Georgia Daycare Self-Inspection Checklist (Printable)

Recent and upcoming changes (2025–2026)

School-age now starts at age 4 for centers Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.02(kk) Centers · School-age programs Since September 22, 2026, "School-age Children" means children who are at least 4 years old by September 1 of the current school year and eligible to attend public school (it used to say 5).
Family home rule clean-up Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.03, .07, .08, .12 Family child care Effective September 22, 2026, family child care learning homes no longer collect Social Security numbers in personnel files, the 2-foot swimming threshold was clarified, and DECAL simplified the children's records and…
New exemption for military-regulated family homes Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.22 Family child care A new rule exempts a family child care home from DECAL licensing if it is regulated by a branch of the U.S. military, serves only military families (on or off base) and does not take CAPS subsidy.
NCPA/VCA certification statement signed by owner and director and approved in DECAL KOALA DECAL NCPA/VCA Qualified Entity Certification Statement Centers · Family child care
Pediatric CPR within 45 days, and in every room Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.14; 290-2-3-.07(8) Centers · Family child care Since June 4, 2025, first aid and CPR must be pediatric, new caregivers have 45 days to get certified (it was 90), and centers must have at least one person with current pediatric CPR and first aid in every classroom…
Annual training now includes 2 hours of language and literacy Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.33(5); 290-2-3-.07(9) Centers · Family child care Since June 2025, the 10 annual training hours must include at least 2 hours of evidence-based language and literacy practice and at least 2 hours of child development or health and safety.
Parent policies describe suspension and expulsion practices Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.21(1)(l); 290-2-3-.08(8)(b) Centers · Family child care
Public schools must open after-school programs to Pre-K students O.C.G.A. § 20-2-308 (HB 1123, 2026) School-age programs Starting with the 2026-27 school year, a public elementary school that runs Georgia's Pre-K and offers an after-school program must make that program available to its Pre-K students on the same basis as other students.

Who needs a license, and what kind

Center or family home? Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.02(c); 290-2-3-.03(k) Centers · Family child care A child care learning center cares for 7 or more children under 18, for pay, for less than 24 hours a day.
Current license matches name, address, ages and hours; amendments filed 30 days ahead Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.16 Centers
Family home license steps Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04 Family child care Before applying, the provider completes pre-service training: a licensure orientation meeting, a pre-licensure course on provider competencies, and pediatric CPR and first aid (DECAL's training page puts this at 20…
Annual license fee paid in DECAL KOALA by December 1 Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.16(e); 290-2-3-.04(1)(f) Centers · Family child care
Programs exempt from licensing Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.46 Centers Exempt programs include government-owned and operated programs, school-age programs of national membership organizations, private schools, programs open no more than 4 hours a day (such as part-time preschool or parents…
Required notices posted near the entrance, including the licensing-report notice Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.27 Centers

Staff-to-child ratios

Every room within the 591-1-1-.32 ratio for its youngest qualifying age group Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.32(1) Centers
Mixed ages and keeping under-3s apart Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.32(2)–(4) Centers In centers licensed for 19 or more, the ratio for a mixed-age group follows the youngest age group that makes up more than 20% of the group, and children under 3 must be in separate areas from older children except at…
Nap time and overnight care Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.32(5)–(6) Centers During daytime naps, ratios may be doubled for children 3 and older if at least one staff member stays in each room and every staff member needed for the normal ratio is in the building to help evacuate.
No more than 6 unrelated children and 12 total under 13; helper present when 290-2-3-.07(19) applies Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.07(16)–(17), (19) Family child care
Water activities: lifeguard-trained adult present, water ratios met, written parent permission Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.35(3); 290-2-3-.07(20) Centers · Family child care

Group size and space

Attendance never exceeds licensed capacity (35 sq ft per child) Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.19 Centers · Family child care
Outdoor play space Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.26(1)–(2) Centers Centers licensed for 19 or more need an outdoor play area of at least 100 square feet times one-third of licensed capacity; centers licensed for 18 or fewer need 100 square feet times capacity (both rules apply to…
Daily schedule limits Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.03(6)–(7), (14) Centers · Family child care Children under 3 may not spend more than 30 minutes at a time in swings, highchairs, jumpseats, carriers or walkers, and infants get supervised tummy time daily.

Director and staff qualifications

Director's credential or degree on file; designated person in charge when the director is out Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.31(1) Centers
Lead teacher credential, or a written development plan with enrollment within 6 months Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.31(2) Centers
Aides, volunteers and work hours Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.31(3)–(12) Centers In centers licensed for 19 or more, aides may be 16, but 16- and 17-year-olds may never be solely responsible for children.
Provider's credential on file Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.07(1)–(3) Family child care

Background checks

Satisfactory determination letter in KOALA for every staff member before they work with children Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.09 Centers
Comprehensive determination on file for the provider, staff and every resident 17+ Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.21 Family child care
Comprehensive check renewed within 5 years for everyone Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.09(j)–(l); 290-2-3-.21(1)(k)–(m) Centers · Family child care
Report staff arrests within 24 hours Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.29(4); 290-2-3-.14(2) Centers · Family child care Within 24 hours or the next work day after you know (or should know) that a director, employee, provider, resident or provisional employee was arrested or had their determination change, report it and the person's name…

Training, first aid and CPR

Signed orientation record before first day; health and safety orientation within 90 days Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.33(1)–(3); 290-2-3-.07(5)–(7) Centers · Family child care
10 annual training hours per caregiver, including 2 in language and literacy Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.33(5); 290-2-3-.07(9) Centers · Family child care
Pediatric CPR and first aid current for every caregiver; a certified person in each classroom Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.14; 290-2-3-.07(8) Centers · Family child care
Food and nutrition training Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.33(4) Centers Within the first year, the director and the person mainly responsible for cooking need 4 clock hours of training in nutrition planning, food preparation and serving, dishwashing and food storage.

Supervision, health and safety

Staff seated within arm's length of children 36 months and under at meals; end-of-day walk-through Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.32(7)–(9); 290-2-3-.07(18) Centers · Family child care
Parents called immediately for medical attention, moderate illness or a missing-child incident Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.07; 290-2-3-.11(1) Centers · Family child care
Handwashing Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.17(7)–(8); 290-2-3-.11(1)(i)–(k) Centers · Family child care Children and staff wash with liquid soap and warm running water on arrival, after outdoor play, before and after eating or handling food, after toileting and diapering, and after touching animals or body fluids.
Required reports filed with DECAL within 24 hours Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.29; 290-2-3-.14 Centers · Family child care
No smoking, alcohol or drugs Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.28; 290-2-3-.11(1)(l) Centers · Family child care No smoking on the premises or in vehicles carrying children during operating hours, with no-smoking signs posted.

Facility, furniture, equipment and hazards

TVs, dressers, bookcases, shelving, cabinets and fish tanks anchored Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.12(4); 290-2-3-.12(6) Centers · Family child care
Chemicals, aerosols and buckets of 3+ gallons locked away; unused outlets capped Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.25(13) Centers
Smoke detector on each floor; extinguisher within 30 ft of kitchen; firearms inaccessible Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.11(2)(d)–(i); 290-2-3-.13 Family child care
Playground fence 4 ft+; climbing and swinging equipment anchored over maintained resilient surfacing Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.26(3)–(9); 290-2-3-.13(2) Centers · Family child care
Toys Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.12(7)–(8); 290-2-3-.12(9)–(11) Centers · Family child care No toys that launch projectiles, and no balloons within reach of preschoolers.

Fire safety, drills and emergency plans

Written emergency plan covering evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place, lock-down and reunification Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.21(1)(p); 290-2-3-.11(2)(a) Centers · Family child care
Monthly fire drill and 6-monthly tornado and emergency drills logged, kept 2 years Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.21(3); 290-2-3-.11(2)(c) Centers · Family child care
Emergency numbers posted by the phone; stocked first aid kit in the building and each vehicle Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.25(10), (18); 591-1-1-.14(3); 290-2-3-.11(1)(e), (2)(b) Centers · Family child care

Medication

Signed medication authorization (2 weeks max) and dose log for each child receiving medicine Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.20 Centers
Written medication authorization and a record of every dose Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.11(1)(d) Family child care

Immunizations and health records

Immunization certificate or exemption on file within 30 days of enrollment Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.08(2); 290-2-3-.08(2) Centers · Family child care
DPH certificate, exemptions and required vaccines Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 511-2-2-.02, -.04, -.07 Centers · Family child care Every child entering child care must give a valid Georgia Certificate of Immunization.

Food and nutrition

Current week's dated menu posted; signed feeding plans for infants; menus kept 6 months Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.15(1)–(6); 290-2-3-.10 Centers · Family child care
No choking-hazard foods for children under 4; food cut to size Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.15(7); 290-2-3-.10(8) Centers · Family child care

Safe sleep

Infants placed on their backs in an empty crib; sleeping infants moved from seats and swings Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.30(2); 290-2-3-.19(2) Centers · Family child care
Safety-approved crib per infant; 24-inch aisles and 12 inches between cots Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.30(1); 290-2-3-.19(1) Centers · Family child care
Nap time and your safe sleep policy Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.03(12); 591-1-1-.21(1)(q) Centers Give children under 5 a supervised nap or rest period, but don't make a child who isn't sleeping lie down for more than 1 hour.

Discipline and guidance

Staff trained on the prohibited discipline list Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.11; 290-2-3-.11(3) Centers · Family child care
Written policies parents receive Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.21(1)(l), (r); 290-2-3-.08(8)(b) Centers · Family child care Your written policies must describe your behavior management and discipline practices, including suspension and expulsion, and how you prevent shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma for children up to age 5 …

Records

Complete file for every child, kept 1 year after the child leaves Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.08(1), (3)–(4); 290-2-3-.08(1)–(7) Centers · Family child care
Parent-signed policy acknowledgment in each child's file Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.21(2), (4) Centers
Personnel file with education, orientation and training records for each staff member Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.24; 290-2-3-.07(4) Centers · Family child care
Firearm, household, pet and insurance disclosures given to parents and acknowledged Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.08(8), (11)–(13) Family child care

Attendance and release of children

Parent-signed arrival and departure times for every child, kept 12 months, printable for DECAL Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.08(5)–(6) Centers
Parent-signed arrival and departure record for every child Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.08(9) Family child care
ID checked against the authorized pickup list before release Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.08(7); 290-2-3-.08(10) Centers · Family child care
Parents' right to visit Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.22; 290-2-3-.06 Centers · Family child care Custodial parents may visit every child care area at any time their child is there, unless a court has ordered otherwise.

Transportation and field trips

Passenger checklist completed for every trip; two signed walk-through checks of the vehicle Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.36(7)(c)–(d) Centers
Staff on board Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.36(5) Centers The driver must be 18 or older with the right license.
Transportation training current; annual vehicle safety check on file; parent transport authorization Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.36(3)–(4), (6), (8)–(13) Centers
Signed field trip permission; participant list and medical information left at the center Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.13 Centers
Family homes Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.11(2)(j)–(m) Family child care If you or your staff drive children, the driver needs a current license, every child must be in a seat belt or the right car seat, no child may be left alone in a vehicle, and each child's emergency medical…

Inspections and enforcement

Two unannounced visits a year DECAL Annual Regulatory Inspection Policy; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.37; 290-2-3-.05 Centers · Family child care Each year DECAL makes a full licensing study visit in one half of the year and a monitoring visit, focused on core rules and earlier citations, in the other half.
16 core rule categories DECAL Core Rules Centers · Family child care At every visit consultants check "core rules": the rules DECAL considers most important to children's health and safety, grouped in 16 categories, including background checks, diapering, discipline, furniture anchoring,…
Penalties Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.38(1)–(3); 290-2-3-.15(1)–(3) Centers · Family child care Citations earn points based on how often and how seriously you violate the rules.

Contesting a citation or sanction

Disputing a visit citation DECAL refutation process Centers · Family child care Raise a disagreement with the consultant during the visit if you can.
Adverse actions and hearings Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.38(4); 290-2-3-.15(4) Centers · Family child care You may send DECAL a written statement within 10 days of a notice of intent to take adverse action.
Waivers and variances Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.39; 290-2-3-.16 Centers · Family child care DECAL may grant a variance when following a rule exactly would cause undue hardship and children stay protected, a waiver when another approach gives equivalent protection, or an experimental waiver to try new…
What the public can see DECAL Enforcement Actions Centers · Family child care DECAL posts enforcement actions such as fines, restricted licenses, emergency orders, denials and revocations on its website.

Georgia daycare self-inspection checklist

Recent and upcoming changes (2025–2026)

Who needs a license, and what kind

Staff-to-child ratios

Group size and space

Director and staff qualifications

Background checks

Training, first aid and CPR

Supervision, health and safety

Facility, furniture, equipment and hazards

Fire safety, drills and emergency plans

Medication

Immunizations and health records

Food and nutrition

Safe sleep

Discipline and guidance

Records

Attendance and release of children

Transportation and field trips

Inspections and enforcement

Contesting a citation or sanction

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