How to start a daycare in South Carolina.
South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) licenses child care centers in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina, step by step
Attend an orientation
Go to a new applicant orientation. You get an application packet with every form you need before it.
Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)Send building plans to the fire marshal
If required, send your architectural plans to the Chief Fire Marshal at DSS Child Care Licensing.
Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)Apply to your regional office
Send your zoning approval, application and fire and health inspection request to your regional licensing office.
Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)Finish your application packet
Fill out the other required documents in your application packet. Send them to Child Care Licensing for review.
Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)Pass the fire, health and licensing visits
The fire and health inspector and Child Care Licensing visit your center. If all rules are met, your application goes for approval.
Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)Pass the full evaluation
Run for at least 45 days with 13 or more children enrolled. Then licensing visits again for a full review.
Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS), Division of Early Care and Education. Runs child care licensing and regulates providers through four regional offices.Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)
- Child care center
- 13 or more childrenSource: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare Facilities
- First license
- A provisional licenseSource: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)
- Background checks
- State and federal checks for all staffSource: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)
- Inspections
- An unannounced visit every yearSource: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)
Good to know
- Center programs open less than 4 hours a day may be legally exempt. Home programs cannot be.Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)
Run a program in South Carolina? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in South Carolina
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- South Carolina licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in South Carolina
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in South Carolina
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- 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 South Carolina?
The first step: Attend an orientation. All 6 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in South Carolina?
South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS), Division of Early Care and Education. Runs child care licensing and regulates providers through four regional offices.
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 South Carolina?
Tell us what you run or plan to open. A person on our team answers.