The state expects you to provide indoor and outdoor play space and activities.
If you operate a children's day care in your Georgia residence, you must apply for a registration certificate from the state's child care licensing agency, Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. In addition, you must meet education and training requirements. Your home will be subject to inspection, and both your residence and operational procedures must comply with state requirements.
Registration
Additional requirements, including lifeguard certification, can come into play if children are around pools or other bodies of water.
Georgia requires providers caring for three or more children for pay in a private residence to register with the state as a family day care provider. Providers must be at least 21 years of age. Your application for registration must include verification of your required training and educational standing, and satisfactory criminal background checks for you and others in your home. The state's child care registering department, Bright from the Start, oversees the application and registration process. Located in downtown Atlanta, the department also helps fund regional Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCRRA) throughout Georgia that can assist you in meeting certain application requirements, such as training needs. Once you have forwarded your registration application and its supporting documents, the department may visit your home to ensure it meets all necessary parameters.
Training and Education
Be prepared to show evidence of necessary educational certification or degree.
In 2009, the state of Georgia mandated that all in-home, day-care providers undergo 20 hours of state-approved training prior to opening for business. You must begin the training portion of your application by attending a registration orientation meeting. Your area CCRRA will assist you with approved pre-service training. In addition to orientation, you will need to receive certification in first aid and CPR. Your remaining hours of pre-service training will focus on early childhood development and business management topics. In addition, the state requires you to meet one of several formal educational requirements. Options include attaining your Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials, or obtaining a certificate or degree in early childhood education from a college or university. Once you have successfully registered your day care business, you have to meet continuing education requirements of at least 10 hours on an annual basis.
Operational Requirements
The state day care registering authority will want to know you are providing healthy, age-appropriate food.
The state's Bright from the Start department may inspect your home before granting you registration, and at any point afterward during business hours. In addition to building and grounds, the inspecting personnel will want to see the children and your records. Expect them to review various aspects of your operation, such as your nutrition plan or safety procedures. You must have no more than 12 children in the household who are under 13 years old, including your own children and their friends. Your home must allow for a minimum of 35 square feet per child. You must employ an additional caretaker of 16 years or older if any of the following conditions exist: you care for more than three children younger than 1 year old, you care for more than six children younger than 3 years or you care for more than eight children under the age 5.
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