DSS Child Care Licensing (SC Reg. 114-500) Compliant

South Carolina ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with South Carolina DSS Child Care Licensing (SC Reg. 114-500) regulations. Bloomily helps South Carolina childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for South Carolina licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Birth to under 1 year; ratio is 1:5 across all license-tenure tiers.
1:5—
toddler
1 to under 2 years; ratio is 1:6 across all license-tenure tiers.
1:6—
two_year
2 to under 3 years; R-114-524 sets three tiers by license tenure: 1:9 (first 2 yrs), 1:8 (3rd yr), 1:7 (4+ yrs). Using mature/standard center value of 1:7. Production had 1:8 (3-yr tier); prior-research file correctly listed 1:9 as most restrictive. For a compliance display showing the standard an established center must meet, 1:7 is the operative ratio.
1:7—
preschool_3
3 to under 4 years; tiers: 1:13 (2 yrs), 1:12 (3 yrs), 1:11 (4+ yrs). Mature-center value: 1:11. Production had 1:12 (3-yr tier).
1:11—
preschool_4
4 to under 5 years; tiers: 1:18 (2 yrs), 1:17 (3 yrs), 1:16 (4+ yrs). Mature-center value: 1:16. Production had 1:17 (3-yr tier).
1:16—
school_age_5
5 to under 6 years; tiers: 1:21 (2 yrs), 1:20 (3 yrs), 1:19 (4+ yrs). Mature-center value: 1:19. Production had 1:20 (3-yr tier).
1:19—
School Age (5+ years)
6 to 12 years; ratio is 1:23 across all tiers. SC defines 'child' as birth through age 12 (§63-13-20), so max band is 144 months. Production used max=156 (13 yrs) which is incorrect.
1:23—

Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.

Required Certifications

Certifications required for South Carolina childcare staff

Annual Training (15 hours)

South Carolina required 15 clock hours annual training per SC Reg. 114-502

Renew annuallyDocument required

Background Check (South Carolina)

SLED (State Law Enforcement Division) and FBI fingerprint-based background check per SC Reg. 114-502

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Central Registry Check (South Carolina)

DSS Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect check

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

ECD Credential (South Carolina)

South Carolina Early Childhood Development credential for lead teachers

Document required

First Aid (South Carolina)

First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Pediatric CPR (South Carolina)

Infant and child CPR certification required per SC Reg. 114-502

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Pre-Service Training (South Carolina)

South Carolina pre-service orientation within 6 months of employment

Document required

Staff Health Assessment (South Carolina)

TB risk assessment or test required before working with children

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.

Emergency Drill Requirements

Required safety drills for South Carolina childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

Fire drills must be conducted monthly. Facilities providing night care must also conduct an unannounced drill during sleeping hours at least every 60 days (R-114-509 C(2)).

Ref: S.C. Code Regs. § R-114-505 H(3) (Health, Sanitation and Safety — Emergency Evacuation Plans); R-114-509 C(2) (Night Care)

Lockdown/Security

Twice per year

Lockdown/secure-perimeter drills required at least semi-annually per DSS emergency preparedness procedures for providers (implementing R-114-505 H(3) written emergency plan requirement). Production had 'semi_annual' — corrected spelling to 'semi_annually'.

Ref: S.C. Code Regs. § R-114-505 H(3) (Health, Sanitation and Safety — Emergency Evacuation Plans); R-114-509 C(2) (Night Care)

Severe Weather

Twice per year

Drills for other disasters (including severe weather/tornado) must be conducted at least every 6 months per DSS emergency preparedness guidance implementing R-114-505 H(3). Records must be kept for 3 years.

Ref: S.C. Code Regs. § R-114-505 H(3) (Health, Sanitation and Safety — Emergency Evacuation Plans); R-114-509 C(2) (Night Care)

Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on South Carolina DSS Child Care Licensing (SC Reg. 114-500) requirements

Licensing(5)Physical Environment(10)Health Practices(7)Safety Practices(10)Staff Requirements(9)Child Records(7)Supervision(2)

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: SC Reg. 114-501

Licensing

Capacity not exceeded

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: SC Reg. 114-501

Licensing

Written operational policies available

Ref: SC Reg. 114-501

Licensing

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: SC Reg. 114-501

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area adequate and safe

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained appropriately

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Physical Environment

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Physical Environment

Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Physical Environment

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Physical Environment

Fall zones with resilient surfacing

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Physical Environment

Daily health observation performed

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Health Practices

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Health Practices

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Health Practices

Medications stored locked and inaccessible

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Health Practices

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Health Practices

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Health Practices

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Health Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Safety Practices

Smoke detectors working

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Safety Practices

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Safety Practices

Fire drills conducted monthly

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Safety Practices

Severe weather drills quarterly

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Safety Practices

Lockdown drills semi-annually

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Safety Practices

Drill records documented properly

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Safety Practices

Emergency plan posted

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Safety Practices

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Safety Practices

Pool secured (if applicable)

Ref: SC Reg. 114-504

Safety Practices

SLED/FBI background check current for all staff

Ref: SC Reg. 114-502

Staff Requirements

Central Registry check completed

Ref: SC Reg. 114-502

Staff Requirements

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: SC Reg. 114-502

Staff Requirements

CPR certification current

Ref: SC Reg. 114-502

Staff Requirements

First Aid certification current

Ref: SC Reg. 114-502

Staff Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Staff Requirements

Annual training completed (15 hours)

Ref: SC Reg. 114-502

Staff Requirements

Pre-service training within 6 months

Ref: SC Reg. 114-502

Staff Requirements

TB assessment on file

Ref: SC Reg. 114-502

Staff Requirements

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Child Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Child Records

Immunization records on file (DHEC 1148)

Ref: SC Code 44-29-180

Child Records

Health examination on file (under 5)

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Child Records

Allergy/special needs documented

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Child Records

Attendance records maintained

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Supervision

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: SC Reg. 114-503

Supervision

Track your South Carolina compliance digitally

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South Carolina compliance and operations resources

Health and safety featuresTrack incidents, medication, immunizations, and safety workflows.Ratio calculatorCalculate staff-to-child ratios for your classrooms.Attendance softwareMonitor rosters, ratios, check-in, and pickup in real time.Daycare management softwareRun compliance, attendance, billing, and parent communication together.Daily reports guideImprove parent communication with consistent daily reports.Meal tracking guidePlan meal records, parent updates, and billing connections.

Nearby State Requirements

GeorgiaNorth Carolina

Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.

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Ready to simplify South Carolina compliance?

Join childcare centers across South Carolina that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.

Real-time staff-to-child ratio monitoring
Automated certification expiration alerts
Pre-inspection checklist management
Emergency drill scheduling and tracking
Digital parent communication
Mobile check-in/check-out kiosks

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