# data[].attributes.body
Explain the licensing process and who is regulated by the Division of Child Development and Early Education and why?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
NC DHHS: Division of Child Development and Early Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Who is regulated by the Division of Child Development and Early Education?

If you are caring for more than two children who aren't related to you for more than four hours a day, you might need to be licensed. If you do not meet any of the exemption scenarios provided below, then you need to apply for a license. The exemptions are:

Recreational programs operated for less than four consecutive months in a year

Specialized activities or instruction such as athletics, dance, art, music lessons, horseback riding, gymnastics, or organized clubs for children, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H groups, or boys and girls clubs

Drop-in or short-term care provided while parents participate in activities that are not employment related and where the parents are on the premises or otherwise easily accessible, such as drop-in or short-term care provided in health spas, bowling alleys, shopping malls, resort hotels, or churches

Public Schools

Nonpublic schools that are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and that operate a child care facility for less than six and one-half hours per day

Vacation Bible Schools

Centers and Homes located on federal property over which the federal government has control (military bases and the Cherokee Indian reservation)

Cooperative arrangements among parents to provide care for their own children as a convenience rather than for employment

Any child care program or arrangement consisting of two or more separate components, each of which operates for four hours or less per day with different children attending each component

How Do I Become Licensed?

Determine the kind of child care program you want to offer. This is important because the application/forms vary based on size and type of program.

If you want to provide care in your home for a maximum of five preschool children, or up to eight children if at least three are school-aged, then you need to follow the Family Child Care Home Process for Licensure

If you want to provide care for more than five preschool children, then you need to follow the Child Care Centers application process. The number of children you can care for is based upon indoor and outdoor square footage, completed building fire and sanitation inspections and any local zoning ordinances

Child Care Center Application Process:

1. Review the Basic Information for Potential Providers booklet. This booklet describes the state requirements for operating a Child Care Center in North Carolina. Check with your county or city governments to find out if there are additional local standards. If you have questions or concerns related to the application process, contact the Division of Child Development and Early Education by calling our toll-free number 800.859.0829 (in-state calls only) or 919.814.6300.

2. Register to attend a Prelicensing Workshop:

Issues to consider in selecting both a site and a building for a Child Care Center

The role of building, fire and sanitation inspectors, as well as the child care consultants

Caregiving requirements for young children

The cost of the two day Prelicensing Workshop is $135 per person.

3. Attendance at a Prelicensing Workshop is required for anyone interested in opening a Child Care Center. The workshop leader will discuss:
​Prior to attending the Prelicensing Workshop, review the Quality Costs Resource Guide. This guide outlines the early care and education system in North Carolina and identifies key resources to assist you with preparing to provide quality child care. On day two of the Prelicensing Workshop, the workshop leader will go over pieces of this information. You are encouraged to bring a copy of this guide to the workshop.

4. At the Prelicensing Workshop (and available in the menu section of the registration page), you will receive the name and phone number of the Lead Child Care Consultant in your area. Your Lead Child Care Consultant will schedule several prelicensing visits with you to talk about the specific licensing requirements for your center and to assist you in completing the application forms. Refer to the Prelicensing Guide to assist you with next steps.

5. Once it is determined that all applicable requirements have been met, the license will be issued.

Family Child Care Home:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Who is regulated by the Division of Child Development and Early Education? If you are caring for more than two children who aren't related to you for more than four hours a day, you might need to be licensed. If you do not meet any of the exemption scenarios provided below, then you need to apply for a license.

# data[].attributes.headline
What are some steps a child care facility should take to prepare for an assessment visit? What does the Director do? What do the teachers need to know?

# data[].attributes.subject
What are some steps a child care facility should take to prepare for an assessment visit? What does the Director do? What do the teachers need to know?

# data[].attributes.headline
How is quality assessed using the NC Environmental Rating Scales and what should your child care facility expect during an assessment visit?

# data[].attributes.subject
How is quality assessed using the NC Environmental Rating Scales and what should your child care facility expect during an assessment visit?

# data[].attributes.headline
What are the benefits to becoming a NAEYC accredited child care facility? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What are the benefits to becoming a NAEYC accredited child care facility? 

# data[].attributes.headline
Explain the difference between NC licensing law and rules, Environmental Rating Scales Assessments and NAEYC Accreditation. Be clear in explaining how they impact a child care center. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Explain the difference between NC licensing law and rules, Environmental Rating Scales Assessments and NAEYC Accreditation. Be clear in explaining how they impact a child care center. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Share your ideas as to how you can use Foundations: North Carolina’s Early Learning Standards as a resource for teachers (yourself) and families of young children.

# data[].attributes.subject
Share your ideas as to how you can use Foundations: North Carolina’s Early Learning Standards as a resource for teachers (yourself) and families of young children.

# data[].attributes.headline
Which child care facilities in Johnston County are NAEYC accredited?

# data[].attributes.subject
Which child care facilities in Johnston County are NAEYC accredited?

# data[].attributes.headline
While on the DCDEE website pretend you are a parent searching for a 4 or 5 star childcare center in Benson, NC (Johnston County). Use the search engine on the site and then answer the following questions (note the “tabs” in the search area as they will help you find the answers to all of these): (1) Name of center (2) License effective date (3) Last DCD visit and type of visit - NOT the sanitation inspection date. (4) Have there been any administrative actions in the past 3 years.  (yes or no).  If yes, what were they? 

# data[].attributes.subject
While on the DCDEE website pretend you are a parent searching for a 4 or 5 star childcare center in Benson, NC (Johnston County). Use the search engine on the site and then answer the following questions (note the “tabs” in the search area as they will help you find the answers to all of these): (1) Name of center (2) License effective date (3) Last DCD visit and type of visit - NOT the sanitation inspection date. (4) Have there been any administrative actions in the past 3 years.  (yes or no).  If yes, what were they? 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
NC DHHS: Division of Child Development and Early Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education makes every effort to provide information parents need to make the best possible choices regarding child care.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
NC DHHS: Division of Child Development and Early Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Overview

In September 2000, the Division issued star rated licenses to child care centers and family child care homes meeting all minimum child care requirements as well as those choosing to meet higher standards . Under the original star rated license, facilities were evaluated on three components:

Staff Education

Program Standards

In 2005, the Division changed the way facilities earned stars in order to more accurately reflect indicators of a program's quality. Currently, facilities are evaluated on two components:

Staff education

Program Standards

In addition, programs having a two-component license can earn a "quality point" for meeting enhanced standards for staff education and program standards.

Note: Religious-sponsored child care programs continue to operate with a Notice of Compliance and do not receive a star rating unless they choose to apply.

Compliance History

Before evaluating a program to determine star rating, license programs are monitored to ensure they meet minimum standards. A facility's compliance history score is determined to show the program meets a certain percentage of the minimum standards for licensed facilities. For licenses or Notice of Compliance issued to a child care facility, the facility must maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past 18 months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. The Division calculates the visit compliance score by taking the total possible points for items monitored at a visit and calculating the percentage of compliance based upon the actual points awarded. The compliance history of a facility is calculated by averaging each visit compliance score over 18 months.

Sample Compliance History Assessment 18 Months
Regulatory Visit Types

Center Documents:
Monitoring Requirements for Child Care Centers
Child Care Center Item Number Listing

Family Child Care Home Documents:
Monitoring Requirements for Family Child Care Homes
Family Child Care Home Item Number Listing

Why "Star Rated Licenses"?

North Carolina moved to this system in 2000 for many reasons. It allows child care programs to be recognized for the higher quality care that it was already providing. In the previous system, the program's individual strengths were not highlighted. For Family Child Care Homes, there was not any way to indicate being recognized for providing higher quality care.

Be sure to explore other pertinent star rated license information in order to:

Star Rated License Sample

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Overview In September 2000, the Division issued star rated licenses to child care centers and family child care homes meeting all minimum child care requirements as well as those choosing to meet higher standards .

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It is common for child care providers to have questions about their assessment report(s). We encourage you to share your questions with your child care consultant. Then you and/or your child care consultant may decide to call our office with any questions; your call will be forwarded to the appropriate staff person who will address your questions.

# data[].attributes.body
This video provides information related to the NC Rated License Assessment Process for child care programs that will be assessed using the Environment Rating Scales (ITERS-R- infant/toddler environment rating scale revised; ECERS-R- early childhood environment rating scale revised; FCCERS-R-family child care environment rating scale-revised or SACERS- school age care environment rating scale updated)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Benefits of NAEYC Accreditation (Official Video)

# data[].attributes.headline
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

# data[].attributes.subject
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
National Association for the Education of Young Children

# data[].attributes.headline
NAEYC Accreditation - The Right Choice for Kids

# data[].attributes.subject
NAEYC Accreditation - The Right Choice for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
NAEYC Accreditation   The Right Choice for Kids OFFICIAL VIDEO

# data[].attributes.body
There is not one single source to help with question #6.  You will have to understand enough about NAEYC accreditation, the licensing rules/laws and environmental rating scales so that you can answer this question correctly.  All of that is here within these links, but you will  have to study it to answer this question. This question has you comparing & contrasting.  Things to think about that might help..

*Are some of these "national" and others "NC" processes?

*Are some of these "required" and others "voluntary"?

*Are any of these components (parts) of others?

Etc...

# data[].attributes.headline
NC Foundations for Early Learning & Development (NC FELD)

# data[].attributes.subject
NC Foundations for Early Learning & Development (NC FELD)

# data[].attributes.body
NC's Early Learning Framework

Read the introduction beginning on page 1 to help you answer question #7.

# data[].attributes.body
Use the "find accredited programs link" at the top of this website to search for nationally accredited programs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NAEYC Accreditation helps families recognize quality early learning programs and feel comfortable knowing that their children are receiving a high-quality, research-based education that will prepare them for future success.