A daycare license in South Carolina is issued by South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS), Division of Child Care Services, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 7 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS), Division of Child Care Services requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS), Division of Child Care Services. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
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See a ready-made enrollment packet →South Carolina childcare licensing is administered by the Division of Child Care Services within the Department of Social Services. Any facility serving 7 or more children must be licensed. South Carolina operates the ABC Quality rating system. H.4960 (2025) increased CCAP subsidy rates and created a new $5 million childcare infrastructure grant program.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Birth to one year | 1:5 |
| One to two years | 1:6 |
| Two to three years | 1:8 |
| Three to four years | 1:12 |
| Four to five years | 1:17 |
| Five to six years | 1:20 |
| Six to twelve years | 1:23 |
Ratios apply at all times children are present and must be posted in every classroom. Mixed-age groups follow the youngest child when infants or toddlers are present (114-504.B(2)–(3)). Nap-time ratios differ (114-504.C).
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: South Carolina SCDSS Child Care
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
A current South Carolina Certificate of Immunization on file for each child (114-503.G(6)).
Health Statement
Parent health statement on the DSS form, dated within 30 days before admission (114-505.A(1)).
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: South Carolina SCDSS Child Care
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: South Carolina SCDSS Child Care
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
Central Registry check before hire and again at each license renewal. SLED fingerprints, then FBI fingerprints, within 14 business days of hire (114-503.K(1)–(2)).
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework required. Requirements increase with ABC Quality level.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Directors complete 20 clock hours of training each year; other staff 15 clock hours, including blood-borne pathogens. CPR and first aid certification does not count toward either total (114-503.K(5)).
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by SCDSS. Higher credentials required at higher ABC Quality levels.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: South Carolina SCDSS Child Care
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact SCDSS Division of Child Care Services to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact SCDSS for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: South Carolina SCDSS Child Care
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: South Carolina SCDSS Child Care
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the South Atlantic.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
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