South Dakota ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with South Dakota DSS Child Care Licensing (ARSD Chapter 67:42) regulations. Bloomily helps South Dakota childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for South Dakota licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 12 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Toddlers 12-24 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
Older Toddlers (24-36 months) Older toddlers 24-36 months | 1:7 | 14 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Preschool 3-4 years | 1:10 | 20 children |
prek Pre-K 4-5 years | 1:12 | 24 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 5+ years | 1:15 | 30 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for South Dakota childcare staff
Annual Training (South Dakota)
South Dakota requires minimum 20 clock hours annual professional development
Child Abuse/Neglect Registry Check (South Dakota)
South Dakota DSS child abuse and neglect registry check required
Criminal Background Check (South Dakota)
South Dakota DCI and FBI fingerprint background check required
Director Qualifications (South Dakota)
Director qualifications per ARSD including education and experience requirements
First Aid (South Dakota)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Food Handler Certification (South Dakota)
Food safety training for staff preparing food
Lead Caregiver Qualifications (South Dakota)
Lead caregiver qualifications per ARSD regulations
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Mandatory Reporter Training (South Dakota)
South Dakota mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect
Orientation Training (South Dakota)
Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment
Pediatric CPR (South Dakota)
Infant and child CPR certification required for all caregivers
Safe Sleep Training (South Dakota)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for South Dakota childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, number of children, and evacuation time
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:12
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:12
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location annually
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:12
Tornado/Severe Weather
Tornado/severe weather drills quarterly during tornado season
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:12
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on South Dakota DSS Child Care Licensing (ARSD Chapter 67:42) requirements
Current DSS license posted in visible location
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:02
License capacity not exceeded
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:02
Operating within licensed hours
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:02
Parent handbook current and available
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:05
Written policies and procedures current
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:05
Fee schedule posted or provided to parents
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:05
Liability insurance current and adequate
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:07
Required postings visible (license, emergency plans, menus)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:05
DSS contact information posted
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:05
Reporting requirements met (incidents, changes)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:08
All staff have current background clearances (DCI and FBI)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:04
Child Abuse/Neglect Registry checks completed
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:04
Director meets education/experience requirements
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:02
Lead caregivers meet qualification requirements
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:03
All staff have current CPR certification
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:05
All staff have current First Aid certification
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:05
Mandatory reporter training completed (all staff)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:05
Annual training requirements met (20 hours)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:06
Orientation training completed within 90 days
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:06
Safe sleep training for infant caregivers
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:05
Staff health assessments current
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:07
Staff files complete with required documentation
Ref: ARSD 67:42:02:08
Enrollment forms complete for all children
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:01
Emergency contact information current
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:01
Immunization records current (SDIIS verified)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:02
Health assessments on file
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:02
Authorized pickup persons documented
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:01
Allergy and special health needs documented
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:03
Medication authorization forms complete
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:06
Individual health care plans current (if applicable)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:03
Daily attendance records maintained
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:08
Parent rights acknowledgment signed
Ref: ARSD 67:42:01:05
First aid kit fully stocked and accessible
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:07
Medications stored properly (locked, labeled)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:06
Cleaning and hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: ARSD 67:42:04:08
Handwashing procedures followed and documented
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:04
Diapering and toileting procedures posted
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:05
Safe sleep practices followed (infants on back)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:06:02
Food handling and safety requirements met
Ref: ARSD 67:42:07:01
Illness exclusion policy current
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:09
Water temperature safe (120°F max)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:04:05
Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited
Ref: ARSD 67:42:04:09
Fire drill records current (monthly)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:12
Tornado drill records current (quarterly)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:12
Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:12
Emergency evacuation plan posted and current
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:12
Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible
Ref: ARSD 67:42:04:06
Emergency contact lists readily available
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:12
Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times
Ref: ARSD 67:42:05:04
Indoor and outdoor space meets requirements
Ref: ARSD 67:42:04:01
Track your South Dakota 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.
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