South Carolina Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in South Carolina (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in South Carolina means applying to the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing, clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in South Carolina's licensing statutes.

South Carolina Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your South Carolina launch budget and timeline.

Application fee
South Carolina's child care statute and licensing regulations specify no application, license, or registration fee; the only fees authorized are for background checks, which 'shall not exceed the actual cost of processing and administration' and are borne by the applicant or facility, not as a license fee (S.C. Code 63-13-40(D)(10), 63-13-420, 63-13-620, 63-13-820; SC Regulations for the Licensing of Child Care Centers, R.114-500 et seq., eff. June 22, 2018; SC DSS Brochure 501).
Annual renewal fee
No renewal fee is specified in South Carolina's child care statute or regulations; the Department initiates the center license/approval renewal process 120 days before expiration (S.C. Reg. 114-502.F, eff. June 22, 2018), a regular center license is valid for two years (S.C. Reg. 114-502.B.(1)), and a family childcare home registration expires one year from issuance (S.C. Code 63-13-830(B)), with no renewal fee stated in any of these provisions.
Pre-service training
South Carolina child care centers must give every new staff member, volunteer, and emergency person orientation (job duties, applicable regulations, and health/safety policies and procedures) before they begin working, and within six months of employment a teacher/caregiver must obtain six clock hours of training in child growth and development and early childhood education (or remain under direct supervision); no fixed pre-service clock-hour count is otherwise set, and registered family child care homes have no separately specified pre-service training-hour requirement (S.C. Reg. 114-503.K.(4) & K.(5)(a), eff. June 22, 2018).
Annual training
In South Carolina child care centers, directors must complete at least 20 clock hours of training annually and all direct-care staff at least 15 clock hours annually (first aid and CPR not counted), per S.C. Reg. 114-503.K.(5)(b)-(c), eff. June 22, 2018; registered family child care home operators, staff, and household members must complete at least 10 clock hours of training each year (SC DSS scchildcare.org Registered Family Child Care Home requirements).
License-exempt threshold
In South Carolina, childcare is regulated when it is provided on a regular basis (more than two days a week, per S.C. Code 63-13-20(24)) for periods of more than four hours but less than 24 hours a day (S.C. Code 63-13-20(2)); care provided only for children related to the caregiver, or only for the children of one unrelated family, is exempt and is not a 'family childcare home' (S.C. Code 63-13-20(13)). A residence caring for no more than six children (including the operator's own and related children) for the children of more than one unrelated family is a 'family childcare home' that must register with the Department of Social Services (S.C. Code 63-13-20(13) & 63-13-810; SC DSS Child Care Licensing Requirements Brochure 501, Jan 2024).
Family child care capacity
Contact your South Carolina licensing office to confirm.
Indoor square footage
South Carolina child care centers must provide at least 35 square feet of indoor play space per child (measured wall to wall by Department staff) and at least 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child (S.C. Reg. 114-507.A.(1) & B.(1), eff. June 22, 2018).
Inspection schedule
At least one unannounced annual inspection — DSS staff may visit and inspect a child care center once per year at any time during the hours of operation without prior notice to verify regulatory compliance (S.C. Code Regs. 114-502.C.(1)). Initial and renewal inspections require at least two working days' notice (114-502.C.(2)). A regular license/approval is valid for two years from issuance (114-502.B.(1)); the renewal process is initiated 120 days before expiration (114-502.F.(1)). Health and fire officials also inspect the facility (114-502.A.(2) and 114-502.A.(4)). Additional unannounced inspections occur upon receipt of a regulatory complaint (114-502.C.(5)).

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in South Carolina

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in South Carolina's childcare licensing rules.

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in South Carolina. In South Carolina, childcare is regulated when it is provided on a regular basis (more than two days a week, per S.C. Code 63-13-20(24)) for periods of more than four hours but less than 24 hours a day (S.C. Code 63-13-20(2)); care provided only for children related to the caregiver, or only for the children of one unrelated family, is exempt and is not a 'family childcare home' (S.C. Code 63-13-20(13)). A residence caring for no more than six children (including the operator's own and related children) for the children of more than one unrelated family is a 'family childcare home' that must register with the Department of Social Services (S.C. Code 63-13-20(13) & 63-13-810; SC DSS Child Care Licensing Requirements Brochure 501, Jan 2024).

    Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.

  2. Complete pre-service training & CPR

    Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. South Carolina child care centers must give every new staff member, volunteer, and emergency person orientation (job duties, applicable regulations, and health/safety policies and procedures) before they begin working, and within six months of employment a teacher/caregiver must obtain six clock hours of training in child growth and development and early childhood education (or remain under direct supervision); no fixed pre-service clock-hour count is otherwise set, and registered family child care homes have no separately specified pre-service training-hour requirement (S.C. Reg. 114-503.K.(4) & K.(5)(a), eff. June 22, 2018).

    Plan for ongoing training too: In South Carolina child care centers, directors must complete at least 20 clock hours of training annually and all direct-care staff at least 15 clock hours annually (first aid and CPR not counted), per S.C. Reg. 114-503.K.(5)(b)-(c), eff. June 22, 2018; registered family child care home operators, staff, and household members must complete at least 10 clock hours of training each year (SC DSS scchildcare.org Registered Family Child Care Home requirements).

  3. Pass background checks

    Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.

    Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.

  4. Prepare your facility

    Set up a space that meets South Carolina's facility standards. South Carolina child care centers must provide at least 35 square feet of indoor play space per child (measured wall to wall by Department staff) and at least 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child (S.C. Reg. 114-507.A.(1) & B.(1), eff. June 22, 2018).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: Contact your South Carolina licensing office to confirm.

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing and pay the licensing fee. South Carolina's child care statute and licensing regulations specify no application, license, or registration fee; the only fees authorized are for background checks, which 'shall not exceed the actual cost of processing and administration' and are borne by the applicant or facility, not as a license fee (S.C. Code 63-13-40(D)(10), 63-13-420, 63-13-620, 63-13-820; SC Regulations for the Licensing of Child Care Centers, R.114-500 et seq., eff. June 22, 2018; SC DSS Brochure 501).

    Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.

  6. Pass the licensing inspection

    Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. At least one unannounced annual inspection — DSS staff may visit and inspect a child care center once per year at any time during the hours of operation without prior notice to verify regulatory compliance (S.C. Code Regs. 114-502.C.(1)). Initial and renewal inspections require at least two working days' notice (114-502.C.(2)). A regular license/approval is valid for two years from issuance (114-502.B.(1)); the renewal process is initiated 120 days before expiration (114-502.F.(1)). Health and fire officials also inspect the facility (114-502.A.(2) and 114-502.A.(4)). Additional unannounced inspections occur upon receipt of a regulatory complaint (114-502.C.(5)).

    The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.

  7. Open your doors

    Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under South Carolina rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Birth to one year (infants) 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

    Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.

  8. Enroll families

    Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, South Carolina-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.

    Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in South Carolina

South Carolina licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

  • DSS Form 2902 — Application to Operate a Child Care Facility
  • DSS Form 2905 — Health/Fire Inspection Request
  • DSS Form 2964 — Child Care Facility Staff/Caregiver List (director plus at least two additional staff)
  • DSS Form 2924 — Consent to Release Information and Compliance Statement (background-check consent; operator, caregivers, household members 18+)
  • DSS Form 2901 — Staff Medical Statement
  • DSS Form 2926 — Staff Health Assessment
  • DHEC Form 2740 — South Carolina Certificate of Immunization (current certificate required in each child's health record per 114-503.G.(6)(b))

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

South Carolina requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing: Birth to one year (infants) 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.

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your South Carolina licensing kit

The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all South Carolina-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

See the Startup Bundle →

One-time purchase · South Carolina-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in South Carolina: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, childcare is regulated when it is provided on a regular basis (more than two days a week, per S.C. Code 63-13-20(24)) for periods of more than four hours but less than 24 hours a day (S.C. Code 63-13-20(2)); care provided only for children related to the caregiver, or only for the children of one unrelated family, is exempt and is not a 'family childcare home' (S.C. Code 63-13-20(13)). A residence caring for no more than six children (including the operator's own and related children) for the children of more than one unrelated family is a 'family childcare home' that must register with the Department of Social Services (S.C. Code 63-13-20(13) & 63-13-810; SC DSS Child Care Licensing Requirements Brochure 501, Jan 2024).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in South Carolina?
South Carolina's child care statute and licensing regulations specify no application, license, or registration fee; the only fees authorized are for background checks, which 'shall not exceed the actual cost of processing and administration' and are borne by the applicant or facility, not as a license fee (S.C. Code 63-13-40(D)(10), 63-13-420, 63-13-620, 63-13-820; SC Regulations for the Licensing of Child Care Centers, R.114-500 et seq., eff. June 22, 2018; SC DSS Brochure 501). Renewal: No renewal fee is specified in South Carolina's child care statute or regulations; the Department initiates the center license/approval renewal process 120 days before expiration (S.C. Reg. 114-502.F, eff. June 22, 2018), a regular center license is valid for two years (S.C. Reg. 114-502.B.(1)), and a family childcare home registration expires one year from issuance (S.C. Code 63-13-830(B)), with no renewal fee stated in any of these provisions.
Who issues daycare licenses in South Carolina?
Childcare licensing in South Carolina is handled by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing. You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in South Carolina?
South Carolina child care centers must give every new staff member, volunteer, and emergency person orientation (job duties, applicable regulations, and health/safety policies and procedures) before they begin working, and within six months of employment a teacher/caregiver must obtain six clock hours of training in child growth and development and early childhood education (or remain under direct supervision); no fixed pre-service clock-hour count is otherwise set, and registered family child care homes have no separately specified pre-service training-hour requirement (S.C. Reg. 114-503.K.(4) & K.(5)(a), eff. June 22, 2018).

Keep researching South Carolina

South Carolina Licensing Requirements

Full handbook sections, ratios, immunization rules, and penalties for South Carolina.

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How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

The cross-state playbook, from choosing a program type to opening day.

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License-Exemption Thresholds by State

Compare when a license is required across all 50 states.

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Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

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Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from South Carolina statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.