Applicant’s Guide to Licensing for Child Care Learning Centers Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SE Suite 670, East Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404-657-5562 www.decal.ga.gov Revised June 2021 Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................... 5 Steps For Successful Application ................................................................................. 6 Application Definitions .................................................................................................. 8 License Application Part A ........................................................................................... 9 License Application Part A ......................................................................................... 10 Instructions for Completing License Application Part A .............................................. 14 Affidavit For Lawful Presence Verification .................................................................. 16 Frequently Asked Questions for Lawful Presence Verification ................................... 17 Formal Partnership Requirements ............................................................................. 19 Application Part A Checklist ....................................................................................... 20 Background Checks.................................................................................................... 21 Background Check Guidelines ................................................................................... 22 Physical Plant Requirements ..................................................................................... 23 Sample Floor Plan...................................................................................................... 24 Licensed Capacity Requirements .............................................................................. 25 Example ..................................................................................................................... 26 Window Space Requirements .................................................................................... 27 Staff:Child Ratios ....................................................................................................... 28 Mixed-Age Groups For Child Care Learning Centers................................................. 29 Diaper Changing Areas .............................................................................................. 30 Storage Space/Bathrooms ......................................................................................... 31 Kitchen/Laundry/Building Safety and Repair .............................................................. 32 Floor Plan Checklist ................................................................................................... 33 Site Requirements ....................................................................................................... 38 Sample Site Plan........................................................................................................ 39 Playground Area Rules .............................................................................................. 40 Playground Size ......................................................................................................... 41 Ground Covering ........................................................................................................ 42 Fencing ...................................................................................................................... 43 Play Equipment and Surfaces .................................................................................... 44 Fall Zones .................................................................................................................. 45 Resilient Surfacing ..................................................................................................... 46 Playground Maintenance Checklist ............................................................................ 47 Site Plan Records ...................................................................................................... 49 Site Plan Checklist ..................................................................................................... 50 Plans, Policies, Procedures & Checklists ................................................................. 52 Definitions .................................................................................................................. 53 Page - 2 Georgia Dept of Early Care and Learning Revised 5/2020 Guidelines for Creating Policies & Procedures .......................................................... 54 Personnel Policies...................................................................................................... 56 Employee Files .......................................................................................................... 57 Children’s Files .......................................................................................................... 58 Schedules .................................................................................................................. 59 Weekly Menu ............................................................................................................. 60 Emergency Plans ....................................................................................................... 61 Transportation ............................................................................................................ 62 Operation Plan Checklist ............................................................................................ 63 Forms ........................................................................................................................... 64 Forms & Checklists .................................................................................................... 65 Staff Forms ................................................................................................................ 66 Children’s Records ..................................................................................................... 68 Policies and Procedures Manuals .............................................................................. 72 Policies and Procedures Manuals Checklist .............................................................. 73 Staff Policies Handbook ............................................................................................. 75 Staff Policies Handbook Checklist.............................................................................. 76 Schedules, Lesson Plans, and Menus ....................................................................... 77 Schedules, Lesson Plans, and Menus Checklists ...................................................... 78 Emergency Plans ....................................................................................................... 79 Emergency Plans Checklist ....................................................................................... 80 License Application Part B ......................................................................................... 81 License Application Part B Checklist .......................................................................... 82 License Application Part B ......................................................................................... 83 License Fees .............................................................................................................. 86 Staff Profile Form ....................................................................................................... 87 Sample Forms ............................................................................................................. 88 Sample Forms Directory ............................................................................................. 89 Sample Staff Forms..................................................................................................... 90 Staff Application ......................................................................................................... 91 10-Year Employment History ..................................................................................... 92 10-Year Employment History ..................................................................................... 93 Documentation of Center Orientation ......................................................................... 94 Daily Staff Attendance Record ................................................................................... 95 Additional Staff Policies & Procedures ....................................................................... 96 Sample Children’s Record Forms .............................................................................. 97 Sample Children’s Enrollment Form ........................................................................... 98 Emergency Medical Authorization ............................................................................ 100 Parental Agreement with Child Care Facility ............................................................ 101 Page - 3 Georgia Dept of Early Care and Learning Revised 5/2020 Safe Sleep Practices Policy ..................................................................................... 102 Medication Authorization .........................................................................................