Agency: South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) – Child Care Services
Website: https://dss.sd.gov
Description: The South Dakota Department of Social Services licenses and regulates child care centers, family child care homes, group family child care homes, and school-age programs. The department provides licensing regulations, inspections, provider resources, forms, and compliance guidance.
Program: South Dakota Quality Recognition and Information System (QRIS)
Website: https://dss.sd.gov/childcare
Description: South Dakota's Quality Recognition and Information System (QRIS) supports continuous quality improvement through coaching, technical assistance, professional development, and quality recognition for early childhood programs.
Registry: South Dakota Early Childhood Enrichment (SD ECE Registry)
Website: https://www.sdsu.edu/early-childhood-enrichment
Description: South Dakota's professional development registry supports early childhood professionals by documenting education, credentials, training, and career advancement while providing access to approved professional development opportunities.
Organization: South Dakota Child Care Resource & Referral
Website: https://sdchildcare.org
Description: South Dakota's Child Care Resource & Referral network provides referrals, coaching, technical assistance, professional development, and business support for child care providers and families.
Organization: South Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children (SDAEYC)
Website: https://www.sdaeyc.org
Description: Supports early childhood professionals through advocacy, conferences, networking, leadership development, and professional learning opportunities.
Organization: South Dakota Department of Education – Child and Adult Nutrition Services
Website: https://doe.sd.gov
Description: Administers South Dakota's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), providing reimbursement, nutrition guidance, training, and technical assistance.
Agency: South Dakota Department of Social Services
Website: https://dss.sd.gov
Description: Child care providers and employees must complete criminal background checks and required child abuse and neglect clearances before working in licensed child care settings.
Program: South Dakota Early Childhood Programs
Website: https://doe.sd.gov
Description: South Dakota supports voluntary preschool opportunities through local school districts, Head Start programs, and community partnerships to prepare children for kindergarten success.
Program: Birth to Three Program
Website: https://doe.sd.gov
Description: South Dakota's Birth to Three Program provides coordinated early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities while supporting families.
Organization: South Dakota Department of Social Services
Website: https://dss.sd.gov
Description: Provides workforce initiatives, scholarships, quality improvement supports, grants, and professional development opportunities for South Dakota's early childhood professionals.
Training requirements include pediatric CPR and First Aid, health and safety, child abuse and neglect reporting, safe sleep practices, emergency preparedness, and ongoing professional development.
Website: https://dss.sd.gov
Description: Access licensing applications, provider forms, inspection reports, regulations, background check information, and additional child care resources.
Website: https://dss.sd.gov
Description: Stay informed about licensing updates, policy changes, grant opportunities, quality initiatives, professional development, and early childhood news throughout South Dakota.
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