How to start a home daycare in Georgia.
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) oversees home daycares in Georgia. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare Georgia allows
Family child care learning home
3 to 6 children under 13 who are not related to you
It is the one kind of licensed home daycare in Georgia.
Source: Rules and Regulations: Family Child Care Learning Homes, Chapter 290-2-3
Starting a home daycare in Georgia, step by step
Take the home licensing orientation
Every applicant completes the Family Child Care Learning Home Licensing Orientation before applying.
Source: Family Child Care Learning HomeFinish pre-service training
Complete the approved pre-service training before you apply. It includes in-person CPR and first aid.
Source: Family Child Care Learning HomeCall your local fire marshal
Ask the local fire marshal if local rules apply to a child care home in your area.
Source: Applicant's Guide to Licensing for Family Child Care Learning HomesGet a zoning letter
Get a letter from local zoning saying your home is zoned for family child care. Or get one saying no zoning applies.
Source: Applicant's Guide to Licensing for Family Child Care Learning HomesShow proof you live there
Send a deed, mortgage statement or lease. Add a homeowners association or landlord letter if needed.
Source: Family Child Care Learning HomeGet fingerprinted
You and every adult 17 or older in your home get fingerprinted. So does any adult there during care.
Source: Applicant's Guide to Licensing for Family Child Care Learning HomesApply in DECAL KOALA
Apply online through DECAL KOALA. Email and fax applications are not accepted.
Source: Family Child Care Learning HomePass the initial licensing visit
Once your application and licensing visit are approved, you get your final license and can start care.
Source: Applicant's Guide to Licensing for Family Child Care Learning Homes
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). The only agency that issues family child care learning home licenses.Source: Applicant's Guide to Licensing for Family Child Care Learning Homes
- Before you are licensed
- Up to 2 children for paySource: Applicant's Guide to Licensing for Family Child Care Learning Homes
- Where
- A home in a residential zone, not a commercial buildingSource: Applicant's Guide to Licensing for Family Child Care Learning Homes
- Provider age
- 21 or olderSource: Rules and Regulations: Family Child Care Learning Homes, Chapter 290-2-3
- Provider education
- An early childhood credential or degree, such as a CDASource: Rules and Regulations: Family Child Care Learning Homes, Chapter 290-2-3
- Pre-service training
- At least 10 hours before you applySource: Family Child Care Learning Home
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
- With DECAL's approval, a home may care for 2 more children age 3 or older. This is for two one-hour periods a day.Source: Rules and Regulations: Family Child Care Learning Homes, Chapter 290-2-3
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 daycare in Georgia
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- 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 home daycare in Georgia?
The first step: Take the home licensing orientation. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Georgia?
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). The only agency that issues family child care learning home licenses.
How many children can a home daycare in Georgia care for?
Family child care learning home: 3 to 6 children under 13 who are not related to you.
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.
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