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.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for South Carolina licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 12 months | 1:5 | — |
toddler Toddlers 12-24 months | 1:6 | — |
twos 2-year-olds | 1:8 | — |
threes 3-year-olds | 1:12 | — |
fours 4-year-olds | 1:17 | — |
fives 5-year-olds | 1:20 | — |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 6+ years | 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
Background Check (South Carolina)
SLED (State Law Enforcement Division) and FBI fingerprint-based background check per SC Reg. 114-502
Central Registry Check (South Carolina)
DSS Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect check
ECD Credential (South Carolina)
South Carolina Early Childhood Development credential for lead teachers
First Aid (South Carolina)
First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Pediatric CPR (South Carolina)
Infant and child CPR certification required per SC Reg. 114-502
Pre-Service Training (South Carolina)
South Carolina pre-service orientation within 6 months of employment
Staff Health Assessment (South Carolina)
TB risk assessment or test required before working with children
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 required, documented with date and time
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown drills twice per year per emergency plan
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Severe Weather
Severe weather drills quarterly
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Recommended Drills
Evacuation
Evacuation to alternate site annually recommended
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
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
License displayed in prominent location
Ref: SC Reg. 114-501
Capacity not exceeded
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Operating within licensed hours
Ref: SC Reg. 114-501
Written operational policies available
Ref: SC Reg. 114-501
Parent handbook current and distributed
Ref: SC Reg. 114-501
Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Outdoor play area adequate and safe
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Temperature maintained appropriately
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Adequate lighting in all areas
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Handwashing facilities available
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Drinking water readily accessible
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Outdoor equipment safe and maintained
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Fall zones with resilient surfacing
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Daily health observation performed
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Handwashing procedures followed
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Diapering area sanitized properly
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Medications stored locked and inaccessible
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
First aid supplies stocked and accessible
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Illness exclusion policy enforced
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Fire extinguishers inspected annually
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Smoke detectors working
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Emergency exits marked and unobstructed
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Fire drills conducted monthly
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Severe weather drills quarterly
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Lockdown drills semi-annually
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Drill records documented properly
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Emergency plan posted
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
Pool secured (if applicable)
Ref: SC Reg. 114-504
SLED/FBI background check current for all staff
Ref: SC Reg. 114-502
Central Registry check completed
Ref: SC Reg. 114-502
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: SC Reg. 114-502
CPR certification current
Ref: SC Reg. 114-502
First Aid certification current
Ref: SC Reg. 114-502
Staff-to-child ratios maintained
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Annual training completed (15 hours)
Ref: SC Reg. 114-502
Pre-service training within 6 months
Ref: SC Reg. 114-502
TB assessment on file
Ref: SC Reg. 114-502
Enrollment forms complete
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Emergency contact information current
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Immunization records on file (DHEC 1148)
Ref: SC Code 44-29-180
Health examination on file (under 5)
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Allergy/special needs documented
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Attendance records maintained
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Children supervised at all times
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: SC Reg. 114-503
Track your South Carolina compliance digitally
Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
Ready to simplify South Carolina compliance?
Join childcare centers across South Carolina that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.
60-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime.