North Carolina childcare licensing requirements.
Ratios, group sizes, certifications, and drills for North Carolina. Per DCDEE Child Care Rules (10A NCAC 09). Bloomily tracks every one of them live, so the paperwork is ready before anyone asks.
Staff-to-child ratios in North Carolina
| Age group | Ratio | Max group size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0-12 months) | 1:5 | 10 |
| ones | 1:6 | 12 |
| twos | 1:10 | 20 |
| threes | 1:15 | 25 |
| fours | 1:20 | 25 |
| School Age (5+ years) | 1:25 | 25 |
Per DCDEE Child Care Rules (10A NCAC 09). Ratios in Bloomily are computed live from real check-ins against these limits.
Required certifications
Adult, Child, Infant CPR with hands-on skills component per 10A NCAC 09 .1102
Renews every 24 months
NC comprehensive criminal background check per GS 110-90.2
Renews every 60 months
NC emergency preparedness and response training
Renews every 24 months
First Aid certification appropriate to ages of children in care
Renews every 24 months
NC required safe sleep training completed within 12 months
Renews every 12 months
Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep and SIDS risk reduction training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
NC DCDEE required pre-licensing workshop covering regulatory compliance, health/safety, business planning
Drill requirements
| Drill | Frequency | Required |
|---|---|---|
| fire | monthly | Yes |
| lockdown | quarterly | Yes |
| shelter_in_place | quarterly | Yes |
North Carolina DCDEE Pre-Inspection Checklist
- License displayed in prominent location
- Capacity not exceeded
- Operating within licensed hours
- Written operational policies available
- Parent handbook current and distributed
- Staff/child ratios posted in each classroom
- Indoor space meets minimum (25-30 sq ft per child)
- Outdoor play area adequate and safe
- Temperature maintained appropriately
- Adequate lighting in all areas
- Toilets clean and child-accessible
- Handwashing facilities available
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