Georgia DECAL childcare licensing — complete guide
If you want to open a licensed daycare in Georgia, you'll go through DECAL — the state agency that regulates all childcare programs. This guide explains exactly what DECAL licensing requires, how long it takes, and what trips up first-time applicants.
What is DECAL?
DECAL — the Department of Early Care and Learning — is the Georgia state agency responsible for licensing, regulating, and supporting childcare programs across the state. If you want to legally operate a childcare center or family daycare home in Georgia and serve four or more unrelated children, you need a DECAL license.
DECAL conducts annual inspections, processes applications, and maintains the public registry of licensed providers that parents use to find and verify daycares. CloverMap pulls directly from DECAL's licensing database to keep our listings current — which means every daycare you see on CloverMap has been verified against the state's active license records.
DECAL licensing is not optional if you want to accept CAPS subsidy payments, participate in Georgia's Pre-K program, or list your daycare on CloverMap as a licensed provider. It's also what gives families the assurance that your center meets state health, safety, and staffing standards.
The three DECAL license types
Georgia issues three types of childcare licenses, and choosing the wrong one is one of the most common early mistakes. The type you need depends on where your daycare operates and how many children you serve.
Child Care Learning Center (CCLC)
For centers serving 7 or more children in a non-residential facility — commercial buildings, church spaces, standalone centers. This is the most common license type for traditional daycare centers. It requires a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child and has the most comprehensive staffing and facility requirements.
Family Child Care Home (FCCH)
For providers serving 4–6 children in their personal residence. Home daycare operators with 1–3 unrelated children may operate without a license, but serving 4 or more requires this license. FCCHs have different (generally less extensive) facility requirements than CCLCs, reflecting the home environment.
Group Child Care Home (GCCH)
For providers serving 7–18 children in a residential setting. GCCHs bridge the gap between home daycares and full centers — they're often converted homes or attached spaces. They have more stringent requirements than FCCHs but less than CCLCs in some areas.
Core requirements for all DECAL licenses
Regardless of which license type you're applying for, all Georgia childcare licenses share a set of baseline requirements. These are the areas DECAL evaluates before issuing any license.
Facility space
A minimum of 35 square feet of usable indoor activity space per child is required. This excludes bathrooms, hallways, storage areas, and the kitchen. Infant rooms require an additional 10 square feet per infant. DECAL will measure your space during the pre-licensing inspection and calculate your licensed capacity from the usable area.
Staff-to-child ratios
Georgia requires specific ratios by age group: 1:6 for infants (0–12 months), 1:8 for young toddlers (13–24 months), 1:10 for older toddlers (25–36 months), 1:15 for preschool (37–48 months), and 1:20 for Pre-K (49–60 months). These ratios must be maintained at all times, not just during scheduled activities.
Director pre-licensing training
The director of the facility must complete 10 hours of DECAL-approved pre-licensing orientation training before the application is submitted. This training covers child development principles, Georgia regulations, health and safety, and administrative requirements. DECAL maintains a list of approved training providers on their website.
Staff background checks
Every person working at the facility — including volunteers who work regularly — must pass a fingerprint-based background check through the Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS) before they can work with children. Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks. You cannot submit your license application until background check clearance letters are on file for all staff.
CPR and first aid
At least one staff member with current infant and child CPR certification and pediatric first aid certification must be present at all times during operating hours. Certifications must be from an approved provider (American Red Cross or American Heart Association are the most common). Keep copies in your personnel files.
Fire inspection
A fire inspection report from your local fire marshal is required. The inspection must have occurred within the 12 months prior to your application. Contact your local fire marshal's office to schedule the inspection early — wait times vary by county and can be several weeks.
Free: DECAL pre-application checklist
A printable checklist of every document and requirement you need before submitting. Download it and work through it step by step.
The DECAL application process
The DECAL licensing process has five distinct phases. Most delays happen in phases one and two — getting your facility inspection scheduled and background checks cleared. The application itself (phase three) is straightforward once you have everything ready.
- 1Phase 1Preparation (4–8 weeks)
Create your DECAL provider portal account, secure your facility, complete director training, submit staff background checks through GAPS, and schedule your fire inspection. Do all of this before touching the application. Background checks and fire inspections are the longest lead-time items.
- 2Phase 2Pre-application checks (2–4 weeks)
Receive background check clearance letters for all staff. Receive your fire inspection report. Measure and document your usable floor space. Prepare your parent policy handbook. Gather proof of business entity (Articles of Incorporation, DBA registration, or equivalent).
- 3Phase 3Submit application (1 hour)
Log into the DECAL provider portal and complete the online application. Upload all required documents: fire inspection report, director training certificate, staff background clearance letters, floor plan, and policy handbook. Pay the $35 application fee.
- 4Phase 4DECAL review (30–45 days)
A DECAL licensing specialist reviews your application. They may request additional documentation or clarification. Respond promptly to any requests — delays here extend your total timeline. Once the application is approved, they'll contact you to schedule the on-site pre-licensing inspection.
- 5Phase 5Pre-licensing inspection → license issued (1–2 weeks)
A DECAL inspector visits your facility to verify that everything meets state standards. If corrections are needed, you'll receive a notice specifying each issue and a deadline. Once all corrections are resolved, your license is issued. Display it prominently at your entrance.
Why first-time applications get rejected
Most first-time DECAL applications require at least one correction before the license is issued. These are the six most common reasons applications come back with correction notices.
Fire inspection report older than 12 months at the time of submission — schedule it no more than 8 weeks before you plan to submit.
Staff background check clearance letters missing for one or more employees — submit background checks for every person working at the facility, including part-time staff.
Director training certificate from a provider not on DECAL's approved list — verify approval before starting the training.
Facility square footage below 35 sq ft per child when measured against planned enrollment — recalculate capacity before setting enrollment targets.
Policy handbook missing required sections — DECAL specifies exactly which policies must be included; use their checklist.
Application submitted before all staff background checks are cleared — the most common timing mistake. Wait until every letter is in hand.
Call your regional DECAL office before submitting
Every regional office has seen the same mistakes hundreds of times. Before you submit, call and ask: "Is there anything commonly missing from first-time applications in this area?" Most coordinators are happy to spend five minutes saving you a rejection. Find your regional office at decal.ga.gov/contactUs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does DECAL licensing take in Georgia?
The DECAL licensing process typically takes 60–90 days from submitting your completed application to receiving your license, assuming no corrections are required. Scheduling a fire inspection and completing staff background checks are the two steps that most often cause delays. Budget 90 days to be safe.
How much does a DECAL license cost in Georgia?
The DECAL license application fee is $35 for most license types. This is a one-time fee paid at the time of application. There are no annual renewal fees for the license itself, but you will need to maintain current staff training and certifications, which have their own costs.
Do home daycares need a DECAL license in Georgia?
It depends on how many children you serve. Family Child Care Homes serving 4–6 children require a DECAL license. Home providers serving 1–3 children who are not related to them are not required to be licensed, but voluntary registration is available. Group Child Care Homes serving 7–18 children in a residence require a full license.
What is the staff-to-child ratio for Georgia daycares?
Georgia staff-to-child ratios are: Infants (0–12 months) 1:6, Young Toddlers (13–24 months) 1:8, Older Toddlers (25–36 months) 1:10, Preschool (37–48 months) 1:15, Pre-K (49–60 months) 1:20. You must maintain these ratios at all times, including naptime and outdoor play.
What training is required before applying for a DECAL license?
Directors must complete 10 hours of DECAL-approved pre-licensing training before submitting their application. All staff must complete CPR and pediatric first aid training. Training must be through DECAL-approved providers — you can find the current approved list on the DECAL website.
What are the most common reasons DECAL rejects applications?
The most common rejection reasons are: (1) fire inspection report older than 12 months, (2) incomplete or missing staff background check clearance letters, (3) facility square footage below the required 35 sq ft per child, (4) director training certificate from a non-approved provider, and (5) missing or incomplete policy handbook. Most rejections are correctable — DECAL will specify what needs to be fixed.
Related resources
Official DECAL resources
Get the complete DECAL pre-application checklist
A printable checklist of every document, requirement, and timing consideration — organized by phase so you don't miss anything.
Ready to apply? Get the complete guide.
The full step-by-step guide walks through every form, every document, the exact rejection reasons to avoid, and links directly to every DECAL portal and form you need. Includes a printable pre-submission checklist.
View the DECAL licensing guide — $4.99Instant access after purchase · Last verified April 2026
This article reflects DECAL requirements as of April 2026. Georgia regulations change — always verify current requirements directly with DECAL at decal.ga.gov. CloverMap is not affiliated with DECAL.