comprehensive Background Check (CBC) system.

• Who must be checked: All directors, employees, substitutes, and volunteers who have unsupervised access to children must complete a background check. For home-based operations (FCCLH and GDCH), all household members age 17 and older must also be checked.

• GCIC criminal records check: A Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) criminal records check is required. This screens for criminal history within the state of Georgia.

• FBI fingerprint check: A fingerprint-based FBI criminal history check is required for all covered individuals. Fingerprints are submitted through a DECAL-approved vendor.

• DECAL records check: DECAL maintains its own records of individuals who have been found to have substantiated findings of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation. This check screens against DECAL's internal records.

• Sex offender registry: A check of the Georgia Sex Offender Registry and the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) is included in the background screening process.

• Timing and renewal: Background checks must be completed and cleared before any individual has unsupervised access to children. Background checks must be renewed every five years for all covered individuals.

Physical space and environment requirements

Your facility must meet DECAL's rules for physical space, safety, and environment before a license is issued. Key requirements for Child Care Learning Centers include:

• Indoor space: A minimum of 35 square feet of usable indoor floor space per child. This excludes kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, offices, and storage areas.

• Outdoor space: A minimum of 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child using the area at any one time. Outdoor areas must be safely enclosed with a fence at least four feet high and free of hazards.

• Age-appropriate equipment: All furniture, cribs, cots, and play equipment must be safe, in good repair, and appropriate for the ages of children served. Cribs must meet current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards.

• Fire safety: Facilities must have a current fire safety inspection from the local fire marshal or state fire marshal's office. Working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and posted evacuation plans are required. Monthly fire drills must be conducted and documented.

• Health department inspection: A satisfactory inspection from the local county health department is required before a license can be issued. This covers sanitation, kitchen and food preparation areas, restrooms, diaper changing stations, and general cleanliness.

• Zoning compliance: The facility must comply with local zoning ordinances. A letter of zoning compliance from the local planning or zoning authority is typically required as part of the licensing application.

Health and safety requirements

DECAL's rules include detailed health and safety requirements that licensed programs must follow every day.

• Immunization records: Georgia requires up-to-date immunization records (Form 3231) for all enrolled children. Records must be on file within 30 days of enrollment and available for inspection at all times.

• Medication administration: Medications may only be administered with written parent authorization. All medication must be in its original container with the child's name, and administration must be documented with the medication name, dosage, time, and the staff member who administered it.

• Illness exclusion: Programs must have a written illness exclusion and readmission policy. Children who show signs of contagious illness must be separated from other children and parents must be notified for pickup.

• Handwashing: Proper handwashing procedures must be followed by staff and children before and after meals, after diaper changes, after using the restroom, and after outdoor play. Handwashing sinks must be accessible to children.

• Safe sleep practices: Georgia requires adherence to safe sleep guidelines for infants. Infants must be placed on their backs to sleep in approved cribs with firm, flat mattresses. No blankets, pillows, bumper pads, stuffed animals, or positioning devices are allowed in the crib.

• Emergency preparedness: Written emergency procedures must be posted and practiced regularly. Programs must have plans for fire, severe weather, lockdown, and other emergencies. Emergency contact information for each child must be readily accessible.

Quality Rated: Georgia's QRIS program

Quality Rated is Georgia's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), administered by DECAL. It is a voluntary program that evaluates, improves, and communicates the level of quality in early care and education programs. While not required for licensing, participation offers significant benefits.

• Star ratings: Quality Rated uses a one-star to three-star rating system. One star indicates the program meets quality standards above licensing minimums. Two stars indicate a higher level of quality. Three stars represent the highest quality level in the system.

• Assessment areas: Programs are assessed across multiple domains, including family engagement, qualifications and training of staff, learning environment, child-staff interactions, and program administration.

• Classroom assessments: Quality Rated uses nationally recognized classroom assessment tools such as the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) to objectively evaluate learning environments and teacher-child interactions.

• Benefits of participation: Quality Rated programs may receive professional development resources, quality improvement grants, increased visibility to families searching for quality care, and in some cases, higher subsidy reimbursement rates through Georgia's Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program.

DECAL inspections and compliance

Once licensed, your program will be subject to ongoing monitoring by DECAL's licensing consultants.

• Unannounced inspections: DECAL conducts unannounced monitoring visits to licensed childcare programs during operating hours. Inspections may cover any aspect of your operation, including ratios, safety, documentation, and program practices.

• Inspection frequency: DECAL typically inspects licensed programs at least once per year, though inspections may be more frequent for programs with a history of violations or in response to complaints.

• Public inspection results: Inspection results and compliance history are available to the public through DECAL's online database. Parents can look up any licensed program's inspection history, violations, and complaint investigations.

• Corrective action plans: If violations are found during an inspection, the program may be required to submit a corrective action plan. The timeframe for correction depends on the severity of the violation.

• Enforcement actions: Repeated or serious violations can result in enforcement actions, including fines, probation, license suspension, or license revocation. Violations that pose an immediate threat to the health or safety of children may result in emergency license suspension.

Record-keeping requirements

Georgia licensing requires childcare programs to maintain detailed records that are available for review during inspections.

• Attendance records: Daily sign-in and sign-out records for every child, with the time and the signature of the person dropping off or picking up. These records must be maintained and available for DECAL review.

• Enrollment records: Complete enrollment information for each child, including emergency contacts, authorized pickup persons, medical information, allergies, immunization records, and parent contact information.

• Staff records: Personnel files for every employee, including background check documentation, training records, certifications, and health screening results.

• Incident reports: Written documentation of any injuries, accidents, or unusual incidents, including what happened, what actions were taken, and when parents were notified.

Resources

Here are key resources for Georgia childcare providers:

• DECAL (Bright from the Start): The official state agency website for childcare licensing in Georgia (decal.ga.gov). Includes application forms, rules and regulations, inspection lookup, and provider resources.

• Quality Rated: Georgia's Quality Rating and Improvement System program (qualityrated.decal.ga.gov). Information on how to participate, quality improvement resources, and the family-facing provider search tool.

• Georgia Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R): Georgia's network of CCR&R agencies provides training, technical assistance, and support to childcare providers. DECAL contracts with organizations across the state to deliver these services at the local level.

• GeorgiaPDS (Professional Development System): Georgia's online system for tracking professional development and training hours for early childhood educators. Staff can use this system to find approved training opportunities and maintain their training records.