South Carolina Childcare Licensing Requirements
South Carolina childcare centers must include 13 mandatory sections in parent handbooks 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).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamRequired Handbook Sections
The following sections must appear in every South Carolina 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. | 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) | Required |
| Behavior Guidance and Discipline PolicyGuide → | Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-506.B (Discipline and behavior management; teacher/caregiver agreement specifying no corporal punishment per 114-506.B.(2)) | Required |
| Illness and Exclusion PolicyGuide → | Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures. | 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 | Required |
| Medication Administration PolicyGuide → | Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-505.D (Medications or medical procedures — written parental consent, storage, medication log, and medication-error reporting) | Required |
| Emergency ProceduresGuide → | Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-505.H (Fire safety and emergency preparedness; written evacuation plan 114-505.H.(3); emergency medical plan 114-505.C) | Required |
| Arrival and Departure Procedures | Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-504.A.(3) (written procedure to account for the presence of each child entering/exiting the premises, a vehicle, or new location); release-of-children policy 114-503.F.(2) | Required |
| Nutrition and Meals Policy | Meals and snacks provided; food allergy procedures; outside food policy. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-508 (Meal Requirements; Food Preparation and Serving — meals and snacks comply with USDA Child Care Food Program Guidelines per 114-508.A.(1)(b)) | Required |
| Parent Communication Policy | Daily report procedures; how to reach staff; parent conference schedule. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.F (Parent access and communication — free and full access, release policy, information provided upon admission) | Required |
| Grievance and Complaint Procedure | Steps for resolving concerns; contact for unresolved complaints. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-502.C.(5) (complaint-triggered unannounced inspection — umbrella; no dedicated parent-grievance section in the centers regulation) | Required |
| Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting | Mandatory reporter obligations; reporting procedures; state hotline. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.C (immediate report of suspected abuse/neglect to DSS Office of Child Protective and Preventive Services or local law enforcement per S.C. Code Ann. 63-7-310) | Required |
| Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy | Enrollment process; tuition rates; payment schedule; refund policy. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.G (Child records — enrollment/admission and health records; no fee schedule set in the regulation) | Required |
| Health and Safety Policies | Handwashing procedures; diapering; sunscreen; rest time policies. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-505 (Health, Sanitation and Safety; physical-site safety detail at 114-507) | Required |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | Statement of equal access; protected classes covered. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-500.C (access within the center and physical-site accommodations for children with disabilities per applicable state and federal law — umbrella; SC childcare centers regulation has no general nondiscrimination clause) | Required |
| Transportation Policy | Vehicle safety requirements; car seat policy; authorization procedures. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-505.I (Transportation; valid regular or commercial driver's license and compliance with S.C. Code 63-13-40 per 114-505.I.(1)(f); safe pick-up/drop-off 114-505.I.(2)) | Recommended |
| Field Trip Policy | Authorization requirements; supervision ratios during off-site activities. | S.C. Code Regs. 114-505.I.(2)(c) (written parental permission on file for transporting children to field trips and activities); field-trip transport authorization in child records 114-503.G.(5)(h) — no standalone field-trip section | Recommended |
Staff-to-Child Ratios
South Carolina mandates the following maximum staff-to-child ratios by age group.
| Age Group | Staff-to-Child Ratio |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Immunization Requirements
- Current South Carolina Certificate of Immunization (DHEC Form 2740) required in each child's health record — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.G.(6)(b)
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
- Polio (IPV)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) — one dose at/after 15 months for children 15–59 months not yet age-appropriately complete; not required at age 5+
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) — one dose on/after the 2nd birthday for children 24–59 months not yet age-appropriately complete
- Medical and religious exemptions documented on DHEC 2740 per SC DPH/DHEC
Background Check Requirements
- State fingerprint review through the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) before teacher/caregiver employment or service — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(a); S.C. Code 63-13-40
- FBI national fingerprint-based criminal history check (submitted within 14 business days of receiving SLED results; provisional employment allowed after favorable SLED review) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(b)
- South Carolina Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect check for the director(s) and each staff person (except volunteers) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(1)(b)
- Sex Offender Registry: no person required to register under S.C. Code 23-3-430 may be employed, have services engaged, or be knowingly allowed in the facility during normal hours of operation — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(c)
- Disqualifying offenses: crimes under Title 16 Chapter 3 (Offenses Against the Person), Title 16 Chapter 15 (Offenses Against Morality and Decency), and contributing to the delinquency of a minor (S.C. Code 16-17-490) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(1)(a) and 114-503.K.(2)(c)
- Fingerprint reviews valid while employment continues; repeated after a break in service of one year or longer — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(d)
Inspection Frequency
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)).
Penalties for Non-Compliance
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).
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many sections must be in a South Carolina childcare parent handbook?
South Carolina childcare centers are required to include at least 13 mandatory sections in their parent handbooks per state licensing regulations enforced by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing.
Who oversees childcare licensing in South Carolina?
Childcare licensing in South Carolina is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing. You can find official licensing information at https://dss.sc.gov/child-care/.
What happens if a South Carolina childcare center doesn't have a compliant handbook?
Non-compliance with South Carolina parent handbook requirements can result in: 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 often are South Carolina childcare centers inspected?
South Carolina childcare centers are subject to the following 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)).
Detailed South Carolina Requirements
Go deeper on a single South Carolina licensing topic — each page covers the statute-cited specifics for that requirement.
Related Tools
Free tools to help your South Carolina childcare center stay compliant.
Staff-to-Child Ratio Calculator
Enter your enrollment and staff count to verify you meet state ratio requirements.
Open tool →Inspection Checklist
Step-by-step checklist to prepare your center for a state licensing inspection.
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