Georgia childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), branded as "Bright from the Start." All facilities providing care for 7 or more children must be licensed. Georgia uses the KOALA online system for licensing management and requires fingerprinting through the Georgia Cogent system with "Satisfactory" letter in file before any child contact.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0–12 months) | 1:6 | 12 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months, walking) | 1:8 | 16 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months, not walking) | 1:6 | 12 |
| 2 years | 1:10 | 20 |
| 3 years | 1:15 | 30 |
| 4 years | 1:18 | 36 |
| 5 years | 1:20 | 40 |
| School age (6+ years) | 1:25 | 50 |
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Form 3231 – Georgia Certificate of Immunization
Official Georgia immunization certificate required before first day of attendance.
Form 3227 – Student Health Record
Required for Pre-K and above. Student health record completed by healthcare provider.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Pickup Authorization
Signed list of all persons authorized to pick up the child.
Signed Parent Acknowledgment of Policies
Parent signature confirming receipt and review of facility policies.
Transportation AgreementConditional
Required if facility provides child transport.
Exemption Policy
Medical exemptions (Form 3231 updated annually by physician) and religious exemptions (notarized Form 2208) are permitted.
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
Fingerprint-based check through FBI and Georgia Cogent (GCIC) required. "Satisfactory" letter must be in file before any child contact.
Lead Teacher Education
Teacher of Record Credential (TCC) in ECE, Child Development Associate (CDA), or higher degree in related field.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED plus completion of DECAL-approved 10-hour pre-service orientation before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid required. Director plus at least 50% of staff on duty must be certified at all times.
Continuing Education
10 hours of annual professional development required for all staff.
Director Qualifications
Must be 21 years or older and meet lead teacher requirements. Must complete DECAL 40-hour director training program.
Inspection Frequency
At least 2 unannounced inspections per year.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal via DECAL KOALA system.
Application Process
Contact DECAL to begin the application process through the KOALA online portal. Includes background checks, orientation, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
$50–$250 depending on enrollment capacity.
See exactly what's missing for every child. Compliance checklists, automated parent reminders, phone document scanning. $99/month, unlimited staff.