Registered Family Day Care

Definition:

South Dakota law defines a Family Day Care Home as providing care and supervision of children from more than one unrelated family, in a family home, on a regular basis for part of a day as a supplement to regular parental care, without transfer of legal custody or placement for adoption. A family day care home may not be registered for care and supervision of more than 12 children at any one time including children under the age of six who are living in the home.

• Family day care is a service provided in the provider's home.
• Family day care providers are registered rather than licensed.
• Registration is a voluntary process where the applicants declare their intent to provide family day care and agree to comply with standards that have been established by the Department of Social Services.
• A registration certificate is in effect for two years.
• Registration is legally mandated when a provider receives compensation from public funds.
• Providers who are not receiving reimbursement from public funds and caring for 12 or fewer children can choose whether they want to be registered or not.
• A registered family day care provider must be at least 18 years old.

Health and Safety Regulatory Requirements met by a registered family day care provider:

• Administrative Rules of South Dakota (ARSD) 67:42:03 - Family Day Care Homes  
• ARSD 67:42:16 - Scope of Services for Child Care Programs
• South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) Chapter 26-6 - Children’s Homes and Welfare Agencies
• Family Day Care Handbook

Monitoring and Inspections  

Sample Monitoring Form

Background Checks Required 

Email a request for more information or to obtain a packet to start the registration process  link to CCS email address

Call a licensing specialist for more information or to obtain a packet to start the registration process.