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Child Care Rules, Law, and Public Information

North Carolina Child Care Rules and Law

Laws governing child care are made by the N.C. General Assembly.
Rules to implement the law are made by the N.C. Child Care Commission.
How to Request Public Records

Public Notices

Corporal Punishment Rule Amendment

10A NCAC 09 .2102

The NC Child Care Commission is proposing amendments to Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2102 to further define "corporal punishment" and clarify discipline policy requirements for religious-sponsored child care facilities as defined in G.S. 110-91(10). These amendments aim to provide clear regulations for such facilities that opt to administer corporal punishment. The proposed parameters are intended to ensure compliance with statutory allowances and protect children from maltreatment.

Read the Proposed Amendment and OSBM Approved Fiscal Analysis

 

Two Through Five Star Rated Licenses Proposed Repeal

10A NCAC 09 .2801, .2802, .2806, .2809, .2817, .2818, .2819, .2820, .2821, .2822, .2823, .2824, .2825, .2827, .2828, .2829, .2830, .2831

This set of rules is being repealed by the NC Child Care Commission in response to the adoption of Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .3200, following Session Laws 2023-40 and 2024-34 regarding the modernization of the state’s quality rating improvement system (QRIS). QRIS is based on a star-rating licensing system that applies to child care centers and family child care homes that meet all minimum child care requirements which include but are not limited to health and safety standards and those who voluntarily choose to meet higher standards. The proposed repeal of 10A NCAC 09 Section .2800 removes former QRIS requirements which are no longer applicable to licensed child care facilities in North Carolina with the adoption of Section .3200 which became effective July 1, 2025.

Read the Proposed Repeal and OSBM Approved Fiscal Analysis

Proposed Effective Date: April 1, 2026

Public Hearing
Date: November 3, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: NC Department of Health and Human Services Building, Training Room A/B and by WebEx

Physical Building Address

1915 Health Services Way, Training Room A/B 

Raleigh, NC 27607

 Parking Deck Address

1910 Human Services Lane

 Raleigh, NC 27607

Comments may be submitted by November 14, 2025 to: 

Julie Peck, DCDEE Rulemaking Coordinator
2201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2201
[email protected]


Periodic Review of Existing Child Care Rules

As part of the periodic review of rules required by state law, the Child Care Commission (“Commission”) has made initial determinations on whether each child care rule is necessary or unnecessary. The Commission invites public comments on its initial determinations from October 2 to January 22, 2025.

"Public comment" is defined by G.S. 150B-21.3A(a)(5) as a written objection to all or part of a rule. Additionally, pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A(c)(2), in order for the Rules Review Commission to determine whether the public comment has merit, the public comment must address the specific substance of the rule and address any of the standards of Commission review, as set forth in G.S. 150B-21.9(a).

10A NCAC 09 Report with Initial Determinations 

Comments should be directed to:
Child Care Commission
2201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2201
Attn: Julie Peck
[email protected]

Additional information regarding the Periodic Review and Expiration of Existing Rules can be found at https://www.oah.nc.gov/rules-division/periodic-review-and-expiration-existing-rules.


Notice of Public Hearing on the North Carolina Child Care and Development Fund Plan

Read the DRAFT NC CCDF Plan 2025-2027   


 

links to resources for professional development, environment rating scales, outdoor learning environments, social-emotional development and more

 

Guide to Frequently Used Acronyms in Early Care and Education

The Division of Child Development and Early Education is moving October 1, 2025! 

DCDEE is joining our Department of Health and Human Services colleagues in the new DHHS headquarters just across the street from the NC Museum of Art.

Our mailing address is unchanged: 2201 Mail Service Center | Raleigh, NC 27699-2200.

Our new physical address is 1915 Health Services Way, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Our last day in the Six Forks office will be September 26.

We’ll be in the new building beginning October 1 and the November 3rd Child Care Commission meeting will be held there.

 

 

 

2201 Mail Service Center | Raleigh, NC 27699-2200
919-814-6300 | 1-800-859-0829 (In State Only)
[email protected]

 

 
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