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.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for North Carolina licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants 0-12 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
ones 12-24 months | 1:6 | 12 children |
twos 2-3 years | 1:10 | 20 children |
threes 3-4 years | 1:15 | 25 children |
fours 4-5 years | 1:20 | 25 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 5+ years | 1:25 | 25 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
Criminal Background Check (North Carolina)
NC comprehensive criminal background check per GS 110-90.2
Emergency Preparedness Training
NC emergency preparedness and response training
First Aid Certification (North Carolina)
First Aid certification appropriate to ages of children in care
Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep Training
NC required safe sleep training completed within 12 months
ITS-SIDS Training
Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep and SIDS risk reduction training
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Pre-Licensing Workshop
NC DCDEE required pre-licensing workshop covering regulatory compliance, health/safety, business planning
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 fire drills required, records must include date, time, evacuation duration, conductor signature
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(5)
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown drills at least every 3 months
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(8)
Shelter in Place
Shelter-in-place drills at least every 3 months
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(8)
Recommended Drills
Severe Weather
Severe weather/hurricane drills recommended for coastal areas
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
License displayed in prominent location
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Capacity not exceeded
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713
Operating within licensed hours
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Written operational policies available
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Parent handbook current and distributed
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Staff/child ratios posted in each classroom
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713
Indoor space meets minimum (25-30 sq ft per child)
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713
Outdoor play area adequate and safe
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0602
Temperature maintained appropriately
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601
Adequate lighting in all areas
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601
Handwashing facilities available
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601
Drinking water readily accessible
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601
Napping equipment clean and appropriate
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0601
Outdoor equipment safe and maintained
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0602
Health checks performed at arrival
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801
Handwashing procedures followed
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801
Diapering area sanitized properly
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801
Medications stored and administered properly
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0803
First aid supplies stocked and accessible
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604
Illness exclusion policy enforced
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801
Fire extinguishers inspected
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604
Smoke detectors working
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604
Emergency exits marked and unobstructed
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604
Fire drills conducted monthly
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(5)
Shelter-in-place drills quarterly
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(8)
Lockdown drills quarterly
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(8)
Drill records include date, time, duration, signature
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Emergency preparedness plan posted
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0607
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0604
Criminal background checks current for all staff
Ref: GS 110-90.2
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0705
CPR certification current (all caregivers)
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .1102
First Aid certification current
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .1102
Staff-to-child ratios maintained
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713
ITS-SIDS training completed (infant caregivers)
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .1102
Staff qualifications on file
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0706
Enrollment forms complete
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Emergency contact information current
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Immunization records on file
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801
Health assessment documented
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0801
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Allergy/special needs documented
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Attendance records maintained
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Children supervised at all times
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .1801
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Infants under 12 mo separate from 2+ years
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713
Multi-age group plans documented (if applicable)
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0713
Inspection reports posted visibly for parents
Ref: 10A NCAC 09 .0302
Track your North Carolina compliance digitally
Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
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