Keep an eye on your inbox for the 2024 annual license fee invoice. Invoices will be emailed to the facility addresses on file by November 30, 2024. Online payments will be due by December 31, 2024.
In accordance with North Carolina General Statute § 110-90(1a), licensed child care facilities are assessed an annual license fee. The amount of your annual license fee is based on the licensed capacity printed on your license as of October 1, 2024, not the number of children enrolled at your facility. Please note that annual license fees do not apply to state or public school-operated child care facilities, or to religious-sponsored facilities operating under a Notice of Compliance.
The Division of Child Development and Early Education remains available to assist you. For questions regarding license fees, visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on our website. For further assistance regarding your annual license fee, please email [email protected].
Thank you for your continued partnership!
RFA to be re-released.
The Division of Child Development and Early Education has decided to postpone the Request for Applications for Child Care Resources and Referral Services Program. This RFA will be re-released at a later date.
Read the 2023 Workforce Study
Read the Executive Summary for the 2023 Workforce Study
The pandemic exacerbated what has been a long-in-the-making national child care crisis. At
the heart of the problem is a flawed and unsustainable funding model where it is impossible
to recoup the true cost of the services provided. As the Working in Early Care and Education
in North Carolina: 2023 Workforce Study shows, this flawed model drives down pay and
makes it difficult to recruit and retain providers.
The Division of Child Development and Early Education in partnership with Child Care Services Association has released the latest statewide study of the early care and education workforce. Top findings from the report include:
- The early childhood workforce often earns too little to meet their basic needs.
- More teachers are leaving their jobs and many plan to leave the field altogether.
- Child care stabilization grants likely reduced the loss of child care centers during this time period. However, there was a significant decrease in family home providers.
- Many teachers are highly educated, but overall have fewer years of education than in 2019.
- Most teachers are female and disproportionately Black/African American.
DCDEE is pleased to announce the release of the Request for Applications for “Increasing Access to Child Care for Families Experiencing Homelessness"
The purpose of this request for applications is to increase access to child care for families experiencing homelessness by conducting outreach to connect families to high quality educational programs and subsidy services.
Up to $250,000 will be available to support the RFA for two-year funding cycle 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. Approximately $250,000 will be available to support Year 1 funding and $250,000 for Year 2 funding. DCDEE will determine the actual funding amount based on the proposed execution of the project and the utilization of funds as outlined in the successful applicant’s proposal, pending funding availability.
Eligibility requirements are included in the RFA.
Applications are due by 5:00 pm on September 6, 2024.
Q&A deadline has been extended to until 5:00 p.m., on Monday August 26,2024.
Application Face Sheet RFA # 002
Request for Applications: Increasing Access to Child Care for Families Experiencing Homelessness
Line Item Budget Template
Line Item Budget and Narrative Instructions
The Governor signed Senate Bill 425 (now Session Law 2024-34), Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill, which includes the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Modifications recommended to the Legislature by the NC Child Care Commission to update QRIS and create additional pathways for licensed child care facilities to earn star rated licenses. The Child Care Commission is currently in the process of drafting proposed child care rule language to begin the rulemaking process for implementing the new requirements. The next Child Care Commission Meetings are scheduled for July 16, 2024 (by WebEx only) and September 9, 2024 (in-person at 333 East Six Forks Road, Raleigh, Room 165 and by WebEx). The rulemaking process will include publishing of proposed revised rules as well as a public hearing and public comment period.
Hold Harmless provisions have been extended and star rated license assessments for licensed child care providers will be conducted by provider request only, until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs.
This legislation also provides a pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies to move to a 3 or 5 star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers will need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing.