How to start a daycare in Georgia.
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) licenses child care centers in Georgia. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
Opening a child care center in Georgia, step by step
Take the licensing orientation
Complete the Child Care Licensing Orientation. Send a copy of its certificate with your application.
Source: Child Care Learning CenterRegister your business
Your business needs active registration with the Georgia Secretary of State.
Source: Child Care Learning CenterFind the agencies that cover your site
Find out which local and state agencies handle fire, zoning, building and health rules for your site.
Source: Steps For Successful ApplicationGet zoning approval
Get zoning approval from the right local agency. It must be dated within the last 12 months.
Source: Child Care Learning CenterPass fire and building checks
Get a state or local fire marshal inspection and a certificate of occupancy.
Source: Child Care Learning CenterClear criminal record checks
List your director and all staff. Each one needs a satisfactory criminal record check.
Source: Child Care Learning CenterApply in DECAL KOALA
Upload every required document to your online application. Then submit it for review.
Source: Child Care Learning CenterPass the on-site inspection
A consultant inspects your center. If it is approved, you get Permission to Operate and can open.
Source: Steps For Successful Application
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). Licenses child care learning centers and family child care learning homes.Source: Rules and Regulations
- Child care learning center
- Group care for 7 or more children, for pay, less than 24 hours a daySource: Rules and Regulations: Child Care Learning Centers, Chapter 591-1-1
- How to apply
- Online only, through DECAL KOALASource: Child Care Learning Center
- Orientation certificate
- Dated within the last 24 monthsSource: Child Care Learning Center
- Rules for centers
- Chapter 591-1-1Source: Rules and Regulations: Child Care Learning Centers, Chapter 591-1-1
Good to know
- For general licensing questions, call Bright from the Start and ask for the Consultant of the Day.Source: Starting a Child Care Program
- Caring for more than 6 children for pay, related or not, takes a child care learning center license.Source: Rules and Regulations: Family Child Care Learning Homes, Chapter 290-2-3
- To buy a licensed center that is open now, apply online for a change of ownership.Source: Starting a Child Care Program
- Some programs do not need a license. DECAL asks every program to take an online self-assessment to check.Source: Exemptions
Run a program in Georgia? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Georgia
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Georgia licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in Georgia?
The first step: Take the licensing orientation. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Georgia?
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). Licenses child care learning centers and family child care learning homes.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in Georgia?
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