General
We added more screens under Facility Update where you can enter detailed information about your program(s) for public display. Quality Rated
programs can also upload a logo and pictures. The options on the screen were rearranged for you to have easy access to both the new screens and the
existing functions, such as License Fee, Background Checks, Enforcement Actions, and License Certificates.
Family child care learning home providers have a director/administrator account with access to all functions. Individual and
corporate owners of only one facility have the option of creating an owner account in addition to the director/administrator
account. Owners of only one facility that are partners, boards or associations will only have a director account.
Individual and corporate owners of only one facility have the option of creating an owner account. Owners of multiple centers
have an owner account through which they can view and update the information for all of their programs rather than logging in
to each program separately.
Inspection reports are documents created by a DECAL licensing consultant when she/he visits a child care facility. Types of
these reports, which include the findings from the visit, include a Licensing Study, Monitoring Visit, Plan of Improvement (POI)
Follow-up Visit, or Complaint or Incident Investigation. The last five years of inspection reports will be available in DECAL KOALA.
Enforcement Actions are penalties issued to a provider that are allowed or mandated by state licensing rules and/or Georgia laws. An
Enforcement Action may be taken when DECAL determines that serious or continued noncompliance exists or that the provider does not
comply with a specific rule or law. Types of Enforcement Actions include an Enforcement Fine, License Restriction, Revocation,
Revocation for non-payment of license fee, Consent Agreement, and Emergency Closure. All types of enforcement actions are
available for viewing in DECAL KOALA and in the search for open programs -
http://families.decal.ga.gov.
Yes, nine development phases were planned for DECAL KOALA, and more functions will be added with the completion of each phase. We
will notify you as each phase is completed and will also post updates in DECAL KOALA.
You can send feedback and suggestions to
decalkoala@decal.ga.gov.
Facility Update
You can only change the information that does not require an amendment or new application.
Note: Owners can update facility information by clicking the
icon for that facility from the home page in the owner account.
You can check or uncheck applicable boxes and remove, enter, or change information in text fields. Certain information for
programs with Georgia’s Pre-K must be changed in PANDA and other information requires a license amendment to change. Those
areas are grayed out and cannot be changed in DECAL KOALA. Always remember to click Save at the bottom of each page to save
changes before going to another page.
Consumer information refers to all of the information available to the public when they search for child care. You can log in and
change or add program information yourself or the call center at Quality Care for Children, a Resource and Referral agency, will
contact you to update it. The Consumer Information e-mail and phone are for the person best able to provide current information to the call center.
As a licensed provider your classrooms are measured to determine how many children can be in each room and the building is given
a total license capacity. You may choose to enroll fewer children than the total license capacity. For instance, your program may
have a measured capacity of 100 children, but you choose to enroll only a total of 80 children. Your desired capacity would be 80 children.
Programs that are
Quality Rated can upload a logo and pictures to DECAL KOALA that will be displayed in the public search. If
your program is Quality Rated and you cannot upload a logo and/or pictures, email
decalkoala@decal.ga.gov for assistance.
- Save the picture(s) to your computer.
- In DECAL KOALA, go to Facility Update and then to Logo and Photos. Select Add more Photos and then select Browse.
- Select the picture you want to upload and click Open. Then enter a Caption and click Upload Photo.
- Choose the picture(s) you want to submit for review and select Submit for Review.
Call center staff will review pictures only to verify the
Content Guidelines have been met.
Content Guidelines:
- Can not contain children.
- Can not contain licensing violations (alcohol, drugs, wine glasses etc.)
- Can not contain parents.
- Can not contain videos.
- Must be of the licensed facility location, no field trips or public location.
This means that a delivery failure notice was received when a recent e-mail was sent to the address(es) listed. You must update the
Primary E-mail Address and may update or remove any secondary e-mail addresses.
First, verify that the new director meets the credential requirements, which can be found in Rule 591-1-1-.31(1)(b)z.(i-xiii) of the Bright from
the Start Rules for Child Care Learning Centers.
Then, select Facility Update edit the director name and contact information, and Save. On the
Director Comprehensive Background Check Verification page, enter the date of birth and last four digits of the Social Security Number
for the new director. A director must have a satisfactory fingerprint comprehensive background check determination from DECAL before beginning
work. If a satisfactory comprehensive background check is NOT on file for the new director, your licensing consultant will be notified by e-mail.
Note: Any employee without a satisfactory comprehensive background check is not permitted on the premises while children are present.
You should take immediate action because any employee without a satisfactory comprehensive background check is not permitted on the premises
while children are present.
Go to http://decal.ga.gov/CCS/CriminalRecordsCheck.aspx
for Livescan fingerprint instructions and information about comprehensive background check requirements. Contact
your licensing consultant or call 404-657-5562 to speak to an intake consultant if you have questions.
For Directors:
If you are not a Georgia’s Pre-K provider, log in to DECAL KOALA, go to Facility Update page (or Contact Information) and update the e-mail address.
If you are a Georgia’s Pre-K provider, update the site e-mail address in PANDA and this will update the facility e-mail address
in DECAL KOALA the next day.
For Owners:
You can change the Owner e-mail address on the Update Contact Information page.
To change the primary, or a secondary e-mail address for a facility, go to Contact Information page, where you can update e-mail addresses.
Any information you currently update in PANDA, you should continue to update in PANDA, and the changes will automatically appear in DECAL KOALA
the next day. You can update any additional information on the Facility Update page in DECAL KOALA.
You can edit (delete or correct) the information on the Facility Update page by following the process explained in the FAQs above.
Required Reporting
No, you can start the report, save it, and reopen it to add information; however, the report must be submitted
within 24 hours of the incident or the next business day following the incident. You will have additional time to upload
documents that are requested by a consultant.
Click on Add Child to enter information for each child. You will also be able to add information for the parents or guardians of
each child you add. If many of the children in the facility were affected, such as for an evacuation, you can explain in the Summary.
Use your best professional judgement. It can be changed later in the process after more information is obtained if the information
indicates another response would be more appropriate.
No, the electronic report replaced the paper form for DECAL. If you would like to continue to use it internally at your
program, you are welcome to do so, but you should not upload it with your electronic report.
Sometimes it may be appropriate to select "No body part” or “Other”.
Enter the information for the person who was responsible for the child at the time of the accident/incident or who first realized
the child was ill and enter the information for the primary person who provided first aid.
Complete as much information as you know and Submit the report within 24 hours of the incident or the next business day. If
any of the mandatory fields are not completed when you Submit the report, you will see a light red message letting you know which
fields you still need to complete.
Those items are general descriptions and we are looking for more specific symptoms. For instance, a child has an allergic
reaction to an insect sting and their arm is red and itchy. "Allergic reaction" could be anything from hives to trouble
breathing, so you would choose "Skin irritation" because that is the actual symptom the child displays.
Required Reporting: Annual Report/Inspection
Beginning May 4, 2020, all licensed, open programs that have not had a licensing study for the
2019-2020 fiscal year, have the ability to upload requested information and documentation in DECAL KOALA.
After May 4, 2020 programs should submit their Annual Report/Inspection within five (5) business days, after
being contacted by their Child Care Consultant.
To access, you must:
- Log into your DECAL KOALA Account
- Click on the Required Reporting on the ribbon along the top
- Select the Green +Add Required Report button
- Select the bullet for Annual Report/Inspection as the report type
Licensed programs may upload documents that verify how compliance with each indicator is met. The program
may upload photos, written documentation, copies of files, logs, or certificates, etc. Note: the following
types of documents are valid to upload on this page; PDF, JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNF, BMP, TIF, TIFF, PIC.
Programs can upload all information as one document or can upload multiple documents for each indicator as
long as the following requirements are considered:
- The attachment size of the document cannot exceed 12 MB
- If uploading multiple documents, each document must have a different file name (Ex. Doc 1, Doc 2, Doc 3, etc.)
- Select applicable indicator
- Click on Green Upload Document button
Programs experiencing difficulties with uploading required documentation into DECAL KOALA, should contact
their Child Care Consultant for guidance. Documentation may be able to be emailed to the Consultant for upload.
After the Required Report has been submitted it will be routed to the appropriate Child Care
Consultant. The Consultant will then review the report and supporting documentation for compliance and
will be contacted if clarification is needed. Upon the completion of the online review, programs will be
contacted for an exit conference with their Consultant.
If you have questions pertaining to submitting the program’s Annual Report/Inspection, email or call your
assigned Child Care Consultant.
Required Reporting: Child Abuse, Neglect and Deprivation
Beginning October 1, 2020, all licensed programs will have the ability to report any suspected cases of child abuse, neglect or deprivation of any child or children in their care through their DECAL KOALA Account.
A mandated reporter is a person who, because of his or her profession, is legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities.
These laws are in place to prevent children from being abused and to end any possible abuse or neglect at the earliest possible stage.
Yes, childcare center personnel are mandated reporters are required by law
to report any situation in which there is reasonable cause to believe that a child may have been abused,
neglected, or deprived.
Suspected abuse, neglect or deprivation of any child should be reported within 24 hours or the next workday,
to the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and DECAL.
First, report the suspected abuse, neglect or deprivation to your local Department of Family and Children Services
(DFCS) at 1-855-422-4453 or using the online services link:
https://cps.dhs.ga.gov/Main/Default.aspx. Once reported to DFCS,
licensed childcare programs are also required to report to DECAL and can do so through the program’s
DECAL KOALA account under Required Reporting.
If the suspected abuse, neglect, or deprivation did not occur in your program,
you are required to report the suspected abuse to DFCS DECAL.
You will report specifics of the suspected abuse, neglect and deprivation to DFCS,
then report to DECAL the report was made. For the DECAL Required Report,
you will not be asked to report the details of the report if the suspected abuse,
neglect, or deprivation did not occur AT the licensed childcare program.
If the suspected abuse, neglect, or deprivation occurred AT the licensed childcare
program, you will report the suspected abuse to DFCS and DECAL. You will need to
complete a Required Report with the details of what occurred. You will also submit
staff statements, incident report and other applicable supporting documentation as
a part of the Required Report.
If you file a report with DFCS, you should receive an email notification confirming that your report was received along with a mandated reporter letter. If you file an anonymous report with DFCS,
the email notification and mandated reporter letter will not be sent.
Yes, the mandated reporter letter and email can be uploaded in DECAL KOALA for reports that occurred AT the licensed childcare program.
The letter and email are evidence that the report was made by a mandated reporter.
DFCS will accept anonymous reports, however, as a mandated reporter,
you will not have proof the report was filed. You are encouraged to give your
name and role when making a report of suspected abuse, neglect and deprivation
to DFCS.
It is possible that a visit from DECAL and/or DFCS may be conducted because of making a report. DECAL may only conduct
a visit if the suspected abuse, neglect or deprivation occurred AT the licensed childcare program.
In most cases, the identity of a person who makes a report
of suspected abuse, neglect, or deprivation is kept confidential cannot be released by the agency.
It is important that everyone understand their responsibility by law on reporting suspected abuse and neglect.
If an individual is found to have not reported a suspected case of abuse and neglect, they can be charged
with a misdemeanor. DECAL only requires that the Mandated Reporter training be from an approved trainer,
the source by which the training is up to the individual and/or licensed childcare program.
If mandated reporter training has previously been completed, you can consider taking the training offered
by ProSolutions/DFCS as a refresher.
To access, you must:
- Log into your DECAL KOALA Account
- Click on the Required Reporting on the ribbon along the top
- Select the Green + Add Required Report button
- Select the bullet for child abuse, neglect, or deprivation
If you have questions pertaining to submitting a Child Abuse required report, email or call your
assigned Child Care Consultant or call and speak with a Child Care Services Intake Consultant.
Required Reporting: Notifiable Communicable Diseases
Beginning October 1, 2020, all licensed programs will have the ability to report cases of Notifiable Communicable Diseases in their program through their DECAL KOALA Account.
A communicable disease is a disease that spreads from person to person. Pathogens such as viruses,
bacteria and fungi cause these diseases. Communicable diseases are the most common cause of illness
in young children. Young children are more vulnerable to illnesses because their immune system is not
yet built up. When children work and play together in groups, it creates an opportunity for the
spread of a number of common childhood diseases that can be passed on from one child to the next
or passed on to center staff and parents.
A notifiable disease is any communicable disease that is required to be reported to
government authorities. The collation of information allows the authorities to monitor
the disease and provides early warning of possible outbreaks. In Georgia, the Department
of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency responsible in preventing disease, injury and
disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters
from a health perspective. The Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is
responsible for the regulation of childcare programs. Childcare programs are required
to report notifiable communicable diseases to both DPH and DECAL.
Yes, the Director or designated person-in-charge shall report any cases or suspected
cases of notifiable communicable diseases(COVID-19, Tuberculosis, Measles, etc.) or any viruses
or illness identified during a public health emergency, immediately to the Department. The notifiable communicable disease shall be reported to the local County Health Department as required by the communicable disease chart, which in most cases includes only reporting clusters/outbreaks to public health.
Yes, the program will need to complete a Required Report each time. A person that has been
instructed to quarantine does not have to be reported to DPH or DECAL unless they are showing signs
of the virus. The wording of the rule has always included “diagnosed and suspected” cases of communicable
diseases. The notifiable communicable disease shall be reported to the local County Health Department as required by the communicable disease chart, which in most cases includes only reporting clusters/outbreaks to public health.
An cluster/outbreak in a child care facility setting is defined as: Two or more laboratory-confirmed communicable disease cases among children or staff with illness onsets within a 14-day period, who are epidemiologically linked (e.g., have a common exposure or have been in contact with each other), do not share a household, and were not identified as close contacts of each other in another setting.
A confirmed case is when the communicable disease has been laboratory tested
and confirmed positive of the disease. A suspected case is when clinical signs and symptoms
are observed but has not been laboratory test or results have not been received.
No, only the communicable diseases listed as notifiable communicable diseases on the communicable disease chart are required to be reported. In situations where more than three persons (within the center or within a classroom) have one of the other listed communicable diseases on the chart, it is recommended that the center report the illness to the county health department for guidance and notify parents.
Yes, the program must notify parents of all children enrolled in writing of the occurrence of any of the notifiable communicable diseases listed on the communicable disease chart, as provided by the Department, within twenty-four (24) hours after the program becomes aware of the illness or the next working day. Please refer to the Children’s Health chapter of the childcare rule books as well as the published Indicator Manual for further guidance.
Written notifications shall be placed in an area easily visible to all parents ( letter sent home, posted at the front entrance, posted outside of the classrooms, parental communication board(s),
web-based notification such as email, text, and social media postings) are acceptable forms of notification. Please ensure that all parents have access to the notifications and refer to the Children’s Health
chapter of the childcare rule books as well as the published Indicator Manual for further guidance.
You will report all Notifiable Communicable Diseases to your local Health
Department at 1-855-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584) and through your DECAL KOALA
account under Required Reporting. If a childcare program is unable to report
notifiable communicable disease through their DECAL KOALA account, they should
reach out to their assigned consultant or call and speak with a Child Care
Services Intake Consultant.
To access, you must:
- Log into your DECAL KOALA Account
- Click on the Required Reporting on the ribbon along the top
- Select the Green + Add Required Report button
- Select the bullet for communicable diseases
If you have questions pertaining to submitting a Communicable Disease required report,
email or call your assigned Child Care Consultant or call and speak with a Child Care Services
Intake Consultant.
Required Reporting: Program Operating Status Change
Beginning October 1, 2020, all licensed programs will have the ability to report the operating status of their program through their DECAL KOALA Account.
A status change is anytime the program’s operating status goes from open to temporarily closed or temporarily closed to open. Also, when a program permanently closes.
Yes, as of October 1, 2020, the rules and regulations require that licensed childcare programs report all closures to DECAL within twenty-four (24) hours or the next workday.
Licensed childcare programs can report temporary closures for up to 180 days in the future, but not for the entire year.
After receiving feedback from childcare programs, DECAL has revised the drop-down list.
Please use the temporary closure reason Holiday/Personal/Vacation when reporting temporary closures
due to holidays.
DECAL KOALA is web-based and can be accessed from any internet source. Licensed
programs should report the temporary closure as soon as possible and when power
is restored. If the program is unable to access DECAL KOALA, they can report
the temporary closure to their assigned consultant. DECAL KOALA allows you to
report for dates in the past. If DECAL can determine the program reported as
timely as possible, the program will not be cited.
Facility repair/maintenance is the reason for Temporary Closure that you should chose when reporting a closure to loss of power or water.
When you reported the Notifiable Communicable Disease, if you selected that the entire program was
temporarily closed and entered the start and end dates, you notified DECAL of the temporary closure,
no further action is needed unless you change the dates of the temporary closure.
Yes, if a program has reported their childcare program as temporarily closed,
the program is required to pay their annual license fee in order to maintain
their license. If the annual license fee is not paid, DECAL will pursue
adverse action to revoke the license.
Yes, childcare programs are required to have two regulatory visits per year.
If a program is temporarily closed for more than 180 days, the program must be available for regulatory visit(s) to meet the annual visit requirement.
Additionally, all complaints will be investigated by DECAL.
If the program is not licensed to operate during the summer months, you will not need to report a temporary closure during that period of time.
Yes, you can initiate the permanent closure of a licensed program through DECAL KOALA.
Further documentation will be needed to complete the permanent closure. If you permanently
close and then decide to reopen you will need to submit a new application for license to DECAL.
A program can be temporarily closed for 180 days. If your program’s temporary closure
extends beyond 180 days, you are required to submit a new Required Report. If an additional Required Report
is not submitted, the program’s operating status will automatically change to Open on the End Date reported.
Yes, if your program closed and has now reopened and you did not report in DECAL Koala you can report your closure and back date up to 90 days of the closure date.
You can report a closure up to 90 days prior to the closure date in your DECAL KOALA account.
To access, you must:
- Log into your DECAL KOALA Account
- Click on the Required Reporting on the ribbon along the top
- Select the Green + Add Required Report button
- Select the bullet for Program operating status changes
If you have questions pertaining to submitting a Program’s Operating Status Change required report,
email or call your assigned Child Care Consultant or call and speak with a Child Care Services Intake
Consultant.
If you need to edit your dates, please reach out to your regional consultant, so that the closure dates can be revised in DECAL KOALA.
If the temporary closure dates are extended, please submit a new Required Report.
If you need to shorten the dates of the submitted temporary closure on or before
your end date, please reach out to your assigned childcare services consultant or call
and speak with an intake consultant.
Georgia’s Pre-K Program Application
Beginning in January 2020, the Georgia’s Pre-K Application can be accessed ONLY through DECAL KOALA
(Kids Online Administrative Licensing Application). DECAL KOALA is an online resource that is available
to all licensed child care programs, approved exempt program and registered support systems. Programs that
are eligible to apply for Georgia’s Pre-K Program will see information about the Georgia’s Pre-K Application
when they log in to their DECAL KOALA account.
Licensed child care learning centers, local school systems and Head Start grantees are eligible to complete an application. Eligible
programs must be in good standing with any other applicable DECAL programs (Child Care Services, Child and Parent Services (CAPS),
Nutrition Services, and Audits and Compliance). Additionally, licensed child care learning centers must have licensed classroom
space for a minimum of 20 children.Licensed programs must also have licensed playground space to accommodate a class of 20 students
simultaneously for outdoor activities.
All child care learning programs applying for Georgia’s Pre-K must be licensed. Programs that are currently in the process of
obtaining a license from DECAL are not eligible to apply.
Programs are not required to operate for one year before applying for Georgia’s Pre-K. Any program meeting the new applicant
qualifications may apply for Georgia’s Pre-K.
Funding for new classes will be based on the amount of available funding after continuation classes (current Pre-K classes in
good standing) are funded, the quality of the application and the need for additional Pre-K classes in the region. Care is taken
in all areas not to impact existing programs/sites by over-funding. Therefore, awards are made over a period of time as need is
established and class enrollments stabilize.
POI Management
Beginning December 1, 2019, all licensed programs can submit a Formal Plan of Improvement in DECAL KOALA.
To View POI Management, you must:
- Log into your DECAL KOALA Account
- Click on Manage POI Notices on the ribbon along the top
- Select Visit Record you wish to view POI Notice for
- Select applicable visit record (any visit that has status of Pending)
- Click on Green Upload Document button
Licensed programs may upload documents that show how the violations(s) will be corrected, the date(s) the violations(s) will or
has been corrected and photos of the corrected violations(s). The program should include the steps they will take to ensure the
violation(s) do not occur again. The program may upload photos, receipts and explanation(s) of how the violation(s) have or will
be corrected. Note: the following types of documents are valid to upload on this page; PDF, JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNF, BMP, TIF, TIFF, PIC.
After the POI has been submitted it will be routed to the appropriated consultant. The consultant will then review the POI response
from the program and determine if the program plan of correction is acceptable. The consultant will place the status of the POI in,
“Accepted, Accepted with Conditions or Not accepted”.
When ‘Accepted with Conditions’ there were specifics/information missing in the program’s Formal POI response. An example could be
that the program did not include a date the correction(s) will be completed and the consultant ‘Accepted with Conditions’ due to
this. The consultant will list the conditions in the email the program will receive on the consultant reviews the Formal POI response.
The program will receive auto-generated reminders leading up to the 10 day timeframe in which the Formal POI Response is due. If
no response is submitted, the program will receive an autogenerated email indicating that the program is expected to correct and
maintain all rule violations on the visit report.
A POI is a written plan prepared by the authorized agent of the program submitted to and approved by the Department which states
the procedures(s), method(s) and time frame(s) that will be used to correct the area(s) of non-compliance with the rules. This can
be developed with the consultant who conducts the visits at a program and should detail who will correct, how the violation will
be corrected and when the violation will be corrected.
A Formal Plan of Improvement Notice (POI Notice) is a document issued and places a program on notice that the program’s compliance
zone fell in Support or Deficient status, indicating that there were serious, extensive or continued noncompliance with the rules
and regulations at a visit.
Yes, a plan of improvement (POI) is developed for each citation a program receives on a visit report. The severity, the frequency
of repeated rule violations determines if a Formal Plan of Improvement will be issued.
No, a Formal POI is issued when a program’s compliance zone falls in Support or Deficient status at the end of a visit.
The deadline varies. The risk level of the citation will determine the correction deadline. Some citations require a immediate
correction, 5-day correction, 10- day correction or a 30-day correction. Though some rule violations require immediate
correction, there are some violations that a program is allowed more time to implement practices or for repairs to be made. A
program may request more time to make corrections, the Department has discretion in granting extensions to correction deadlines.
If you have questions pertaining to submitting the program’s Formal POI Response, email or call the consultant who conducted the
visit at your program. There is also a provider webinar posted that you may view
http://www.decal.ga.gov/CCS/Notifications.aspx.
Exemptions
- We added screens under Update Contact where you can create an Owner ID for all programs in an entity
- licensed programs can now add an application for exemption when adding new program components, or
changes to the existing program that would qualify for license-exemption
- online Exemption Application and/or Exemption Amendment Application
- submit an online exemption closure request
Individual and Corporate owners of only one facility have the option of creating an owner account in addition
to the director/administrator account.
Individual and corporate owners of only one facility have the option of creating an owner account. Owners of
multiple programs have an owner account through which they can view and update the information for all their
programs rather than logging in to each of their programs separately.
Submitting an exemption application using DECAL KOALA is preferred; however, a complete exemption application
and supporting documentation relevant to the category selection(s) can be submitted manually by downloading
the document from the
Decal website and emailing, faxing or mailing it to the department.
To add an exemption application online in DECAL KOALA, create an Exemption Provider ID and select your program
from the Search Provider screen. The exemption application can be initiated on the Exemptions screen.
Documents needed to upload for an online exemption application varies depending on the category
selection(s). Regardless of the category selection, the Parent Statement acknowledging that the program
is exempt from licensure is required for all exemptions.
Exemption amendments are approved changes to the initial exemption from licensure affecting any of
the following:
- ages served
- months of operation
- days of operation
- hours of operation
- program’s operating name
- street address - changed by US Postal Service only, (not a location change)
To add an exemption amendment application online in DECAL KOALA, log-into your DECAL KOALA account and click
on the Plus icon from the Exemption Categories page. Select Amendment type.
A licensed program may want to apply for an exemption if it is seeking to add specialized programming
that can be maintained separate and apart from the pre-existing licensed program. This includes but is
not limited to separate entrances and exits for both programs, children in care do not share space and cannot commingle.
Nothing further is planned for exempt programs at this time.
You can send feedback and suggestions to
decalkoala@decal.ga.gov.
Licensed Program Amendments
Beginning August 2, 2021, all licensed programs will have the ability to add, view and search amendments, and upload supporting documents through their DECAL KOALA Account.
Amendments should be submitted for the following:
- Anytime there is a change in the name of the program or Center
- Changes in the ages of the children to be served
- An increase in the regular hours of operation such that the Center would be providing evening or night-time care in addition to day-time care
- Changes in the services provided
- Additions to or changes in the use of the building by the licensed Center
An application for an amended License shall be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the change, except in the case of an emergency. If an emergency situation arises which makes it impossible to give thirty (30) days notice, the management of the Center shall notify the Department by telephone and shall submit an application for an amended License as soon as management becomes aware of the change that will be necessitated by the emergency situation. In no case, however, shall a new owner operate the Center without first securing a new License or Permit from the Department.
All amendments that were previously submitted on the paper form can be submitted through your DECAL KOALA Account to include:
- Capacity Increase and Decrease
- Hours of Operation
- Months of Operation
- Days of Operation
- Ages of Children Served
- Room Type Change
- 25 Square Foot / Care for Additional Children
- Program Name Change
- Legal Name Change
- USPS Address Change
Yes. Beginning August 2, 2021, all licensed programs will have access to complete amendment requests and upload supporting documents through their DECAL KOALA Account. These requests should be made and approved by your Consultant, prior to making any changes in your program.
To submit a license amendment, please follow these steps to access in DECAL KOALA:
- Log into your DECAL KOALA Account
- Click on Facility Update
- Click on Amendments
- Click on the 'Add Amendment' button
- Choose the type of amendment or amendments you are requesting, select 'Continue'
- Complete the amendment process
- Upload supporting documents, if required
- Submit
You will receive an email notification that your amendment request was received.
Yes. Once you successfully submit the amendment your Consultant will review the request and contact you if additional information is needed.
It is possible that a visit from DECAL will be conducted to take measurements or additional photographs if needed, to process and complete your amendment.
Once your amendment is processed, a letter of approval or denial will be emailed to you for each amendment type you requested.
The Department has up to 30 business days to process an amendment request.
If you submit an amendment and decide that you no longer would like to make the requested changes, please contact your Consultant.
If you have questions about submitting an amendment request, email or call your assigned Child Care Consultant, or call and speak with a Child Care Services Intake Consultant at 1-404-657-5562.
Once you begin the amendment application process and chose the type of amendment you are requesting, click on upload documents. The system will provide you with a list of documents that you will need to upload for each amendment type. You will not be able to submit your application until all the supporting documents are uploaded.
No, this is a status change, not an amendment request. However, you are required to report this closure in your DECAL KOALA account as a Required Report for a Program Operating Status Change (Temporary Closure).
No. If you change to a new location, you will need to complete a change of location application. Please contact DECAL prior to changing locations to ensure that the new location will be approved for licensing.
The following amendment types can be submitted for licensed Family Child Care Learning Homes through DECAL KOALA:
- Hours of Operation
- Days of Operation
- Months of Operation
- Ages of Children Served
- 2 Additional Children (2 hours a day)
- Program Name Change
- USPS Address Change
The following amendment types can be submitted for licensed Child Care Learning Centers through DECAL KOALA:
- Hours of Operation
- Days of Operation
- Months of Operation
- Ages of Children Served
- 25 square footage (2 hours a day)
- Program Name Change
- USPS Address Change
- Legal Name Change
- Room Type Change (Diapered/Non-Diapered)
- Capacity Increase/Decrease
Online Refutation FAQS: DECAL Koala
On your homepage, you will scroll down to the inspection report section and next to the most current
visit there will be a refute citation link. You will click that link and choose which rules you want
to refute. After providing all necessary information you can then submit your refutation.
Providers have 10 days from the completion of the visit to submit a refutation.
If you do not submit your refutation within 10 days of the completion of the visit your refutation
will receive a letter that states, you did not submit your refutation within 10 days and will
consider your refutation as a statement of disagreement.
No, you do not have to refute all rules cited. You can choose to refute one or more citations.
You will need to provide a statement of disagreement for the rules you want to refute.
You will provide any supporting documentation to help support your refutation.
Please include details as to why you think the citation should be removed or revised from the visit report.
No, you have 10 days to submit the refutation. You can save the
refutation and come back and make updates before submitting the refutation.
If you submit your refutation before the 10 days is up, you can make modifications
to your refutation until the 11th day. On the 11th day you will not be able to
make any more modifications to your refutation and it will be in review of the
manager.
The program may upload photos, written documentation, copies of files,
logs, or certificates, etc. Note: the following types of documents are valid
to upload on this page; PDF, JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNF, BMP, TIF, TIFF, PIC.
Once your refutation has been submitted, it will be forwarded to the
appropriate manager. The manager will make a determination and you will be
notified of the determination via email.