Early Educator Support, Licensure and Professional Development (EESLPD) Unit

This section of the website provides information about the Birth-through-Kindergarten (BK) education and licensure requirements for Early Childhood Lead Teachers who are employed by nonpublic schools (NC Pre-K, Developmental Day, Head Start and other Early Childhood programs) who hold, or are eligible for, the BK license. The Early Educator Support, Licensure and Professional Development (EESLPD) Unit administers the Beginning Teacher Support Program, and the Licensure Renewal Program to support Early Childhood Lead teachers at each level of the licensure process - from the lateral entry BK license, to BK SP I (Initial) and SP II (Continuing) licensure. NC Pre-K and Developmental Day Preschool Lead Teachers must enroll with the EESLPD Unit. Please visit EESLPD Enrollment for more information.

What is the NC Birth-through-Kindergarten License?

The North Carolina Birth-through-Kindergarten degree and license prepares early childhood educators to work with young children, from birth through age 5 years, with and without disabilities, including those at-risk, and their families. The pre-service process requires coursework and a student teaching/internship to qualify for a NC Educator's Standard Professional I license issued by the NC State Board of Education. The in-service process requires three years of induction or beginning teacher support, coupled with formal teacher evaluations, resulting in a professional development plan, leading to a North Carolina Birth-through-Kindergarten Standard Professional II license.