How to start a home daycare in South Carolina.
South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) oversees home daycares in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina allows
Family child care home
Up to 6 children
Care is in the operator's home. Children who live there or are related to the operator count.
Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)Group child care home
7 to 12 children
Care is in the operator's home, and it must be licensed.
Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)
Starting a home daycare in South Carolina, step by step
Fill out the registration forms
Register your family child care home on the forms DSS gives you.
Source: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare FacilitiesRead the suggested standards
Read the DSS suggested standards for family child care homes. Sign a statement that you read them.
Source: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare FacilitiesShare the standards with parents
Give each parent the standards and the steps to file a complaint. Send DSS each parent's signed statement.
Source: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare FacilitiesGet fingerprinted
Get state and federal fingerprint checks. Every type of child care needs them.
Source: Issue Brief: Child Care Licensing Requirements (DSS Brochure 501)Show zoning approval
Show that your home meets county or city zoning rules when you first register.
Source: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare FacilitiesPost your registration
Post your statement of registration where people can see it. Put your registration number in every ad.
Source: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare Facilities
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- 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)
- Registration lasts
- One year, then you renewSource: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare Facilities
- Fingerprint checks
- Done again every five yearsSource: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare Facilities
- Yearly training
- At least 10 hours that DSS approvesSource: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare Facilities
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)
- Caring only for relatives, or only for one unrelated family, does not make a family child care home.Source: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare Facilities
- A family child care home in a federal program that requires a license may choose to be licensed.Source: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare Facilities
- A group child care home must have a license from DSS before it opens.Source: Code of Laws, Title 63, Chapter 13: Childcare Facilities
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 daycare in South Carolina
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- 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 home daycare in South Carolina?
The first step: Fill out the registration forms. All 6 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares 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.
How many children can a home daycare in South Carolina care for?
Family child care home: Up to 6 children. Group child care home: 7 to 12 children.
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.
See it with your name on the door.
Get startedor see it work
Sign up today, free, and set up in an afternoon.