What Is Child Care?
The law defines child care as:
three or more children under 13 years of age
receiving care from a non-relative
on a regular basis - at least once a week
for more than four hours per day but less than
24 hours.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human
Services is responsible for regulating child care. This is
done through the Division of Child Development and
Early Education. The purpose of regulation is to protect
the well-being of children while they are away from their
parents. The law defining child care is in the North
Carolina General Statutes, Article 7, Chapter 110.
The North Carolina Child Care Commission is
responsible for adopting rules to carry out the law.
Some counties and cities in North Carolina also have
local zoning requirements for child care programs.
Star Rated Licenses
Centers and homes that are meeting the minimum
licensing requirements will receive a one star license.
Programs that choose to voluntarily meet higher
standards can apply for a two through five star license.
The number of stars a program earns is based upon
the education levels their staff meet and the program
standards met by the program.
Family Child Care Homes
A family child care home is licensed to care for five or
fewer preschool age children, including their own
preschool children, and can include three additional
school-age children. The provider's own school-age
children are not counted. Family child care homes will
be visited at least annually to make sure they are
following the law and to receive technical assistance
from child care consultants. Licenses are issued to
family child care home providers who meet the following
requirements:
Home providers must be 21 years old with at least
a high school education or its equivalent, and
mentally and emotionally capable of caring for
children.
He or she must undergo a criminal records
background check initially, and every three years
thereafter.
All household members over age 15 must also
undergo a criminal records background check
initially, and every three years thereafter.
All family child care home providers must have
current certification in CPR and first aid,
complete an ITS-SIDS training (if caring for infants
0 -12 months) every three years and the
Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child
Care training and plan. They also must complete a
minimum number of training hours annually.
All family child care homes must meet basic health and
safety standards. Providers must maintain verification of
children’s immunization and health status. They must
provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities,
as well as nutritious meals and snacks for the children in
care. All children must participate in outdoor play at
least one hour per daily, if weather conditions permit.
Child Care Centers
Licensing as a center is required when six or more
preschool children are cared for in a residence or when
three or more children are in care in a building other
than a residence. Religious-sponsored programs are
exempt from some of the regulations described below if
they choose to meet the standards of the Notice of
Compliance rather than the Star Rated License.
Programs that operate for less than four consecutive
months, such as summer camps, are exempt from
licensing. Child care centers may voluntarily meet
higher standards and receive a license with a higher
rating. Centers will be visited at least annually to make
sure they are following the law and to receive technical
assistance from child care consultants.
Licensed centers must meet requirements in the
following areas.
Staff
The administrator of a child care center must be at least
21, and have at least a North Carolina Early Childhood
Administration Credential or its equivalent. Lead
teachers in a child care center must be at least 18 and
have at least a North Carolina Early Childhood
Credential or its equivalent. If administrators and lead
teachers do not meet this requirement, they must begin
credential coursework within six months of being hired.
Staff younger than 18 years of age must work under the
direct supervision of staff 21 years of age or older. All
staff must complete a minimum number of training hours
including ITS-SIDS training for any caregiver that works
with infants 12 months of age or younger. At least one
person on the premises must have CPR and First Aid
training. All staff must also undergo a criminal records
background check initially, and every three years
thereafter. One staff must complete the Emergency
Preparedness and Response in Child Care training and
plan.
Staff/Child Ratios
Ratios are the number of staff required to supervise a
certain number of children. Group size is the maximum
number of children in one group. Ratios and group sizes
for licensure are shown below and must be posted in
each classroom.
Age Teacher: Child Ratio Max Group Size
0-12 mths 1:5 10
12-24mths 1:6 12
2 years old 1:10 20
3 years old 1:15 25
4 years old 1:20 25
1:25 25
Small centers in a residence that are licensed for six to twelve
children may keep up to three additional school-age children,
depending on the ages of the other children in care. When the
group has children of different ages, staff-child ratios and group
size must be met for the youngest child in the group.
Space and Equipment
Centers must have at least 25 square feet per child
indoors and 75 square feet per child outdoors. Outdoor
play space must be fenced. Indoor equipment must be
clean, safe, well maintained, and developmentally
appropriate. Outdoor equipment and indoor furnishings
must be child size, sturdy, and free of hazards that
could injure children.
Curriculum
Four and five star programs must use an approved
curriculum in their four-year-old classrooms. Other
programs may choose to use an approved curriculum to
get a quality point for the star-rated license. Activity
plans must be available to parents and must show a
balance of active and quiet, and indoor and outdoor
activities. Rooms must be arranged to encourage
children to explore, use materials on their own and have
choices.
Health and Safety
Children must be immunized on schedule. Each
licensed center must ensure the health and safety of
children by sanitizing areas and equipment used by
children. Meals and snacks must be nutritious, and
children must have portions large enough to satisfy their
h
unger. Food must be offered at least once every four
hours. Local health, building, and fire inspectors visit
licensed centers to make sure standards are met. All
children must be allowed to play outdoors each day
(weather permitting) for at least an hour a day for
preschool children and at least thirty minutes a day for
children under two. They must have space and time
provided for rest.