Qualifications: Staff: Must be at least 18 years old and able to read and write. Must have a high school diploma or GED and at least 6 months experience as a caregiver in a licensed/approved facility and complete 6 hours of training in child growth and development/early childhood education within 6 months of hiring.
Provider/Child Ratio:
| Age Range | Ratios for Center Based Care in South Carolina |
| Infants | (1:6) |
| 1 - 2 years | (1:6) |
| 2 - 3 years | (1:10) |
| 3 - 4 years | (1:13) |
| 4 - 5 years | (1:18) |
| 5 - 6 years | (1:21) |
| 6 - 12 years | (1:23) |
| Mixed age groups | as indicated |
| Age Range | Ratios for Family Child Care in South Carolina |
| All ages |
(1:6) includes family members under age 12 |
Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
South Carolina Department of Social Services
Child Care Licensing
2638 Two Notch Road, Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29204
Phone: (803) 898-9020
Fax: (803) 898-9029
Child Care Subsidy Agency
South Carolina Department of Social Services
Division of Child Care Services
P.O. Box 1520
Columbia, SC 29202-1520
Phone: (803) 898-2570
Toll Free: (800) 476-0199 (within-state)
Fax: (803) 898-7625
Head Start - State Collaboration Office
South Carolina Department of Social Services
1535 Confederate Avenue, 3rd Floor
Columbia, SC, 29201
Phone: (803) 898-2550
Fax: (803) 898-4458
Child Care Food Program Agency
South Carolina Department of Social Services
1535 Confederate Avenue
Post Office Box 1520
Columbia, South Carolina 29202
Phone: (803) 898-0958
Fax: (803) 898-0960
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
South Carolina Child Care Resource & Referral Network
2711 Middleburg Drive
Columbia, SC 20205
Phone: (803) 360-6869
Fax: (803) 799-1571
Office of Child Support Enforcement
Child Support Enforcement Division, Department of Social Services
P.O.Box 1469
Columbia, South Carolina 29202-1469
Phone: (803) 898-9210
Fax: (803) 898-9201
Toll-Free: (800) 768-5858