Understanding the Types of Childcare in SC

In your quest for quality child care, don’t forget that all child care centers are not created equal. In South Carolina, the Department of Social Services (DSS) is the regulatory agency for child care facilities. This agency is responsible for ensuring that minimum standards are met. DSS issues a license or registration to child care facilities that meet those standards. Below is a summary of some of the more significant regulations, for more details visit www.state.sc.us/dss/childcare .

DSS recognizes four types of child care (Note: child care centers that operate four or fewer hours per day are exempt from licensure)

1. Family Child Care Home (FCCH) – FCCH may provide care for up to six (6) children at any given time. Registration or licensure is required if a person provides care to more than one unrelated family of children on a regular basis (more than two days a week and more than four hours a day).

2. Group Child Care Home (GCCH) – GCCH applies to facilities operating with a capacity from seven (7) to twelve (12) children, and may care for (8) children without an additional caregiver. When the attendance reaches nine or there are more than three children under the age of 24 months, an additional caregiver must be present at all times. In addition, an emergency backup person not included in the staff to child ratio must be available. A GCCH must be located in the residence of the operator.

3. Child Care Center (CCC) – CCC applies to facilities operating with a capacity of 13 or more children. The center must be approved or licensed (definitions listed below) if the program operates more than four hours a day and more than two days a week. Programs that operate less than four hours a day may keep children during school vacations and holidays and may be exempt from licensing.

4. CCC or GCCH Sponsored by a Religious Entity – These centers may choose to be licensed or registered. (see below)

Registered, Licensed, and Approved Child Care
DSS can assign one of the three types of operating titles to child care facilities. They are as follows:

Registered – The child care facility must meet certain basic DSS regulations as required by DSS. The requirements include: Fire Inspection, Health/Sanitation Inspection, State and Federal fingerprint checks, CPR/First Aid certification, and Zoning Approval.

Licensed – The child care facility receives a written notice from DSS approving the commencement of operations. The requirements include: Management, Administration, Staffing, Supervision, Health, Sanitation, Safety, Physical Site, and Meal Requirements

Approved – Applies to child care facilities that are publicly funded with federal, state, county, or city money. They must meet the same requirements as a licensed child care facility.

For more information about the specific requirements and regulations - see DSS's Guide to Key Regulations.

Advocates for Better Care (ABC)
South Carolina parents who meet established income guidelines may be eligible for assistance with the cost of their child care through the ABC Child Care Program. Income eligible parents must be working, in school, or in a training program. Some ABC approved providers choose to become "Enhanced" providers. These providers voluntarily choose to meet higher standards than the state's regulatory requirements.

Parents participating in the ABC Child Care Program may choose who they want to provide their care. The program offers parents a variety of choices for receiving child care services and makes child care more affordable. For more information call 1-800-476-0199.

Contributing Authors - Carolyn Gibson and Barbara Manoski, Spartanburg County First Steps


NOTE: This post is intended as information only. It is NOT the intention of this blog or the people or organizations posting on it or hosting it to replace medical or other healthcare advice, common sense, or good judgment but to serve as one resource for helping Spartanburg County parents make informed decisions about their young children.