How to Start a Daycare in Georgia (2026)

By StartBusinessByState·Publisher: Robert Smith·Research process

Last updated: November 4, 2026

A Georgia daycare that falls within state licensing requirements needs approval from the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). Family homes and centers have different application, staffing and premises rules; some programs qualify for statutory exemptions. Plan the appropriate orientation, background determinations, training and inspections before opening. Use DECAL’s starting-a-program instructions.

This guide explains the main state requirements and local checks for a Georgia family child care home or child care learning center. Your ages served, building, capacity and activities determine the final approvals.

Daycare Requirements in Georgia at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Child Care Learning Center license (generally 7+ children)	GA Dept. of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)	$50–$250 annual fee by capacity	Minimum 60 days after application screening/receipt confirmation
Family Child Care Learning Home license (generally 3–6 unrelated children)	DECAL	$50 annual fee	Minimum 45 days after application screening/receipt confirmation
LLC Formation (Articles of Organization)	GA Secretary of State	$110 (online)	Standard review times vary
Federal EIN, when required	IRS	Free	Form a new entity first; online eligibility varies
Comprehensive background determination	DECAL / designated fingerprinting provider	DECAL currently funds child care employee fingerprinting, subject to funding	Electronic determination and applicable supervision restrictions
Program-specific licensing orientation	DECAL / GaPDS	Check the current session listing	Center orientation certificate within 24 months of application
Provider/director qualifications and training	DECAL-approved sources	Provider-set prices	Home: 20-hour pre-service; new center: 40-hour director course; other training also applies
Pediatric CPR and first aid	Accepted trainer	Provider-set price	Direct-care staff within 45 days; qualified coverage always present
Child care liability coverage	Licensed insurer	Operation-specific quote	Policy terms and no-coverage disclosure obligations need review
Fire-safety approval	Applicable fire authority	Issuing-office fees	Obtain required inspection/occupancy documents
Zoning approval	Responsible local office	Issuing-office fees	Follow the program checklist and document-age requirements
Local occupation-tax / business approvals	City or county	Jurisdiction-specific	Verify the location and proposed use before committing
Workers’ compensation	Insurer	Payroll/classification quote	Generally 3 regular workers; owners may count

Georgia LLC formation totals $110 online or on paper: a $100 filing fee plus $10 service charge. Annual registration is a separate $60. These are entity charges; professional licenses, optional filing services and expedited review are separate. See the current Secretary of State fee schedule.

How to Start a Daycare in Georgia (Step by Step)

Step 1: Choose Your Daycare Type

Georgia’s DECAL recognizes two main categories of licensed child care operations:

• Family Child Care Learning Home: a private-residence program generally caring for three to six unrelated children for pay. The home rule specifically defines ages, relatives, resident parents and limits on paid and unpaid children; a narrow approved extra-child allowance applies to designated periods. Its annual license fee is $50. Use Rule 290-2-3 to count your actual enrollment.
• Child Care Learning Center: a program generally receiving seven or more children for group care for pay, fewer than 24 hours daily, subject to licensing and exemption rules. Annual fees are $50 for capacity up to 25, $100 for 26–50, $150 for 51–100, $200 for 101–200 and $250 above 200. See DECAL’s capacity-based schedule.

Choose the model from the actual premises, enrollment and staffing plan. A home’s smaller capacity does not remove zoning, safety or staffing requirements, and a center’s larger capacity does not guarantee revenue.

Caring for fewer than three unrelated children for pay generally falls below the family-home licensing definition. Do not treat that as an exemption from every local rule or CAPS condition; confirm your program’s classification with DECAL.

Step 2: Choose and Register Your Business Structure

File your Articles of Organization online through the Georgia Secretary of State’s Corporations Division. Total cost: $110 when filed online. Standard review times vary; expedited service costs extra.

If choosing an LLC, use a distinguishable name with an allowed LLC designation. Maintain an eligible Georgia registered agent and registered office. An individual agent must be a Georgia resident, and the agent’s business office must match the registered office. Having a Georgia mailing address alone is not enough. See SOS agent eligibility.

If using a trade name different from the legal business name, file with the county Clerk of Superior Court and publish the notice once weekly for two consecutive weeks in the designated legal newspaper. County and newspaper fees vary. See Georgia’s DBA instructions. For a Georgia LLC, the first annual registration is due January 1–April 1 of the year after formation, then annually in that window. The current ordinary total is $60, including the service charge; the late penalty is $25. Missing the filing can lead to administrative dissolution. See SOS annual-registration guidance.

Step 3: Get Your Federal EIN

An EIN is free from IRS.gov. Employers and certain entities need one; not every sole proprietor does. Form a new entity before applying, use the IRS’s eligibility rules, and check separate bank-document requirements.

Step 4: Complete the DECAL Licensing Orientation

Complete the licensing orientation for your program type: the CCLC process for centers or the FCCLH process for family homes. The center checklist and home checklist describe the required certificates.

• Cost and booking: check the current GaPDS/DECAL session listing; additional courses can have separate charges.
• Center orientation certificate: submit one dated within the last 24 months. Follow the separate FCCLH orientation and pre-service requirements for a home.
• Required before: Submitting your KOALA application

Keep the applicable orientation evidence current when submitting the application. Center and family-home applicants should use their own checklist rather than substitute one program’s certificate for the other.

Step 5: Complete Background Checks

DECAL requires the applicable comprehensive background determination for directors/providers and covered employees, residents, volunteers and other personnel. Use DECAL’s current background-check instructions and the program-specific definitions.

• Who is screened: the rules include compensated/direct-care or unsupervised-access workers, residents age 17 or older and specified contractors/students. Volunteer status alone does not describe every screening obligation; apply the exact role definitions.
• Fingerprinting: follow the current DECAL livescan registration instructions and approved provider locations.
• Checks include fingerprint-based criminal records, sex-offender and child-abuse/neglect registries, including required prior-state checks for the preceding five years.
• Cost: DECAL currently pays child care employee fingerprinting costs while funding remains available. Confirm eligibility and instructions before paying a vendor.
• New determination: generally every five years; a new location after the first year or a six-month employment lapse can trigger a new check sooner. Eligible letters less than a year old may be ported electronically.
• Disqualifying offenses: Certain criminal convictions permanently disqualify individuals from working in child care

Employers must receive the determination in DECAL KOALA; paper clearance letters are not accepted. A person awaiting out-of-state records may work only under the conditions and direct, continuous supervision authorized by the provisional national determination. Do not assume that submitting fingerprints permits ordinary or unsupervised work.

Step 6: Complete Required Training

Director Training Requirements

Center directors and family-home providers have different qualifications. Review the applicable credential, experience, orientation and background requirements before hiring or applying.

• Center director: generally at least 21, with an approved credential/degree and the experience attached to that route. Many CDA/TCC/diploma/associate routes require six months of qualifying experience; other-degree and early-childhood degree routes differ. Use the full Rule 591-1-1-.31 credential list.
• Family-home pre-service: new FCCLH providers need an eligible credential and 20 hours of pre-service training, including the required orientation, before applying and licensure. This is not an extra 20-hour director course for every center.
• New center director: the CCLC applicant instructions require a DECAL-approved 40-hour director course before licensure. This is distinct from family-home pre-service training.
• Health and safety: direct-care staff generally need at least ten approved hours within their first 90 days; program orientation is required before starting work. Follow the provider/director timing in DECAL’s training guidance.
• Training cost: obtain prices for the accepted courses required for your role and program type.

CPR / First Aid Certification

Current pediatric CPR and first-aid evidence is required for providers/directors and employees or provisional employees with direct-care duties. Centers must always have a qualified person in each child-care area; homes need a qualified person present whenever a child is present. Trips and transportation also require qualified coverage.

• Price: training-provider quote; confirm that the course and trainer meet DECAL requirements.
• Direct-care staff deadline: within 45 days of employment. This does not remove the requirement for qualified coverage from the start of operations.
• Must be pediatric-specific – adult-only certifications do not qualify
• Renew before the credential expires under the certifier’s terms. CPR and first aid do not count toward DECAL’s ten-hour annual training requirement.

Annual Continuing Education

After the first-year requirements, applicable staff must complete at least ten approved training hours in each annual training period. Include at least two hours of evidence-based language/literacy practices and at least two hours in child development/health/safety topics; no more than two hours may be business-related. CPR/first aid is additional. Use DECAL’s timing examples for new hires.

Step 7: Obtain Zoning Approval

Before submitting your KOALA application, you must obtain written zoning approval from your local county or city zoning department confirming your location is approved for child care use.

• Document age: the family-home checklist explicitly requires zoning approval dated within the last 12 months. Use the current center checklist for a CCLC and obtain confirmation before reusing earlier approvals.
• Home-based operators: Check your county’s home occupation ordinances – some jurisdictions have specific rules for home-based child care, including parking, signage, and traffic restrictions
• Center-based operators: Confirm commercial zoning compatibility and any conditional use permit requirements

Step 8: Prepare Your Facility

Georgia has specific space and safety requirements for child care facilities. Ensure your location meets these standards before applying for your DECAL license:

Space Requirements

• Indoor area: generally 35 square feet of usable space per child; exclude non-usable areas. A narrowly approved center exception allows 25 square feet for specified one-hour periods for children three or older. Do not apply that exception without DECAL approval.
• Outdoor play area: meet the program-specific space, enclosure, equipment and supervision rules. Have DECAL review any proposed alternative or exception.
• Floor plan: submit the completed layout and capacity information required by the current application checklist.

Safety and Equipment

• Age-appropriate furniture and equipment
• Outdoor play: use the required protective fence or DECAL-approved barrier and resilient surfacing in applicable equipment fall zones. Follow the separate pool-enclosure requirements if relevant.
• Working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
• Childproofing (outlet covers, cabinet locks, safety gates as needed)
• Safe sleep environments for infants (if serving children under 1)
• Secure storage for cleaning supplies, medications, and hazardous materials
• Separate diapering and food preparation areas

Step 9: Submit Your KOALA Application and Supporting Documents

Use DECAL KOALA and the current checklist for your program type. The following groups organize documents to prepare; they are not a claim that every current application is labeled “Part A” and “Part B.”

Location and Applicant Documents

• Floor plan of the facility
• Zoning approval and applicable occupancy, ownership/lease and premises documents; observe the program-specific document-age requirements.
• Program-specific orientation certificate; the CCLC checklist requires one within 24 months.
• Basic owner and facility information

Staffing, Safety and Operating Documents

• Required background determinations in KOALA and acknowledgment documents; do not rely on paper clearance letters.
• Training certificates and director qualifications
• Insurance information applicable to your operations, including vehicle coverage if transporting children. If lacking sufficient liability coverage, meet the required posted and written parent-notice/acknowledgment duties; liability insurance is not a universal prerequisite in this checklist.
• Fire inspection report
• Additional facility and operational documentation

DECAL lists minimum processing periods of 60 days for centers/change of location and 45 days for family homes/change of ownership. The clock begins after screening and receipt confirmation; missing documents, construction, inspections or corrections can extend the overall project. These are not guaranteed opening dates.

Step 10: Pass Inspections, Get Insurance, and Open

Inspections

Complete the inspections and premises approvals applicable to your program before opening. Centers and family homes use different checklists.

• Fire safety: the center checklist calls for fire and occupancy documentation; the home checklist lists those documents where applicable. Confirm your specific premises requirements with DECAL and the responsible authority.
• DECAL inspection: A DECAL licensing consultant will inspect your facility for compliance with all child care regulations.
• Health inspection: May be required depending on your county and whether you prepare and serve meals on site.

General Liability Insurance

• Home-based care: obtain a quote that explicitly covers the children, ages, premises and services you intend to provide.
• Center-based care: disclose capacity, staff, activities and transportation; review limits, exclusions and any separate abuse/molestation or professional coverage. Prices require an actual quote.
• Do not assume a homeowner policy covers paid child care. Ask the insurer to confirm the actual policy or endorsement, limits and exclusions in writing. If there is no sufficient liability cover, comply with the posted notice and signed parent acknowledgment requirements; retain the required records.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Georgia generally requires workers’ compensation when a business regularly employs three or more people, including part-time workers. Corporate officers and LLC members count toward that threshold even when they elect to exclude their own benefits; up to five may make that election. Sole proprietors and partners have different treatment. Confirm classification and coverage with the State Board’s guidance.

License Renewal

DECAL licenses expire December 31. For the 2027 license, the current fee notice sets payment due December 1, 2026 and late charges after December 31, 2026. Complete lawful-presence verification first; family providers also complete the KOALA disclosure statement. Continued compliance, current training and background determinations remain separate obligations. See the current annual notice.

Compare daycare insurance in Georgia before you request a quote.

Georgia Daycare Staff-to-Child Ratios

The following are standard center staffing ratios and maximum group sizes. Capacity-based mixed-age rules, rest/evening care and water activities have specific provisions. Family homes have separate capacity and assistant rules; do not use the center chart as the home rule. See Rule 591-1-1-.32 and family-home rules.

Age Group	Staff-to-Child Ratio	Maximum Group Size
Under 1 year, or under 18 months and not walking	1:6	12
Walking 1-year-olds	1:8	16
2-year-olds	1:10	20
3-year-olds	1:15	30
4-year-olds	1:18	36
5-year-olds; 6 years and older	1:20 at age 5; 1:25 at age 6+	40 at age 5; 50 at age 6+

Mixed ages: in centers licensed for 19+, the youngest age group comprising more than 20% generally sets the ratio. In centers licensed for 18 or fewer, use the youngest child if any child is under three; when all are three or older, the majority age controls. Under-three mixing has additional restrictions and arrival/departure exceptions. Read the rule before combining rooms.

Maximum group size has exceptions for centers licensed for 18 or fewer, ordinary outdoor play and specified short special activities. During scheduled daytime rest, ratios for ages three and older may double only with required staff in the center and a supervising adult in each room. Water activities use stricter ratios. Family homes need an assistant for specified infant/young-child counts, including related children under the rule.

Child Immunization Requirements

Georgia generally uses Form 3231 for age-appropriate immunization documentation. Medical and religious exemptions have specific documentation; a religious exemption uses the required affidavit. Use DPH’s child care/school guidance rather than treating every child as having identical vaccine paperwork.

The licensing rules require the applicable immunization or exemption evidence on admission or within 30 days; a center may not continue enrollment beyond that period without the required evidence. Keep current records available for inspection and follow public-health exclusion instructions.

Quality Rated: Georgia’s TQRIS Program

Georgia’s Quality Rated program is a voluntary Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS) administered by DECAL. Programs that participate receive a rating of 1, 2, or 3 stars based on the quality of their learning environment, teacher-child interactions, and program administration.

• Voluntary: Participation is not required for licensing
• CAPS: licensed providers generally need qualifying Quality Rated status, but eligible providers new to CAPS may receive provisional status while earning their first star rating. Exempt and informal providers have separate conditions.
• Marketing advantage: Quality Rated status is publicly listed and helps parents identify high-quality programs
• Technical assistance: DECAL provides free support and resources to help programs achieve and improve their star rating

If serving CAPS families, complete licensing, the applicable Quality Rated steps and CAPS enrollment. A new provider need not always wait for a final star rating, but payment is not automatic. Follow DECAL’s provider-enrollment process.

Cost to Start a Daycare in Georgia

Home-Based Family Child Care Learning Home (3-6 Children)

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation (Secretary of State)	$110	One-time, online filing
Trade name, when required	County/newspaper charges	Filing plus two weekly notices
Federal EIN	Free	Online at IRS.gov
FCCLH annual license	$50	Current calendar-year payment notice controls
Employee fingerprinting	Currently DECAL-funded if eligible	Funding-dependent; use designated process
Home-provider/staff training	Provider quotes	20-hour home pre-service plus role-specific ongoing requirements
Pediatric CPR / first aid	Provider quotes	Current qualified coverage; new-hire 45-day deadline
Local approvals	Issuing-office fees	Specific location and use
Child care liability coverage	Insurer quote	Check operations and exclusions
Facility preparation	Supplier/contractor quotes	Safety, equipment, inspections and supplies
Marketing	Chosen test budget	Include recurring costs
Use verified filing/license fees plus current premises, training, staffing, equipment and insurance quotes. Separate setup from recurring payroll, rent, food, supplies, taxes and working capital. Budget separately for a family home or a center using its actual capacity, premises and staffing needs.

Small Center-Based Child Care Learning Center (15-40 Children)

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC filing, if chosen; EIN	$110; EIN free	Separate $60 annual registration when due
Trade name, when required	County/newspaper charges	Filing plus publication
CCLC annual license	$50–$250	Capacity tiers, not one fee for every center
Eligible employee fingerprinting	Currently DECAL-funded	Subject to funding and proper procedure
Director and staff training	Provider quotes	40-hour new-center course and role-specific requirements
Pediatric CPR / first aid	Provider quotes	Enough qualified staff for every area/trip
Local approvals	Issuing-office fees	Location, use and renewal terms
Zoning approval	Issuing-office fees	Confirm before lease/build-out
Child care liability coverage	Insurer quote	Capacity, ages, activities and exclusions
Workers’ compensation	Payroll/classification quote	Generally 3 regular workers; owners may count
Premises and build-out	Written quotes	Lease, deposits, occupancy and compliance
Furniture/equipment/supplies	Supplier quotes	Age-appropriate items and replacement
Outdoor play area	Site-specific quotes	Enclosure, surfacing and approved equipment
Marketing	Chosen test budget	One-time and recurring costs
Use verified filing/license fees plus current premises, training, staffing, equipment and insurance quotes. Separate setup from recurring payroll, rent, food, supplies, taxes and working capital. Budget separately for a family home or a center using its actual capacity, premises and staffing needs.

Key Georgia Agencies for Daycare Operators

Agency	Role	Contact
DECAL	Licensing, Quality Rated, CAPS subsidies	888-442-7735
GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation)	Background check database	Via DECAL BFTS
DPH (Dept. of Public Health)	Immunization records, health inspections	Local county health department
Local Fire Marshal	Fire safety inspection	County fire department
Local Zoning Department	Zoning approval for child care use	County/city planning office

Related Georgia Business Guides

• Starting a Business in Georgia: Complete Guide

← Back to all Georgia business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need to open a daycare in Georgia?

A program within Georgia’s licensing definitions needs the appropriate DECAL license: generally FCCLH for three to six unrelated children in a private residence, or CCLC for seven or more children. Home fees are $50 annually; center fees are $50–$250 by capacity. Definitions and exemptions matter. Apply through KOALA using the program-specific checklist.

What are Georgia’s daycare staff-to-child ratios?

Standard center ratios are 1:6 for infants and nonwalking children under 18 months, 1:8 for walking one-year-olds, 1:10 at two, 1:15 at three, 1:18 at four, 1:20 at five and 1:25 at six or older. Standard group sizes are twice those child counts. Mixed-age, small-center, rest, evening and water-activity provisions have separate conditions; family-home rules differ.

Do I need a background check to run a daycare in Georgia?

Yes. Covered personnel need the appropriate DECAL background determination in KOALA, including criminal, sex-offender and child-abuse/neglect checks. New checks can be required sooner than five years after employment gaps or moves. Eligible employee fingerprinting is currently DECAL-funded, subject to continued funding. Provisional work is allowed only under the conditions in the actual determination letter.

How long does it take to get a daycare license in Georgia?

DECAL lists a minimum 60 days for center/change-of-location applications and 45 days for family-home/change-of-ownership applications, starting after screening and receipt confirmation. Training, premises work, background records, inspections and incomplete documents can extend the total timeline.

How much does it cost to start a daycare in Georgia?

Use verified filing/license fees plus current premises, training, staffing, equipment and insurance quotes. Separate setup from recurring payroll, rent, food, supplies, taxes and working capital. Budget separately for a family home or a center using its actual capacity, premises and staffing needs.

What is Quality Rated and do I need it?

Quality Rated is separate from basic licensing and awards one to three stars. CAPS participation generally requires a qualifying status for licensed providers, but eligible new providers can use provisional status while working toward a star rating. Exempt and informal providers have separate conditions. Confirm approval through the CAPS enrollment process before assuming reimbursement.

Comparing states? See our daycare guides for all 50 states.