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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

Special Meeting of the Child Care Commission to be held April 22, 2025

Public Notice for Child CareCommission February 3, 2025

Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Modernization Proposed Rule Amendments and Adoptions

10A NCAC 09 .0102, .2902, .2905, .3002, .3009, .3010, .3201, .3202, .3203, .3204, .3205, .3206, .3207, .3208, .3209, .3210, .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216, .3217, .3218, .3219, .3220, .3221, .3222, .3223, .3224, .3225, .3226

This set of rules is proposed for adoption and amendment by the NC Child Care Commission in response to 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 rules incorporate all the elements of QRIS required by legislation as well as additional changes necessary for administrative clarity. The rules preserve the integrity of the state’s existing QRIS while providing more options for child care facilities to demonstrate and meet quality standards. These options include adjustments to current requirements related to staff/child ratio and enrollment that will result in more availability for families, options for early childhood education professionals to meet
education standards at all star levels, and a choice of three licensure pathways to earn a Star Rated License. This will enable operators to demonstrate quality care practices by meeting standards that best fit the needs of the families they serve and the early childhood education professionals they employ.

Read the Proposed Amendments and Adoptions

Read the OSBM Approved Fiscal Analysis 

Proposed Effective Date: August 1, 2025

Public Hearing:
Date: March 26, 2025
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Location: 333 Six Forks Road, Room 165, Raleigh, NC 27609 and By WebEx

Comments may be submitted by April 4, 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   

Proposed Rule Amendments 10A NCAC 09 .0713 Staff/Child Ratios for Centers

This rule establishes allowable staff/child ratios and capacity for child care centers. Proposed amendments to this rule align ratios and capacity for centers located in a residence with those already allowed in nonresidential child care centers for children ages 3 years and older. Specifically, proposed staff/child ratios for centers located in a residence are increased from 1/12 to 1/15 for children ages three and older. This aligns with existing staff/child ratios for child care centers who do not operate in a residential setting. This change applies only to centers located in a residence that have a licensed capacity of 13 to 15 children.

10A NCAC 09 .0713 Proposed Amendment

OSBM Approved Fiscal Analysis

Proposed Effective Date:  November 1, 2024

Public Hearing:
Date: July 16, 2024
Time:  11:30 a.m.
Location: By WebEx

Comments may be submitted to: 

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

Comment period ends:  August 30, 2024

Resources for Building Quality Settings in Early Care and Education

Environment Rating Scales

Outdoor Learning Environments

Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS)

Professional Development

Social-Emotional Development

Infant & Child Health

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

North Carolina Depertment of Health and Human Services
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