NC Child Care Requirements EDU 261 Fall 2014

North Carolina NC Division of Child Development Mission – Building a stronger social and economic future for North Carolina by promoting high quality early childhood experiences

Division of Child Development History In 1971, North Carolina's first child day care licensing law was passed. As a result, the North Carolina Department of Administration, Office of Child Day Care Licensing was created. In 1985, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that consolidated the Office of Child Day Care Licensing and the NC Department of Human Resources, Office of Child Day Care Services. This consolidation led to the creation of the Child Day Care Section, which was housed in the NC Division of Facility Services under the NC Department of Human Resources. In 1993, the Child Day Care Section and some other parts of the Department of Human Resources (now referred to as the Department of Health and Human Services) agencies were reorganized into the Division of Child Development. The creation of the Division reflected the growing importance of child care to North Carolina families. North Carolina boasts one of the highest rates of working mothers with young children in the nation, making the availability of child care essential for the State's economic development and stability.

Regulatory Services Section Monitors and licenses all child care programs in North Carolina. Key responsibilities include: Assuring a safe and healthy child care environment in licensed Child Care Centers and Homes Promoting the overall availability of child care Increasing the availability of child care that meets higher than minimum licensing standards Increasing the amount of information provided to the public regarding child care arrangements and children's needs Monitoring child care arrangements for compliance with requirements

Regulatory Services Section Investigating complaints about child care arrangements, including reports of child abuse or neglect, and taking appropriate action Investigating reports of illegal operations Issuing licenses and other operating permits to child care arrangements Providing technical assistance and training to child care providers, potential providers and local agencies Providing consumer education and increasing parent outreach efforts by making information about North Carolina child care providers available on the Internet through the Division's Facility Search Site

Licensing Requirements Overview It is important for licensed providers to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to their type of program.licensing requirements Child care consultants can make unannounced visits at any time. unannounced visits It's the provider's responsibility to be in compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules.

Another way for providers to make sure that they are meeting all regulations is to periodically review the child care law and rules online. North Carolina has three different documents regulating health and safety in child care. – Chapter 110 General Statutes Child Care Facilities Chapter 110 General Statutes Child Care Facilities – Chapter 9 - Child Care Rules Chapter 9 - Child Care Rules – Section 2800 Sanitation of Child Care Centers Section 2800 Sanitation of Child Care Centers

Laws and Rules Laws: created by the legislature – General Statutes Chapter 110 of the North Carolina General Statutes: Child Care Facilities (7/2010) Rules: created by the Child Care Commission CHAPTER 9 - CHILD CARE RULES (Effective August 1, 2010)

NC Child Care Commission The NC Child Care Commission is made up of fifteen members:fifteen members – seven are appointed by the Governor, – four by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, – and four by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. – Child Care Commission Members are appointed to serve two- year terms. – Members may be reappointed and can serve up to 4 consecutive terms for a total of eight consecutive years. – The Commission is highly committed to ensuring quality child care across North Carolina. – Commission members hear from parents, providers and the public about their opinions on child care in North Carolina’s Child Care Rules. – This is generally done at each Commission meeting during a time that is set aside for comments from the public. The Child Care Commission meetings are held quarterly, generally in Raleigh at the main office of the Division.

NC Child Care Commission – The NC Child Care Commission is responsible for adopting rules to implement the child care laws established by the NC General Assembly. – The Child Care Commission makes rules about: – 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

NC Child Care Commission – 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-five star rated license – Administrative actions that may be taken by the Division of Child Development against a license

Who's Regulated by the Division of Child Development? If you are caring for more than two children who aren't related to you for more than four hours a day, you might need to be licensed. If you do not meet any of the exemption scenarios provided below, then you need to apply for a license

The exemptions are: Recreational programs operated for less than four consecutive months in a year Specialized activities or instruction such as athletics, dance, art, music lessons, horseback riding, gymnastics, or organized clubs for children, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H groups, or boys and girls clubs Drop-in or short-term care provided while parents participate in activities that are not employment related and where the parents are on the premises or otherwise easily accessible, such as drop-in or short-term care provided in health spas, bowling alleys, shopping malls, resort hotels, or churches Drop-in or short-term care Public Schools

The exemptions are: Nonpublic schools that are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and that operate a child care facility for less than six and one-half hours per daySouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Vacation Bible Schools Centers and Homes located on federal property over which the federal government has control (military based and the Cherokee Indian reservation) Cooperative arrangements among parents to provide care for their own children as a convenience rather than for employment Any child care program or arrangement consisting of two or more separate components, each of which operates for four hours or less per day with different children attending each component

How Do I Get Licensed? Determine the kind of child care program you want to offer. This is important because the application/forms vary based on size and type of program. If you want to provide care in your home for a maximum of five preschool children, or up to eight children if at least three are school-aged, then you need to follow the Family Child Care Home application processschool-aged the Family Child Care Home application process If you want to provide care for more than five preschool children, then you need to follow the Child Care Centers application process.preschoolChild Care Centers application process – The number of children you can care for is based upon indoor and outdoor square footage, completed building fire and sanitation inspections and any local zoning ordinances

Child Care Center Application Process: Contact the Division of Child Development and request the Basic Information for Potential Providers booklet.Basic Information for Potential Providers You can call our toll-free number (in-state calls only) or The booklet, available free of charge, describes the state requirements for operating a Child Care Center in North Carolina. Check with your county or city governments to find out if there are additional local standards.

A registration form to attend a Prelicensing Workshop is included with the Basic Information for Potential Providers booklet.Prelicensing Workshop Attendance at a Prelicensing Workshop is required for anyone interested in opening a Child Care Center. The workshop leader will discuss topics such as: Issues to consider in selecting both a site and a building for a Child Care Center The role of building, fire, and sanitation inspectors, as well as the child care consultants Caregiving requirements for young children The cost of the two day Prelicensing Workshop is $ per person. – You will receive a copy of the Child Care Handbook, which describes North Carolina licensing requirements and includes resource materials.North Carolina licensing requirements

After attending the Prelicensing Workshop, you will receive the name and phone number of the Licensing supervisor in your area. The licensing supervisor will assign a child care consultant to work with you. Your consultant will schedule several prelicensing visits with you to talk about the specific licensing requirements for your center and to assist you in completing the application forms. Once it is determined that all applicable requirements have been met, the license will be issued.