Exemption Categories (2/2/05)

The following information is provided to help you determine if your child care program might be exempt and the requirements necessary for a program to apply for an exemption.

Exemptions apply only to child care programs subject to licensure as a Child Care Learning Center or Group Day Care Home.

1. Specialized day care centers that are qualified to furnish care and training to mentally handicapped individuals and have been granted a certificate of approval by the department as provided for in O.C.G.A. Sec. 37-6-6.

2. Programs for children five (5) years and older which operate solely for educational purpose with an established curriculum during the school term for the customary seven (7) hour school day.

3. A facility operated by a local school on school board property for children five (5) years and older before and after the customary seven (7) hour day during the regular school term.

4. Nursery school, playschools, kindergartens or other educational programs for children two (2) years through six (6) years of age which operate for no more than four (4) consecutive hours per day.

5. Mother’s Morning Out or similar programs which operate for no more than four (4) consecutive hours per day for no more than two (2) days per week or which limit attendance to no more than eight (8) hours per week per child.

6. Any short-term baby-sitting service provided by an establishment, e.g., church, health club, bowling lanes, etc., in its premises to children for the convenience of their parents who are participating in activities being provided by the establishment. No child shall be permitted to remain in the establishment’s baby sitting facility for more than four (4) hours per day and eight (8) hours per week. This exemption does not apply to programs operated by an organization for its employees or registered students.

7. Drop-in recreation programs where the children are free to come and go from the premises without being escorted by a parent or responsible person and short-term education programs or classes for children in which the supervision and care of the children are incidental to their participating in the activity or training in specific subject(s) such as music, dance, religion, etc. and the program provider is not assuming responsibility for the provision of daily child care outside the scheduled program.

8. Day camping programs for children five (5) years and older which have as the primary emphasis outdoor education and recreation and are operated between school terms for no more than seven (7) hours per day or which are accredited by the American Camping Association or other national standard-setting agency or church camp accreditation programs which must provide standards equivalent to the American Camping Association standards.

9. Child welfare agencies and other facilities and institutions wherein children and youths are detained which are operated by any department, or agency of state, county, or municipal government.