Child Care Centers & Group Home

The state licenses two types of child care centers: child care centers that care for more than 18 children and group homes that care for 7 to 18 children.  Both must meet the minimum standards that the state has set for health and safety. State standards for child care centers help protect children from serious harm, such as fire, accidents, child abuse, or outbreaks of infectious disease. 

Centers that are a part of an established religious congregation or a religious school may be exempt from licensing and may not be monitored regularly by the state. Inquire about their licensing exemption letter.

Family Child Care Homes (or In-home Child Care)

This is state registered care provided in the caregiver’s home for 3 children, but no more than 6 children under the age of 18 for pay.  The state requires 20 hours of pre-service training, which includes CPR and First Aid, Registration Orientation Meeting for health and safety policies, and a finger print check. An additional 10 "clock" hours of approved and recommended training is required annually.  State surveyors routinely visit all registered providers biannually. They also visit any home immediately if they receive a complaint.

Georgia Pre-K

The Georgia Pre-K program is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education. Children four years of age on September 1 of the current school year whose parents are Georgia residents are eligible. Participation in the program is voluntary (NO COST) for both families and communities. Parents wishing to enroll their children may call their local public school system or local child care learning centers for information and enrollment requirements. Pre-K programs typically operate on the regular school system calendar for the length of a regular school day.

Head Start and Early Head Start

Head Start (3 to 4-year olds) and Early Head Start (Birth to 3-years olds) are comprehensive child development programs that serve children from birth to five, pregnant women, and their families.   They are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families. Children participate in a variety of educational activities, receive free medical and dental care, have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing indoors and outdoors in a safe setting. These programs are under the governance of the federal government not the state.

Half-Day Preschool

This is care for children four hours a day or less.  These programs are exempt and not required to be licensed by the state of Georgia. Please inquire about their ratios, group sizes, teacher qualifications and their licensing exemption letter.

School-Age Programs (Before and after school programs)

As your child moves into elementary school, you may find that you need school-age care to fill the gaps between your child's school hours and your work hours.  School age care settings include schools, community agencies and centers, child care centers, family child care homes, religious institutions, summer camp facilities, and, of course, your own home.  Programs may be licensed, exempt or under the governance of the Department of Education.

Au Pair and Nanny Agencies

These agencies offer placements for caregivers in the child’s home.  Inquire about the agency’s policies, procedures and requirements regarding screening and training caregivers. This type of care is unregulated and is not monitored by the State of Georgia. Quality Care does not provide referrals for this type of care but can provide a listing of agencies. Call 877-255-42554.

Respite Care and Backup Care

Respite care is usually offered by family child care providers (but not always). It is for short-term occasional care, generally for children with disabilities. Even the best planned child care arrangements can be disrupted from time to time.  Without emergency care, more commonly known as "backup care," working parents may be forced to stay home or bring their child to work with them. Child care centers and family child care providers occasionally will offer short term or back up care. However, this type of care does not usually include sick care.

Alternative Child Care

This refers to unregulated (informal) caregivers who may be a relative, friend, neighbor, or babysitter. An informal provider may care for a limit of 2 children without registering with the state. Quality Care does not provide referrals for this type of care.

Summer Camps

This is seasonal care offering a variety of options. Camps can be sponsored by school-based programs, parks & recreation, churches, youth service agencies, family child care homes, specialty camps, licensed child care centers, etc. Many programs follow licensure and/or accreditation policies that support health and safety standards along with a wide variety of activities; however, summer camps are exempt from state licensing. Inquire about their licensing exemption letter.