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
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This set of rules is being repealed by the NC Child Care Commission in response to the adoption of Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .3200, following Session Laws 2023-40 and 2024-34 regarding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 The proposed repeal of 10A NCAC 09 Section .2800 removes former QRIS requirements which are no longer applicable to licensed child care facilities in North Carolina with the adoption of Section .3200 which became effective July 1, 2025.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
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