Child Care Services

Child Care Services provides assistance to low income families who need help with child care costs while parents work or attend school. They also provide oversight, technical assistance and support in promoting safe, healthy and caring environments for children through licensing, registration and quality improvement activities. The availability of quality child care is not only important for maintaining a strong workforce; it is vital for the growth and development of healthy children.

Child Care Services provides:

• Child care facility development in response to local community needs
• Direct child care assistance payments for qualifying families
• Training and technical assistance for child care and afterschool programs
• Licensing and registration of child care and afterschool programs
• An online listing of South Dakota's registered and licensed child care providers.

Child care provider, parent or consumer information

South Dakota Child Care Expansion & Startup Grants

The Expansion and Startup grants have been offered on a first come, first serve basis. All completed applications have been received. To ensure there will be funds available, DSS has discontinued receiving any new applications at this time.

For further details about information on this grant opportunity, please visit https://sddss.force.com/ChildCareStartUps.

South Dakota Family Day Care Transition Grants

The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law in March 2021, providing South Dakota with additional funds designed to create a stronger child care system and industry allowing parents equal access to high quality child care. Any existing family day care provider (not registered with the State) working with the SD Department of Social Services to meet minimum health and safety requirements and become a state registered provider is eligible for this program.

For more information on this grant opportunity, please visit FDC Transition Grant Opportunity

Infant/Toddler Grant Opportunity:

The Department of Social Services,Child Care Services (CCS) provides grant opportunities focused on enhancing infant and toddler care environments.

Funding is intended to help with the purchase of high-quality items in supporting the development of infants and toddlers in your licensed child care program.  This includes indoor and outdoor equipment or manipulatives such as child-size tables and chairs, safe places to crawl and climb; etc.

Grant awards are contingent upon available funding and whether the request meets the grant criteria, see attached suggestions.  We encourage you to reach out to your regional Early Childhood Enrichment (ECE) office to assist with selection of items that optimize infant and toddler development within your program.  

Required Documents for this Infant/Toddler Grant Application include:

• Child Care Center
• Family Child Care

Expired Grant Information

• Review ARPA Child Care Stabilization Grant page for more information