State Budget Language About New Family Childcare Ratio
As part of the budget bill, NC General Statute 110-86(3)(b) defining family child care homes (FCCH) and NC General Statute 110-91(7)(b) regarding FCCH capacity was revised. The new capacity options in statute are as follows:
"A family childcare home is allowed to provide care for one of the following groups of children, including the operator's own preschool-age children and excluding the operator's own school-age children up to 13 years of age:
- A maximum of eight children, with no more than five children who are from birth to 5 years of age, plus three school-age children.
- A maximum of three children from birth to 24 months of age, plus three children from 2 to 5 years of age and three school-age children up to 13 years of age, for a total of nine children.
- A maximum of 10 children if all children are older than 24 months of age.
Caution: A change in capacity requires a new permit be issued. FCCH Operators interested in an increase in their capacity will need to provide a written request to their consultant with verification there are no local zoning ordinances or homeowner association bylaws/covenants that prohibit the increase. In addition to local ordinances, the Division is working with the Department of Insurance to determine if an increase in capacity will affect the residential occupancy group for a FCCH which may require additional code requirements be met. Additional information is forthcoming. We thank you in advance for your patience as we work to ensure all applicable requirements are met.