South Carolina Childcare Licensing Requirements: A Complete Guide

Overview: who regulates childcare in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, childcare licensing is administered by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), through its Division of Early Care and Education. DSS is responsible for setting minimum standards, processing applications, conducting inspections, and enforcing compliance for all regulated childcare operations in the state.

South Carolina requires licensing or registration for childcare providers based on the number of children served. The type of license or registration you need depends on the size and setting of your operation:

• Licensed Child Care Center: A facility that provides care for 13 or more children. Centers can be commercial, faith-based, or school-based. This is the most common license type for larger childcare operations.

• Group Child Care Home: A facility located within a residence that provides care for 7 to 12 children. Group homes must meet specific standards that account for the home-based setting while serving a larger group.

• Family Child Care Home: A facility within a residence that provides care for no more than 6 children. Family childcare homes have a separate set of registration requirements.

As of 2025, regular approval, regular license, and renewal licenses for public child care centers, group child care homes, private child care centers, and licensed family child care homes are issued on a three-year cycle instead of the previous two-year cycle.

How to apply for a South Carolina childcare license

The South Carolina childcare licensing application process involves several steps. Plan for the process to take several weeks to several months, depending on how quickly you can meet all requirements.

1. 1

   Attend a licensing orientation

   All applicants must attend an orientation session at the Child Care Licensing Regional Office for their county. This session covers the minimum standards, the application process, and the responsibilities of operating a licensed childcare facility in South Carolina.

2. 2

   Submit your application and required documentation

   Submit your licensing application to DSS along with required documents, including your facility floor plan, staffing plan, policies and procedures, and proof of liability insurance. You will also need to provide health assessments (DSS Form 2926) for the operator and all caregivers.

3. 3

   Complete background checks

   State and federal fingerprint-based background checks must be completed for the operator, all caregivers, and all household members age 15 and older (for home-based facilities). Background checks must be completed before a license can be issued.

4. 4

   Pass the initial inspection

   A DSS licensing representative will conduct an on-site inspection of your facility to verify it meets all minimum standards for space, safety, equipment, and documentation. Any deficiencies must be corrected before your license is granted.

5. 5

   Receive your license

   Once you have met all requirements and passed your inspection, DSS will issue your childcare license. The license must be posted in a visible location at your facility. Licenses are now valid for three years.

South Carolina staff-to-child ratio requirements

South Carolina sets specific staff-to-child ratios based on the ages of children in care. These ratios are defined in the South Carolina Code of Regulations (Chapter 114) and must be maintained at all times children are present, including during outdoor play and off-site activities.

South Carolina's licensing regulations for centers do not specify separate maximum group size limits. However, programs that participate in the voluntary ABC Quality program must meet stricter ratios and class size standards (see the ABC Quality section below).

These ratios are from the South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 114. Verify current ratios with DSS, as they may be updated periodically. For help planning your classroom staffing, try our ratio calculator.

Staff qualification and training requirements

South Carolina has specific requirements for directors and caregivers working in licensed childcare facilities.

• Pre-service training: All staff responsible for the care and supervision of children must complete the 15-hour South Carolina Health and Safety Pre-Service Certificate, or successfully complete the Early Child Development 101 (ECD 101) course offered at state technical colleges.

• CPR and First Aid: All caregivers must hold current Pediatric First Aid and Infant/Child CPR certification. This certification must remain current throughout employment.

• Initial training period: Within six months of being employed, a caregiver must have completed six clock hours of training in child growth and development and early childhood education. Until this training is completed, the caregiver must remain under the direct supervision of a caregiver who has at least one year of experience.

• Annual training hours: Every caregiver must participate in at least 15 hours of training each year. Training should cover areas including nutrition, physical activity, child development, and social-emotional development.

• Health assessments: All operators and caregivers must have a current health assessment on file (DSS Form 2926). This ensures that all staff working directly with children are physically able to perform their duties.

Background check requirements

South Carolina requires comprehensive background checks for all individuals who work in or have access to children in licensed, registered, or approved childcare facilities. These requirements align with the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act.

• SLED fingerprint check: A state fingerprint-based criminal history check conducted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to identify any state criminal history.

• FBI fingerprint check: A federal fingerprint-based criminal history check conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to identify any criminal history in other states.

• Central Registry check: A check of the DSS Central Registry to determine whether the individual has any substantiated history of abuse or neglect of a child.

• Sex offender registry: A search of both the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) National Sex Offender Registry and the South Carolina state sex offender registry.

• Who must be checked: Background checks are required for the operator, all caregivers, and all household members age 15 and older (for home-based facilities). Checks must be completed before employment.

• Renewal cycle: State and federal fingerprint checks must be renewed every five years for all staff.

Facility requirements

Your physical space must meet South Carolina's minimum standards before a license can be issued. Key requirements include:

• Indoor space: A minimum of 35 square feet of indoor play space per child. This measurement is taken wall to wall and includes bathrooms, reception areas, and furniture accessible to children. Kitchens, storage rooms, and storage cabinets used solely by staff are excluded from the calculation.

• Outdoor space: A minimum of 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child. Where outdoor space is insufficient at the center, the director and staff may take children outdoors in shifts or use parks and other outdoor play areas that meet safety requirements and are easily accessible.

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

• Fire safety: Working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers must be installed and maintained. Regular fire drills are required and must be documented. An evacuation plan must be posted at the facility.

• Health and sanitation: Facilities must meet health and sanitation standards covering food preparation areas, diaper changing stations, handwashing facilities, and general cleanliness. The facility must pass a health and safety inspection as part of the licensing process.

Health and safety requirements

South Carolina's licensing regulations include detailed health and safety requirements that licensed operations must follow every day.

• Immunization records: Up-to-date immunization records are required for all enrolled children. Records must be on file and available for inspection at all times.

• Medication administration: Medications may only be administered with written parent authorization. All medication administration must be documented, including the medication name, dosage, time given, and the staff member who administered it.

• Illness policies: Operations must have written illness exclusion policies and procedures for notifying parents when their child becomes ill during the day.

• Safe sleep practices: For infants, providers must follow safe sleep guidelines. Infants must be placed on their backs to sleep in approved cribs with no soft bedding, pillows, bumper pads, or toys.

• Nutrition: Children must receive healthy and well-balanced meals that meet nutritional requirements. Programs participating in the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) must follow its meal pattern guidelines.

• Emergency procedures: Written emergency procedures must be posted and practiced regularly. Staff must be trained on procedures for fire, severe weather, medical emergencies, and other crisis situations.

Record-keeping requirements

South Carolina licensing requires childcare operations to maintain detailed records that are available for review during inspections. Keeping these records organized and current is one of the most important things you can do to stay in compliance.

• Attendance records: Daily sign-in and sign-out records for every child, with the time recorded for each entry. These records must be retained and available for inspection.

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

• Staff records: Personnel files for every employee, including background check results, training documentation, CPR/First Aid certifications, health assessments, and employment history.

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

• Parent handbook: A parent handbook with program policies and procedures must be available to all families.

ABC Quality: South Carolina's quality rating system

ABC Quality is South Carolina's statewide Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). While licensing sets minimum standards for health and safety, ABC Quality is a voluntary program that recognizes childcare providers who go above and beyond those minimums.

How ABC Quality works

• Rating levels: Programs are rated across five levels, from C up to A+. An A+ rating indicates the provider is among the highest-rated in the state.

• Eligibility: Programs must have been in operation for at least six months before applying for ABC Quality enrollment.

• Code of Ethics: Staff must complete a signed adherence to the ABC Quality Code of Ethics.

• Child care scholarships: Families who qualify for SC Voucher child care assistance can use scholarships at ABC Quality-rated providers, making participation a way to attract more families to your program.

ABC Quality ratio and class size standards

ABC Quality programs must meet stricter staff-to-child ratios and maximum class sizes than the basic licensing minimums:

These ABC Quality standards are stricter than the basic licensing ratios. For example, licensing allows a 1:6 ratio for 1-to-2-year-olds, while ABC Quality requires 1:5 with a maximum class size of 10.

Inspections and ongoing compliance

Once licensed, your operation will be subject to ongoing monitoring by DSS.

• Unannounced inspections: DSS conducts unannounced inspections of licensed childcare operations during normal operating hours. Inspections can happen at any time and may cover any aspect of your operation.

• Corrective action: If deficiencies are found during an inspection, the operation is given a specified timeframe to correct the issues. The timeframe depends on the severity of the deficiency.

• Adverse actions: Repeated or serious violations can result in adverse actions, including probation, license suspension, license revocation, or monetary penalties. Violations that pose an immediate threat to children can result in emergency action.

• License renewal: Licenses must be renewed on a three-year cycle. The renewal process includes a compliance review and on-site inspection.

Resources

Here are key resources for South Carolina childcare providers:

• SC Department of Social Services - Child Care: The official state agency website for childcare licensing, including regulations, application forms, and contact information for regional licensing offices.

• SC Child Care Services (scchildcare.org): A comprehensive resource site with licensing requirements, provider tools, and information about ABC Quality enrollment.

• ABC Quality (abcquality.org): South Carolina's Quality Rating and Improvement System. Information about quality standards, enrollment, training opportunities, and child care scholarships for families.

• South Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral (SC CCR&R): Provides training, technical assistance, and support to childcare providers across the state.