North Carolina Child Care Licensing

2.01 Notes

Critical Questions

Journal Question:

Why does NC require licensing of child care centers?

• To protect the rights of people • To protect those who cannot

protect themselves (children) • To prevent unnecessary harm • To regulate groups that serve the

needs of our public

Why does NC require licensing?

Licensing Information and Procedures

• Licensing agency: Dept. of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development

• Issuance of Permit: Must apply for a permit first• Pre-licensing: Potential providers are encouraged to

attend pre-licensing workshops• Local zoning requirements: Facility must comply with

State Laws and local ordinances (health, safety, welfare)• Application for license: Must apply using a form

provided by the Division of Child Dev. and submit prior to inspection from the Division

• Issuance of License: Must demonstrate the ability to comply with requirements. Includes room arrangement, staffing, appropriate equipment, and supplies.

• Issuance of temporary license: Issues to operators who open a new center or previously owned center when a change of ownership or location occurs.– Up to 6 months

Types of Licenses• Temporary: – Operators who open a new center

• Provisional:– Operators who fail to meet standards– Center is making an effort to meet requirements but haven’t been fully met

yet– Up to 12 months

• Special provisional:– When child abuse or neglect has occurred in center– Up to 6 months

• Probationary:– When a violation has been willful, continual or hazardous – Up to 1 year– Center remains open during this time

…Types of Licenses• Rated:

– Based on program standards, education level of staff, and compliance history

– 1 Star Rated:• Meets minimum requirements in each component• Minimum compliance history of 60%

– Higher Level Rated:• Meet higher voluntary requirements• Based on program standards, ed. Levels of staff and

compliance history• Centers ear up to 5 pts. In each component of Rated License• Total points determine number of stars

Compliance History…

• Compliance history score generated before receiving Rated License

• Based on compliance for 3 years

• Point values based on degree of threat to health and safety

3 Required Inspections

• 1. Building Codes and Inspections – Must either meet Building Codes for centers in a residence or for Educational or Institutional Occupancy

• 2. Fire Inspections – By a local fire inspector to meet NC Fire Codes

• 3. Sanitation Inspections – By a local Environmental Health Specialist from the county health department prior to receiving a license and annually thereafter

2.01 Pre-Test

If a center failed to keep a monthly record of the outside play area, could that affect the center’s ability to obtain a license? And, if so, which type of document would be needed? 

• A. No, not on the list • B. No, not required

• C. Yes, Playground Inspection Reports

After being sick, if a child still requires a prescription be given, can the child return to child care? And, if so, what document would be needed? 

A. No, not on the list • B. No, not required

• C. Yes, Record of Medications Administered

If a center failed to keep track of how many days children missed due to sickness or other reasons, could that affect the center’s ability to obtain a license? And, if so, which type of document would be needed? 

• A. No, not required • B. Yes, Children’s Records

• C. Yes, Daily Attendance Records

A Child Care Rule states: "A Two-Five Star Rated License will be issued to child care operators who meet the higher voluntary requirements of the child care rules." Which means the same as this?  • A. All programs must have at least a Two-Star Rated License

to operate in this state. • B. Programs who do not meet basic requirements can

choose to earn two to five stars. • C. Programs who meet additional requirements beyond the

minimum can earn up to five stars.

A Child Care Rule states: "A Probationary License is a permit that may be issued to child care providers when it is determined that a violation of the statutes or rules has been willful, continual or hazardous to the health and safety of children." Which means the same as this?  • A. Child care programs may remain open unless violations

are hazardous to the children. • B. This permit allows a day care to remain open while

corrections are made. • C. Probationary license means problems have been found

and must be corrected to reopen.

A Child Care Rule states: "A Provisional License is a permit that may be issued to child care providers who fail to meet minimum standards." Which means the same as this? 

• A. The center has hazards for the children that need to be corrected so a star license can be issued.

• B. The applicant is making reasonable efforts to conform to requirements but hasn’t fully complied.

• C. This is a permanent license that can’t be changed.

A Child Care Rule states: "A One-Star Rated License may be issued to all child care centers that meet the minimum requirements for the issuance of a license." Which means the same as this? To receive a license: 

• A. centers only have to meet basic requirements. • B. centers only have to meet requirements for religious-

sponsored centers. • C. centers only have to meet fire and sanitation

requirements.

A NC General Statute allows "religious-sponsored child care centers the option of being issued a license or a notice of compliance." Which means the same as this? Child care programs in churches: 

• A. are required to meet the same licensing standards as other child care programs.

• B. may operate with a notice of compliance instead of a license.

• C. who take the exemptions are not required to meet any of the child care licensing requirements.

A General Statute states: "Local Zoning Requirements: All child care facilities must comply with all state and federal laws and local ordinances that pertain to child health, safety, and welfare." Which means the same as this?  • A. Child care programs are not required to follow local

zoning laws. • B. Child care programs have their own separate zoning

regulations to follow. • C. Child care programs have to follow zoning laws in the area

in which they are located.