What does the law define
Applying for a Child
Care License by the
Division of Child
Development
820 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC
27603
childcare as?
The law defines the childcare as :
● There are 3 or more children under 13
●
years of age
Receiving care from a non-relative
License Agency & What’s it’s ● On a regular basis- at least once a
purpose? ●
week
Also for more than four hours per day
but less than 24 hours
DCDEE is the licensing agency for all childcare
in North Carolina. DCDEE stands for the
Division of Development and Early Education.
It’s purpose is to reflect the growing
significance of childcare and to ensure quality
standards and access for families.
Steps to obtain a license :
1. Attend the pre-licensing
workshops
2. Fill application out / Apply
3. Get all inspections - fire,
sanitation, and building
4. Pay the fees
 Types of license
Temporary License: A permit that is issued
to the operator of new center or when the
location or ownerships changes to a
previously licensed center. This last up to
6 months.
Provisional License: A permit that is
issued if the division determines that the
applicant is making a reasonable effort to
conform to the requirements but has yet to
achieve full compliance. This last up to 1
year.
Special Provisional License: A permit that
is issued when determined that child
abuse or neglect has occurred in a center.
This last up to 6 months.
Probationary License: A permit issued
when determined that a violation of the
child care law or rules has been willful,
continual, or hazardous to the health and
safety of children. This last up to 1 year.
Star-Rated License: A permit issued when
a child care facility that meets standards
that are established in child care law and
rules. This is issued when in operation for
a minimum of 6 months.
Education Requirements for
Staff
Administrators have to be at least 21 and
have a North Carolina Early Childhood
Administration Credential or equivalent.
Lead teachers must be at least 18 and have
a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential
or equivalent.
Training
● Planning a safe, healthy learning
environment
● Steps to advance children's
physical and intellectual
development Discipline and behavior
● Positive ways to support children's
social and emotional development management:
● Strategies to manage an effective All programs must have policy written for
program operation discipline and also talk about it with parents.
● Maintaining a commitment to When changes occur it must be shared and
professionalism go over in written with parents before it goes
● Observing and recording children's into effect. All physical discipline is
behavior principles of child growth prohibited in all centers and child care
and development homes. The religious sponsored programs
● Learning activities that promote are exempt from corporal punishment when
inclusion with children with special it is part of their religious training.
needs