A daycare license in Georgia is issued by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 8 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal via DECAL KOALA system. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →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 |
|---|---|
| Infants (0–12 months) | 1:6 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months, walking) | 1:8 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months, not walking) | 1:6 |
| 2 years | 1:10 |
| 3 years | 1:15 |
| 4 years | 1:18 |
| 5 years | 1:20 |
| School age (6+ years) | 1:25 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)'s rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: DECAL Child Care Licensing
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.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: DECAL Child Care Licensing
Exemption Policy
Medical exemptions (Form 3231 updated annually by physician) and religious exemptions (notarized Form 2208) are permitted.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: DECAL Child Care Licensing
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.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: DECAL Child Care Licensing
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.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: DECAL Child Care Licensing
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: DECAL Child Care Licensing
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the South Atlantic.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.