How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in Georgia (2026)

Before licensure: family child care learning home providers need 20 hours of preservice training; center directors need 40 hours of director training.

Before licensure: family child care learning home providers need 20 hours of preservice training; center directors need 40 hours of director training.

Prior to licensure, a Family Child Care Learning Home (FCCLH) provider will need to obtain 20 hours pre-service training ... Prior to becoming licensed, the Child Care Learning Center (CCLC) director is required to complete a 40-hour director training.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

First aid and CPR are required before licensure for the home provider and center director; they do not count toward the 10 annual training hours.

First aid and CPR are required before licensure for the home provider and center director; they do not count toward the 10 annual training hours.

First Aid & CPR training are required prior to licensure for the CCLC director and the FCCLH director provider. Please note that first aid and CPR training do not count as part of the 10 hours of required annual training.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Paid programs operating less than 24 hours per day: family homes serve 3–6 children; child care learning centers serve 7 or more.

Paid programs operating less than 24 hours per day: family homes serve 3–6 children; child care learning centers serve 7 or more.

A Family Child Care Learning Home (FCCLH) is a child care program operated in a private home for less than 24 hours per day. It provides care for 3 to 6 children under age 18 and receives payment for those services. A Child Care Learning Center (CCLC) is a child care program that provides care for 7 or more children under age 18 for less than 24 hours per day and receives payment for those services.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Pay the annual license fee through the program's DECAL KOALA account to generate the next year's license.

Pay the annual license fee through the program's DECAL KOALA account to generate the next year's license.

The payment of the annual license fee will generate a new license for the upcoming year. License fee payments can be paid to the Department by using the child care program’s DECAL KOALA account.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (Bright from the Start)

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (Bright from the Start)

"Department" means Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.decal.ga.gov/ccs/StartingACenter.aspx

Starting a Child Care Program

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.decal.ga.gov/ccs/StartingACenter.aspx

All applications must be submitted online through DECAL KOALA.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

10 hours

10

thereafter, 10 hours of state approved training during each year of licensure. ... Following licensure, staff members are required to complete 10 hours of state approved training each year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

All Child Care Learning Centers and Family Child Care Learning Homes licenses expire at the end of the calendar year on December 31st.

All Child Care Learning Centers and Family Child Care Learning Homes licenses expire at the end of the calendar year on December 31st. Applies to: Child Care Learning Centers and Family Child Care Learning Homes

All Child Care Learning Centers and Family Child Care Learning Homes licenses expire at the end of the calendar year on December 31st. The payment of the annual license fee will generate a new license for the upcoming year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026