Parents
File Complaints
Complaints made about a child care facility are handled quickly and with great concern for the well-being of children. If our staff find that a provider is not following laws or regulations, they will cite the provider for having a deficiency. All licensing deficiencies are posted on the provider’s page (located on this website) if they are regulated by DSS. You can search for specific child care providers in the blue box to the right to view any deficiencies they might have. Call the Regional Child Care Licensing Office in your area if you believe a provider is not following laws and regulations, or if you believe someone is operating without a license or registration.
To File a Complaint with Child Care Licensing:
Click on your county on the map below for contact information to file a complaint with Child Care Licensing.
Please note that Child Care Licensing will not investigate complaints about a provider’s rates.
To File a Complaint with ABC Quality
If you believe the provider is an ABC Quality provider, please call the ABC Quality Program at 1-800-763-2223.
To Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect
If you want to make a report of suspected child abuse and neglect in a child care facility, please call the Out-of-Home Abuse and Neglect Unit at (803) 898-7669 from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM or 1-800-645-9789 after hours. For more information, click here.
Examples of Licensing Complaints
- Someone is keeping children without a license or registration.
- A provider has more children in a room than the staff-to-child ratios allow for.
- Playground equipment is in bad repair.
- A provider has employed someone without having a background check completed.
Examples of ABC Complaints
- A provider is not providing developmentally appropriate activities.
- A provider is not following good hand washing practices.
- A provider is not talking to children appropriately.