Republic of Ghana · Official government service Department of Social Welfare · Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
Coat of Arms of the Republic of Ghana Republic of Ghana Department of Social Welfare Daycare Licensing & Management
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Before you apply

Applicant guidance

What the Department of Social Welfare requires to approve the establishment of a day-care centre, and what happens after you submit.

1 · Information you will provide

Form 13

Form 13 is the statutory application under Regulation 64 (1) of the Child Rights Regulations, 2002. The online form follows the paper form exactly, so the numbered items below are the official items.

ItemInformation required
1Name of the day-care centre
2–4Region, district / MMDA, and the city, town or village where the centre operates
5–6Number of days operated each week and hours opened each day
7Owner particulars: name, address, qualifications and occupation
8(a)–(b)Person in charge: name, qualification, first-aid training and certification details
8(c)Other staff: name, qualification and first-aid certification. The paper form provides twelve rows; the system allows more
9Finance: fees per child and frequency, grants or subsidies and their source, working capital, bankers
10Parents association: whether one is intended and how often it will meet
11Affiliation: district and regional associations, with membership dates

The final section of Form 13, For official use only, is completed by the district officer who inspects the centre. Applicants cannot fill it.

2 · Supporting documents

Upload clear scans or photographs. Accepted formats are PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC and DOCX, up to 8 MB each.

  • Business registration or certificate of commencement, if available
  • Evidence of occupancy of the premises (tenancy agreement or ownership document)
  • First-aid certificates for the person in charge and staff
  • Photographs of the premises, playground and sanitary facilities
  • Fire certificate or local authority permission, where applicable

These are system requirements to support assessment. They do not replace any statutory requirement of the Children's Act or the Child Rights Regulations.

3 · What happens after submission

  1. Submit
  2. District review
  3. Inspection
  4. Regional / national
  5. Payment
  6. Licence
District review
Your district Social Welfare office checks completeness and may return the application for correction with a written reason.
Inspection
An officer visits the centre, completes every statutory monitoring item and records evidence, GPS location and any corrective action.
Review and fees
The report is reviewed by the regional and national offices. A bill is then issued for the approved fee schedule.
Licence
After verified payment and final approval, the National Office issues the licence and certificate with a QR verification code.
Renewal
Licences expire on the date printed on the certificate. Renew before expiry — the system sends reminders and a late renewal penalty may be configured by the Department.