Program Types

• Child Care Learning Center (CCLC) is operated by a person, corporation, or institution to provide child care for children less than 18 years of age for less than 24 hours per day. Child Care Learning Centers are licensed for 7 or more children.
• Family Child Care Learning Home (FCCLH) is operated in a private residential home to provide child care for children less than 18 years of age for less than 24 hours per day. Family Child Care Learning Homes care for 3, but no more than 6 children for a fee.
• Exempt Programs: A child care program is designated exempt if the program 1. Provides a type of child care not required to be licensed or to follow child care learning center rules; 2. Meets certain other criteria for exemption; and 3. Has received an exemption approval from DECAL. Examples of programs that may be exempt include, but are not limited to, some day camps, government-owned and operated programs, parent’s morning out programs, four-hour preschools, and child care provided at a health club. Only exemption-approved day camps and government-owned and operated programs are eligible to receive CAPS payments. More information about exempt programs and exemption criteria is available at https://www.decal.ga.gov/ChildCareServices/Exemptions.aspx.
• Other includes government-funded early care and education programs such as those operated by universities and technical colleges; military child care programs operated by the Department of Defense; some Early Head Start and Head Start programs; and early learning and development programs funded by Part B or C of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) or under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

ASU Guide to Program Statuses

• Open - A program has been granted permission to operate by DECAL to operate a Family Child Care Learning Home or Child Care Learning Home at a specific address.
• Revocation Pending - The notice of revocation (closure action) for a licensed program, was issued for a License or Permit and becomes effective thirty (30) days from the day of notice unless the License Holder or Permit Holder requests a hearing. A request for a hearing must be made in writing within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice of revocation, suspension or restriction.
• Temporary License - The Department may at its discretion issue a temporary License if the health and safety of the children to be served by the Center will not be endangered. A temporary License will be valid for a specified period not to exceed one (1) year and may be issued when the Center is not in full compliance with these rules but has demonstrated satisfactory evidence that it is making progress toward meeting these rules and has submitted an acceptable Plan of Correction.
• Issuance of a Permit - "Permit" means the temporary document issued by the Department authorizing a Child Care Learning Center to operate without a License for a limited term and in accordance with these rules The Permit shall be valid for 21 calendar days unless voluntarily surrendered by the Holder or suspended or revoked by the Department.

Guide to Quality Rated Stars

Any program with a star rating participates in Georgia’s Quality Rated program and has agreed to meet standards that exceed the licensing requirements. While any rated program is of higher quality, the stars mean:

• One star - Program has demonstrated a commitment to meeting standards that exceed state health and safety requirements, meets several quality benchmarks, and scores sufficiently on the independent observation.
• Two stars - Program has demonstrated a commitment to meeting standards that exceed state health and safety requirements, meets many quality benchmarks, and scores well on the independent observation.
• Three stars - Program has demonstrated a commitment to meeting standards that exceed state health and safety requirements, meets numerous quality benchmarks, and scores high on the independent observation.