South Carolina Childcare Licensing
South Carolina Childcare Required Forms & Documents (2026)
Licensed childcare centers in South Carolina must collect, complete, and retain specific forms for every enrolled child before care begins. The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing requires 7 distinct forms or documents — from enrollment agreements to emergency contacts to immunization records — to remain on file and available for inspection at all times.
Licensing Agency
South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamSouth Carolina Required Forms & Documents: The Specifics
South Carolina childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DSS Form 2902 — Application to Operate a Child Care Facility for every enrolled child (per South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing).
South Carolina childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DSS Form 2905 — Health/Fire Inspection Request for every enrolled child (per South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing).
South Carolina childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DSS Form 2964 — Child Care Facility Staff/Caregiver List (director plus at least two additional staff) for every enrolled child (per South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing).
South Carolina childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DSS Form 2924 — Consent to Release Information and Compliance Statement (background-check consent; operator, caregivers, household members 18+) for every enrolled child (per South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing).
South Carolina childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DSS Form 2901 — Staff Medical Statement for every enrolled child (per South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing).
South Carolina childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DSS Form 2926 — Staff Health Assessment for every enrolled child (per South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing).
South Carolina childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed DHEC Form 2740 — South Carolina Certificate of Immunization (current certificate required in each child's health record per 114-503.G.(6)(b)) for every enrolled child (per South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing).
South Carolina Required Forms & Documents at a Glance
| DSS Form 2902 — Application to Operate a Child Care Facility | South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing |
|---|---|
| DSS Form 2905 — Health/Fire Inspection Request | South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing |
| DSS Form 2964 — Child Care Facility Staff/Caregiver List (director plus at least two additional staff) | South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing |
| DSS Form 2924 — Consent to Release Information and Compliance Statement (background-check consent; operator, caregivers, household members 18+) | South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing |
| DSS Form 2901 — Staff Medical Statement | South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing |
| DSS Form 2926 — Staff Health Assessment | South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing |
| DHEC Form 2740 — South Carolina Certificate of Immunization (current certificate required in each child's health record per 114-503.G.(6)(b)) | South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing |
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South Carolina Required Forms & Documents: Frequently Asked Questions
What forms are required for childcare enrollment in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires the following forms for each enrolled child: 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)).
How long must South Carolina childcare centers keep enrollment forms on file?
South Carolina childcare licensing rules require that child records, including all required enrollment forms, be kept on file for the duration of enrollment and for a retention period after the child leaves. Contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing to confirm the exact retention schedule.
What happens if a South Carolina center is missing required child forms during an inspection?
Missing or incomplete required forms are a citable deficiency in a South Carolina childcare licensing inspection. Operating without a license or violating any provision of the childcare chapter is a misdemeanor: upon conviction, a fine not exceeding $1,500 or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both (S.C. Code Ann. 63-13-170). A license is required to operate a private childcare center (S.C. Code Ann. 63-13-410). DSS may seek injunctive relief against a facility operating without a license, where a violation threatens serious harm to children, or where an operator has repeatedly violated the chapter or regulations (S.C. Code Ann. 63-13-160). DSS may also deny, revoke, or refuse to renew a license/approval (S.C. Code Regs. 114-502.D), and may issue a provisional license/approval with an accompanying correction notice for violations that do not seriously threaten children (114-502.A.(5)(b)). Separately, a mandated reporter (including childcare workers) who knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse/neglect is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not more than $500 or imprisonment not more than six months, or both (S.C. Code Ann. 63-7-410; duty to report under 63-7-310).
Does TotReady provide templates for South Carolina required forms?
TotReady's enrollment form tool and incident report tool generate South Carolina-ready documents pre-filled with the required fields. Visit /tools/enrollment-form and /tools/incident-report to get started.
South Carolina childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published South Carolina administrative codes and statutes 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 relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.