How to start a daycare in North Carolina.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services licenses child care centers in North Carolina. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
Opening a child care center in North Carolina, step by step
Read the basic information booklet
Read the Basic Information for Potential Providers booklet. It lists the state rules for a center.
Source: Regulated Child Care in NCAttend the pre-licensing workshop
Attend both days of the two-day pre-licensing workshop. It is required to run a licensed center.
Source: Child Care Centers: Basic Information for Potential ProvidersSend your application and floor plan
Complete the Application-Facility Profile and a floor plan. They go to the lead child care consultant for your county.
Source: Child Care Centers: Basic Information for Potential ProvidersMeet with your lead consultant
Your lead child care consultant visits several times. They explain the rules and help with your forms.
Source: Regulated Child Care in NCPass building, fire and sanitation inspections
Your building must pass all its inspections before a license can be issued.
Source: Child Care Centers: Basic Information for Potential ProvidersComplete criminal background checks
You and every employee complete the criminal background check process online.
Source: Child Care Centers: Basic Information for Potential ProvidersGet your license
Once you meet all the requirements, your license is issued.
Source: Regulated Child Care in NC
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). Licenses and monitors child care programs, and gives them technical help.Source: About the Division of Child Development and Early Education
- Child care center
- 3 or more preschool-age children, or 9 or more school-age children, at one timeSource: § 110-86. Definitions.
- Indoor space
- At least 25 square feet per childSource: Child Care Centers: Basic Information for Potential Providers
- Outdoor space
- At least 75 square feet of fenced play space for each child outsideSource: Child Care Centers: Basic Information for Potential Providers
- Largest group
- 25 children at most, and smaller for some agesSource: Child Care Centers: Basic Information for Potential Providers
- Background checks
- Done before each person starts workSource: Child Care Centers: Basic Information for Potential Providers
Good to know
- Your county or city may have its own standards too. Check with them.Source: Regulated Child Care in NC
- Before you build or remodel, the local health department and building inspector must approve your plans.Source: Child Care Centers: Basic Information for Potential Providers
Run a program in North Carolina? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in North Carolina
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- North Carolina licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in North Carolina?
The first step: Read the basic information booklet. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in North Carolina?
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). Licenses and monitors child care programs, and gives them technical help.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in North Carolina?
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