DSS visits to child care homes causes 56 to close so far

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s Department of Social Services says 56 child care homes statewide have been forced to close since legislators passed a law last year allowing inspectors to make unannounced visits; 25 more have been targeted for closure and are appealing.

The director of the agency’s early care division says the law helps protect children.

Before July 2014, social workers had no authority to step inside a day care registered to keep fewer than seven children unless someone filed a complaint. Such homes represent the bulk of day cares operating in South Carolina.

According to DSS, all such homes have since been inspected.

Division director Leigh Bolick says the most common reason for a home’s registration to be rescinded is the facility continuing to keep more than six children.