What is required to become a Family Child Care provider?
To obtain a family child care learning home license, a provider must be 21 years old or older and meet education requirements, as detailed in the
Family Child Care Learning Home Rules and Regulations in the Staffing and Supervision chapter. The individual must submit to Livescan fingerprinting through Gemalto system and complete 20 hours of pre-service training which includes attending a License Orientation Meeting (LOM). Additionally, the prospective provider must have current Infant, Child & Adult CPR training & First Aid training. Other adults (17 years and older) living in the home must submit to a national fingerprint background check. For an application and listing of requirements go to
Family Child Care Learning Home located at Child Care Services > Starting a Child Care Program > Family Child Care Learning Home.
How many children can enroll in a Family Child Care Learning home?
Family Child Care providers can keep no more than 6 unrelated children for pay or no pay. However, the provider is allowed to care for two additional children, three years and older for two hours daily upon request. The Request to Care for Additional Children form must be completed & submitted to Bright from the Start.
How long does it take to become licensed as a Family Child Care Learning Home provider?
The process typically takes between one to two months from the time a complete application is submitted until the Family Child Care Learning Home is licensed to operate. The timeframe varies among applicants, depending on the submission of all required documentation along with the application form. Applications are reviewed on a first-received, first-reviewed basis.
Do Family Child Care providers need a business license?
Family Child Care providers must adhere to city and county ordinances. If the city or county requires a business license, then the Family Child Care provider will need to follow that requirement.
Can a family child care home operate in an apartment?
Yes. Family Child Care Learning homes can be operated within residential property provided that the provider is adhering to city and county ordinances.
Is an outside play area and fence mandatory at a Family Child Care home?
Yes, an outside play area is required with a fence or approved barrier. The designated outside play area must be at the Family Child Care Home or within the apartment complex or subdivision unless otherwise approved by the Department. For questions, contact Bright from the Start at 404-657-5562 and ask to speak with a Child Care Services intake consultant on duty.
How many hours of training are needed to maintain a license?
Ten (10) hours of state approved training is required annually.
What is an informal provider?
An informal provider provides care in their home to related children that are subsidized by the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS).Informal providers are not required to hold a registration. Anyone interested in this, should contact their local DFCS office for information.
What is required to open a Child Care Learning Center (CCLC)?
To obtain a license, an owner must have a building with all required facility approvals. The owner or director must attend a Licensing Orientation Meeting (LOM). The director must be 21 years old or older with the required education and experience and also have documentation of current Infant, Child & Adult CPR & First Aid training. Additionally, the director must have satisfactory Live Scan fingerprints through Gemalto and have completed a 40 hour director training course. For an application and requirements go to
Child Care Learning Center, located at Child Care Services > Starting a Child Care Program > Child Care Learning Center
How long does the licensing process take?
The process typically takes at least three to six months from the time the application is submitted until the facility is licensed to operate. The timeframe varies among applicants, depending on the clarity and accuracy of the plans and information submitted. Plans are reviewed on a first-received, first-reviewed basis.
Can a program begin operating if there is a pending active application?
No, you must be granted permission to operate by Bright from the Start prior to opening for business.
If a facility changes locations, is it allowed to operate at the new location prior to being licensed?
No, Bright from the Start must grant permission to operate prior to opening for business at a new location. Operation at the old location is permitted until the new location is issued a license. A license is not transferrable from one address to another.
Are churches and non-profit organizations required to obtain a license?
Yes. The law requires that any agency, individual or entity caring for three or more children be licensed. Certain programs offered by churches and other organizations MAY meet specific exemption criteria which would eliminate the need for licensure. For specific questions, please contact Bright from the Start at 404-657-5562 and ask to speak with a Child Care Services intake consultant on duty.
Are after school programs required to obtain a license?
Yes. The law requires that any agency, individual or entity caring for three or more children of any age be registered or licensed unless they have obtained an exemption from licensure. This includes after school programs. For specific questions, please contact Bright from the Start at 404-657-5562 and ask to speak with a Child Care Services intake consultant on duty.
What type of zoning documentation should be submitted with an application to establish a child care center?
Application Part A requires submission of zoning verification for the location of the child care facility. The agency or department with zoning jurisdiction for the area must provide a document stating the zoning district of the facility, and that a licensed child care facility is a permitted use in that zoning district.
Is Bright from the Start the only department requiring approval in order to operate a child care center?
No. In addition to Application Part A, submit zoning verification for the location of the facility, verified by the local planning/zoning office. For your Application Part B, provide additional approvals and inspections from the agency or department with fire marshal jurisdiction. Additionally, documentation of a building inspection or certificate of occupancy is needed from the local building department. If a septic tank is on the facility property, submit documentation of an inspection from the local county environmental health office.
Can an application be submitted without a floor and site plan of the child care center?
No, Application Part A will not be accepted without two copies of the floor and site plans for the specific location identified on the application.
Is an outdoor play space required at a child care program?
Yes. The Rules and Regulations for child care learning centers and family child care learning homes require an outdoor play space that is adjacent to the facility or home, can be reached by a safe route, and is completely enclosed by a fence or other approved barrier. The outdoor play space for a Child Care Learning Center with a licensed capacity of 7-18 children must have enough space to accommodate the facility’s entire capacity at 100 sq ft. of space per child (i.e. A center which serves 18 children must have an 1800 sq. ft. playground). The outdoor space for a Child Care Learning Center with a licensed capacity of 19+ children must have enough space to accommodate a minimum of 1/3 of the center’s overall capacity at 100 sq. ft. per child (i.e. A center with a capacity of 75 children must have a playground that can hold at least 25 children= 2500 sq. ft).
Who is required to take the 40-hr. director training?
The rules require that prior to the issuance of an initial license, the director of a child care learning center who is responsible for its day-to-day operations must complete a 40-hr. Director’s Training course that has been approved by Bright from the Start. The list of approved 40-hour Director Trainings can be found from the "Find Training" option in the gold bar at the top of our training homepage (
www.training.decal.ga.gov). Click "General search" then "Basic search" where you will type "40-hour Director Training" in the keyword box and then search. A list of approved trainings and the approved contact information will be displayed. Any of these trainers can be contacted to find out when and where their next training will be held and how to register for a session. If a program changes from a FCCLH to CCLC, the director is required to take the 40-hour Director Training.
Where can an applicant receive additional assistance with completing Application Part A or Part B?
Contact Bright from the Start at 404-657-5562 with any questions about starting a child care program.