North Carolina Child Care

Licensing

2.01 Notes
 Critical Questions

Journal Question:
Why does NC require licensing of child
care centers?
Why does NC require licensing?

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
 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
 Temporary: Types of Licenses
Operators who open a new center
Provisional:
Operators who fail to meet standards
Center is making an effort to meet requirements but havent
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 centers
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 centers
ability to obtain a license? And, if
A. No,
so, which notof
type required
document would
be needed?
B. Yes, Childrens 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
A. All programs must have child
at least care
a Two-Star
rules." Which
Rated Licensemeans
to operatethe same
in this state. as
B. Programs who do not meet basic requirements
this?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,
A. continual
Child care programsor hazardous
may remain opento the
unless
violations
health andare hazardous
safety to the children.
of children." Which
B. This permit allows a day care to remain open
means the same as this?
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
A. The centerstandards."
has hazards for the Which
children that need
to be corrected so a star license can be issued.
means
B.The the same
applicant as this?
is making reasonable efforts to
conform to requirements but hasnt fully complied.
C. This is a permanent license that cant 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
A. centers
means the sameonly have to meet
as this? Tobasic
requirements.
receive a license:
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."
A. are requiredWhich means
to meet the the
same licensing
standards as other child care programs.
same as this? Child care programs
B.may operate with a notice of compliance
in churches: 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
A. Child carethat pertain to child
programs are not required to
health, safety, and
follow local welfare."
zoning laws.
Which means
B. Child the same
care programs haveas this?
their own
separate zoning regulations to follow.
C. Child care programs have to follow zoning
laws in the area in which they are located.