Georgia Childcare Licensing Requirements

Georgia childcare centers must include 13 mandatory sections in parent handbooks per Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.19.

Licensing Agency

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Required Handbook Sections

The following sections must appear in every Georgia childcare parent handbook per state licensing rules.

Section	Description	Citation	Status
Hours of Operation	Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.19	Required
Behavior Guidance and Discipline PolicyGuide →	Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.16	Required
Illness and Exclusion PolicyGuide →	Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.26(4)	Required
Medication Administration PolicyGuide →	Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.26(5)	Required
Emergency ProceduresGuide →	Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.30	Required
Arrival and Departure Procedures	Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.19(b)	Required
Nutrition and Meals Policy	Meals and snacks provided; food allergy procedures; outside food policy.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.29	Required
Parent Communication Policy	Daily report procedures; how to reach staff; parent conference schedule.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.19(a)	Required
Grievance and Complaint Procedure	Steps for resolving concerns; contact for unresolved complaints.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.19(c)	Required
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting	Mandatory reporter obligations; reporting procedures; state hotline.	Georgia Code §19-7-5; DECAL Rules §591-1-1-.16(5)	Required
Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy	Enrollment process; tuition rates; payment schedule; refund policy.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.19(d)	Required
Health and Safety Policies	Handwashing procedures; diapering; sunscreen; rest time policies.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.26	Required
Nondiscrimination Policy	Statement of equal access; protected classes covered.	Georgia Code §45-19-29; DECAL Rules §591-1-1-.01	Required
Transportation Policy	Vehicle safety requirements; car seat policy; authorization procedures.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.31	Recommended
Field Trip Policy	Authorization requirements; supervision ratios during off-site activities.	Georgia Rules for Child Care Learning Centers §591-1-1-.32	Recommended

Staff-to-Child Ratios

Georgia mandates the following maximum staff-to-child ratios by age group.

Age Group	Staff-to-Child Ratio
Infant (0-12 months)	1:6
Toddler (12-18 months)	1:6
Toddler (18-36 months)	1:8
Preschool (3 years)	1:15
Preschool (4-5 years)	1:18

Immunization Requirements

DTaP
Polio
MMR
Varicella
Hib
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis A
Pneumococcal

Background Check Requirements

GBI fingerprint background check
FBI background check
GCIC records check

Inspection Frequency

Annual; unannounced inspections at least twice per year for high-risk facilities

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Administrative sanctions; fines; license denial, suspension, or revocation under Georgia Code §20-1A-43

Generate a Georgia-Compliant Handbook

TotReady generates a fully compliant parent handbook for your Georgia childcare center in minutes — with every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sections must be in a Georgia childcare parent handbook?

Georgia childcare centers are required to include at least 13 mandatory sections in their parent handbooks per state licensing regulations enforced by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

Who oversees childcare licensing in Georgia?

Childcare licensing in Georgia is regulated by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. You can find official licensing information at https://decal.ga.gov/BrightFromTheStart/About.aspx.

What happens if a Georgia childcare center doesn't have a compliant handbook?

Non-compliance with Georgia parent handbook requirements can result in: Administrative sanctions; fines; license denial, suspension, or revocation under Georgia Code §20-1A-43

How often are Georgia childcare centers inspected?

Georgia childcare centers are subject to the following inspection schedule: Annual; unannounced inspections at least twice per year for high-risk facilities