DCDEE Child Care Rules (10A NCAC 09) Compliant

North Carolina ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with North Carolina DCDEE Child Care Rules (10A NCAC 09) regulations. Bloomily helps North Carolina childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for North Carolina licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Under 12 months
1:510 children
ones
12–23 months
1:612 children
twos
2-year-olds (24–35 months)
1:1020 children
threes
3-year-olds (36–47 months)
1:1525 children
fours
4-year-olds (48–59 months)
1:2025 children
School Age (5+ years)
5 years and older; upper bound 156 months (13 years) per convention
1:2525 children

Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.

Required Certifications

Certifications required for North Carolina childcare staff

CPR Certification (North Carolina)

Adult, Child, Infant CPR with hands-on skills component per 10A NCAC 09 .1102

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Criminal Background Check (North Carolina)

NC comprehensive criminal background check per GS 110-90.2

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Emergency Preparedness Training

NC emergency preparedness and response training

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

First Aid Certification (North Carolina)

First Aid certification appropriate to ages of children in care

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep Training

NC required safe sleep training completed within 12 months

Renew annuallyDocument required

ITS-SIDS Training

Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep and SIDS risk reduction training

Document required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Pre-Licensing Workshop

NC DCDEE required pre-licensing workshop covering regulatory compliance, health/safety, business planning

Document required

Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.

Emergency Drill Requirements

Required safety drills for North Carolina childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

10A NCAC 09 .0604(t): fire drills shall be practiced monthly; records per .0302(d)(5)

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t) and (u) (eff. November 1, 2024) — Safety Requirements for Child Care Centers; records per 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(5) and (d)(8); verified via Cornell LII https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/north-carolina/10A-N-C-Admin-Code-09-0604

Lockdown/Security

Quarterly

10A NCAC 09 .0604(u): a shelter-in-place drill OR lockdown drill must be conducted at least every 3 months; either type satisfies the quarterly requirement — conducting one does not require the other separately

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t) and (u) (eff. November 1, 2024) — Safety Requirements for Child Care Centers; records per 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(5) and (d)(8); verified via Cornell LII https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/north-carolina/10A-N-C-Admin-Code-09-0604

Shelter in Place

Quarterly

10A NCAC 09 .0604(u): counts as alternative to lockdown drill — only one of lockdown/shelter_in_place is required per quarter, not both; records per .0302(d)(8)

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t) and (u) (eff. November 1, 2024) — Safety Requirements for Child Care Centers; records per 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(5) and (d)(8); verified via Cornell LII https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/north-carolina/10A-N-C-Admin-Code-09-0604

Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on North Carolina DCDEE Child Care Rules (10A NCAC 09) requirements

Licensing(6)Physical Environment(9)Health Practices(7)Safety Practices(9)Staff Requirements(7)Child Records(7)Supervision(5)

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Licensing

Capacity not exceeded

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Licensing

Written operational policies available

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Licensing

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Licensing

Staff/child ratios posted in each classroom

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum (25-30 sq ft per child)

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area adequate and safe

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0602

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained appropriately

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601

Physical Environment

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601

Physical Environment

Napping equipment clean and appropriate

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601

Physical Environment

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0602

Physical Environment

Health checks performed at arrival

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801

Health Practices

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801

Health Practices

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801

Health Practices

Medications stored and administered properly

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0803

Health Practices

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604

Health Practices

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801

Health Practices

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801

Health Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604

Safety Practices

Smoke detectors working

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604

Safety Practices

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604

Safety Practices

Fire drills conducted monthly

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(5)

Safety Practices

Shelter-in-place drills quarterly

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(8)

Safety Practices

Lockdown drills quarterly

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(8)

Safety Practices

Drill records include date, time, duration, signature

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Safety Practices

Emergency preparedness plan posted

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0607

Safety Practices

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604

Safety Practices

Criminal background checks current for all staff

Ref: GS 110-90.2

Staff Requirements

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0705

Staff Requirements

CPR certification current (all caregivers)

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .1102

Staff Requirements

First Aid certification current

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .1102

Staff Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713

Staff Requirements

ITS-SIDS training completed (infant caregivers)

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .1102

Staff Requirements

Staff qualifications on file

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0706

Staff Requirements

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Child Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Child Records

Immunization records on file

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801

Child Records

Health assessment documented

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Child Records

Allergy/special needs documented

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Child Records

Attendance records maintained

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .1801

Supervision

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Supervision

Infants under 12 mo separate from 2+ years

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713

Supervision

Multi-age group plans documented (if applicable)

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713

Supervision

Inspection reports posted visibly for parents

Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302

Supervision

Track your North Carolina compliance digitally

Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.

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North Carolina compliance and operations resources

Health and safety featuresTrack incidents, medication, immunizations, and safety workflows.Ratio calculatorCalculate staff-to-child ratios for your classrooms.Attendance softwareMonitor rosters, ratios, check-in, and pickup in real time.Daycare management softwareRun compliance, attendance, billing, and parent communication together.Daily reports guideImprove parent communication with consistent daily reports.Meal tracking guidePlan meal records, parent updates, and billing connections.

Nearby State Requirements

GeorgiaSouth CarolinaTennesseeVirginia

Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.

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Ready to simplify North Carolina compliance?

Join childcare centers across North Carolina that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.

Real-time staff-to-child ratio monitoring
Automated certification expiration alerts
Pre-inspection checklist management
Emergency drill scheduling and tracking
Digital parent communication
Mobile check-in/check-out kiosks

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