South Carolina Childcare Daycare Inspection Prep (2026)

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.

S.C

Initial and renewal inspections require at least two working days' notice (114-502.C.(2)).

114-502.C.(2)

A regular license/approval is valid for two years from issuance (114-502.B.(1))

114-502.B.(1)

the renewal process is initiated 120 days before expiration (114-502.F.(1)).

114-502.F.(1)

Health and fire officials also inspect the facility (114-502.A.(2) and 114-502.A.(4)).

114-502.A.(2) and 114-502.A.(4)

Additional unannounced inspections occur upon receipt of a regulatory complaint (114-502.C.(5)).

114-502.C.(5)

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.

S.C

A license is required to operate a private childcare center (S.C.

S.C

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.

S.C

DSS may also deny, revoke, or refuse to renew a license/approval (S.C.

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)).

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.

including childcare workers

duty to report under 63-7-310).

S.C

During a South Carolina childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Birth to one year (infants) age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:5.

During a South Carolina childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the One to two years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:6.

During a South Carolina childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Two to three years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:8.

During a South Carolina childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Three to four years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:12.

During a South Carolina childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Four to five years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:17.

During a South Carolina childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Five to six years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:20.

During a South Carolina childcare inspection, staff-to-child ratios are verified: the Six to twelve years age group must be staffed at no looser than 1:23.

South Carolina inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Hours of Operation policy (Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy.) per S.C. Code Regs. 114-501.A.(17) (Definitions — Night Care: a licensed facility operating between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.; no fixed hours-of-operation rule exists. Director or designee physically present on-site during hours of operation per 114-503.K.(3)(b); co-director required when operating more than 12 hours/day).

S.C. Code Regs. 114-501.A.(17) (Definitions — Night Care: a licensed facility operating between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.; no fixed hours-of-operation rule exists. Director or designee physically present on-site during hours of operation per 114-503.K.(3)(b); co-director required when operating more than 12 hours/day)

South Carolina inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy policy (Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps.) per S.C. Code Regs. 114-506.B (Discipline and behavior management; teacher/caregiver agreement specifying no corporal punishment per 114-506.B.(2)).

S.C. Code Regs. 114-506.B (Discipline and behavior management; teacher/caregiver agreement specifying no corporal punishment per 114-506.B.(2))

South Carolina inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Illness and Exclusion Policy policy (Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.) per S.C. Code Regs. 114-505.A.(2) (children excluded per SC DHEC Exclusion Policy, S.C. Code Sections 44-1-110, 44-1-140, 44-29-10); see also 114-509.B for care of mildly ill children.

S.C. Code Regs. 114-505.A.(2) (children excluded per SC DHEC Exclusion Policy, S.C. Code Sections 44-1-110, 44-1-140, 44-29-10); see also 114-509.B for care of mildly ill children

South Carolina inspectors verify that the parent handbook includes a written Medication Administration Policy policy (Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.) per S.C. Code Regs. 114-505.D (Medications or medical procedures — written parental consent, storage, medication log, and medication-error reporting).

S.C. Code Regs. 114-505.D (Medications or medical procedures — written parental consent, storage, medication log, and medication-error reporting)

How often does South Carolina inspect licensed childcare centers?

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)).

What do South Carolina inspectors check during a childcare inspection?

South Carolina childcare inspectors typically verify: (1) staff-to-child ratios are met for every age group, (2) staff CPR/First Aid certifications and background checks are current, (3) each child's file contains required enrollment, immunization, and emergency-contact records, (4) fire-drill logs are complete, (5) the parent handbook covers all required policy sections, and (6) the physical environment is free of hazards such as unsecured cleaning supplies and missing outlet covers.

What happens if a South Carolina childcare center fails an 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).

How can I prepare my South Carolina childcare center for an unannounced inspection?

Use the /inspection-check tool on TotReady to run a pre-inspection self-audit. Key areas: confirm all staff ratios are met and documented, verify CPR and background-check expiration dates, audit every child file for completeness, check that fire-drill logs are current, and walk the facility for physical hazards (unsecured chemicals, missing outlet covers, blocked exits).

Which handbook sections do South Carolina inspectors verify?

South Carolina inspectors check that the parent handbook includes these required sections: Hours of Operation, Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy, Illness and Exclusion Policy, Medication Administration Policy. Each must be present and comply with the cited South Carolina administrative code.