Child Care
Child Care Licensing provides oversight, technical assistance, and support in promoting safe, healthy, and caring environments for children through licensing, registration, and quality improvement activities.
If you want to learn more about Child Care, visit the Department of Social Services website below.
- ARSD associated with Child Care: 67:42:17
- Child Care Assistance: Child Care Assistance (sd.gov)
- Licensing Districts: Licensing Districts (sd.gov)
- Provider Forms: Child Care Provider Forms (sd.gov)
Child Care Programs
There are four different categories of child care programs. Click on each one below to learn more.
Informal or in-home providers care for one family’s child(ren) either in their own home or in the child(ren)’s home. These providers are eligible to receive child care assistance payments and meet minimum standards set by the federal government.
Providers who care for children in their own home as a business. SD State law allows up to 12 children in care. Providers meet minimum standards set by both the federal and state government.
Licensed child care programs provide care for 13 or more children typically in a location outside a residential home. Child Care programs are required to be licensed by the Department of Social Services and meet minimum standards set by both federal and state government.
School Age programs care for school age children before and after school hours and during the summer months. School Age programs are required to be licensed by the Department of Social Services and meet minimum standards set by both federal and state government.