REGULATIONS & LICENSING

Did you know that if you are caring for more than two children (not related to you), for more than four hours a day, you need to be licensed, unless you meet any of the exemption scenarios?

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services created the Division of Child Development and Early Education to reflect the importance of quality standards and increased access to childcare for families. As a result, child care laws were established to implement rules and regulations for the following:

• Procedures a child care center or home must follow to obtain a license
• Health and safety requirements for child care centers or homes, including:
  • Safety of indoor/outdoor equipment and environment
  • Health requirements for children and staff
  • How medication may be administered to children
  • When sick children must be excluded from child care
• Staff qualifications and training
• Supervision of children
• The maximum allowable ratios of staff to children in care (centers)
• Developmentally appropriate activities for children
• Nutrition standards that child care centers or homes must follow
• Discipline policies of child care centers or homes
• Requirements for transporting children
• Records that child care centers or homes must keep
• Voluntary higher standards to achieve a two-to-five star rated license
• Administrative actions that may be taken by the Division of Child Development and Early Education against a license

You can reference the most up-to-date regulations and licensing information on the NCDCDEE’s website.