Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Atlanta, GA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees, operate as a corporation, or a multi-member LLC. A single-member LLC with no employees can generally use the owner's SSN instead of an EIN, though many banks require one to open a business account; corporations, multi-member LLCs, and any business with employees do need one. Also commonly needed for accepting Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy payments. Free to obtain from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Georgia DECAL — Family Child Care Learning Home (FCCLH) License

   Required to operate a Family Child Care Learning Home in Georgia serving 3–6 children not related to the provider. Licensed by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). Requirements include: FCCLH licensing orientation, at least 10 hours of pre-service training across five workforce-knowledge topic areas, CPR/First Aid certification, one of several required education credentials (CDA, Technical Certificate/Diploma in Early Childhood Education, or Paraprofessional Certificate), background checks (GBI/FBI) for household members 17+, and a home licensing visit. Annual license renewal required.

   Official government source

   Annual license fee is capacity-tiered (e.g., $50/year for a facility capacity of 25 children or fewer); contact DECAL for the application fee.·6–12 weeks from application to license

   Annual license fee is capacity-tiered (e.g., $50/year for a facility capacity of 25 children or fewer); contact DECAL for the application fee.

   6–12 weeks from application to license

2. Georgia DECAL - Child Care Learning Center License (7 or more children)

   Georgia DECAL no longer licenses a separate "Group Day Care Home" category. DECAL recognizes two program types: a Family Child Care Learning Home, which serves 3 to 6 children under 18 in a private residence, and a Child Care Learning Center, which serves 7 or more children under 18. A program caring for 7 or more children - including one operated out of a home - must be licensed as a Child Care Learning Center under DECAL's Child Care Learning Centers Rules and Regulations. The director must attend a Licensure Orientation Meeting before licensure.

   Official government source

   Annual license fee is tiered by licensed capacity: $50 for 25 children or fewer, $100 for 26-50, $150 for 51-100, $200 for 101-200, and $250 for over 200. A late fee equal to half the license fee applies if payment is made after December 31.·DECAL states a minimum of 60 days to process a Child Care Learning Center application

   Annual license fee is tiered by licensed capacity: $50 for 25 children or fewer, $100 for 26-50, $150 for 51-100, $200 for 101-200, and $250 for over 200. A late fee equal to half the license fee applies if payment is made after December 31.

   DECAL states a minimum of 60 days to process a Child Care Learning Center application

3. Background Check (GBI + FBI Fingerprinting)

   All household members age 17+ and any employee must submit fingerprints for a background check administered by Georgia DECAL. DECAL states it currently pays the cost of fingerprinting for child care employees (subject to continued funding), so this is typically at no direct cost to the applicant — confirm current policy with DECAL. Background checks must clear disqualifying-crimes criteria per DECAL's Criminal Records Check program; checks are valid for one year (or up to five years at the same location).

   Official government source

   Typically no direct cost — DECAL currently covers fingerprinting fees for child care employees (confirm current policy)·2–4 weeks

   Typically no direct cost — DECAL currently covers fingerprinting fees for child care employees (confirm current policy)

   2–4 weeks

4. Pre-Service and Health & Safety Orientation Training (DECAL)

   Georgia DECAL requires training both before and shortly after licensure. Family Child Care Learning Home providers must hold a qualifying education credential and complete 20 hours of pre-service training -- including a Licensure Orientation Meeting (LOM) -- before applying for a license. Child Care Learning Center directors must hold a qualifying credential and attend an LOM before licensure. Separately, directors, providers, and all staff with direct-care duties must complete at least 10 hours of state-approved Health and Safety Orientation training within the first 90 days of licensure or employment, and 10 hours of annual training thereafter.

   Official government source

   $0–$100·20 hours pre-service before license issuance; 10-hour Health & Safety Orientation within the first 90 days

   $0–$100

   20 hours pre-service before license issuance; 10-hour Health & Safety Orientation within the first 90 days

5. CPR and First Aid Certification

   Pediatric (infant/child) CPR and First Aid certification is required for the provider/director and for all employees and provisional employees with direct-care responsibilities. Certification must be successfully completed within 45 days of employment and kept current and valid, and at least one staff member with current certification must always be present in each child care area where children are present.

   Official government source

   Cost varies by training provider; confirm current pricing·Varies by provider; confirm current scheduling with a certified training provider

   Cost varies by training provider; confirm current pricing

   Varies by provider; confirm current scheduling with a certified training provider

1. City of Atlanta Zoning — Home-Based Child Care

   A home-based child care program in Atlanta serving 3 to 6 children must be licensed by Georgia DECAL as a Family Child Care Learning Home and must hold a City of Atlanta Occupational Tax Certificate. Zoning treatment of a family day care home varies by district, so verify your specific address with the Department of City Planning's Office of Zoning & Development before signing a lease or enrolling children - do not assume a residential zone permits it by right.

   Official government source

   No separate zoning application fee for confirming your address; a Zoning Verification Letter or Special Use Permit, if the Office of Zoning & Development determines one is needed, carries its own fee.·Confirm zoning before applying for the DECAL license and the city business license.

   No separate zoning application fee for confirming your address; a Zoning Verification Letter or Special Use Permit, if the Office of Zoning & Development determines one is needed, carries its own fee.

   Confirm zoning before applying for the DECAL license and the city business license.

2. City of Atlanta Business License

   All businesses operating within Atlanta city limits must obtain a business license from the Atlanta Office of Revenue. Apply online through the Atlanta permitting portal.

   Official government source

   For tax year 2026: $191 annual registration fee + $50 flat tax + $25 per employee (first employee exempt) + a gross-receipts tax of (gross receipts - $10,000) / $1,000 x the NAICS tax-class rate. The registration fee was $75 for tax year 2025 and prior. Source: Atlanta Municipal Code Sec. 30-62 / Office of Revenue fee page.·1–3 weeks

   For tax year 2026: $191 annual registration fee + $50 flat tax + $25 per employee (first employee exempt) + a gross-receipts tax of (gross receipts - $10,000) / $1,000 x the NAICS tax-class rate. The registration fee was $75 for tax year 2025 and prior. Source: Atlanta Municipal Code Sec. 30-62 / Office of Revenue fee page.

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• Georgia DECAL — Apply for a License
• Georgia DECAL — Background Checks
• City of Atlanta — Business License

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