How to start a home daycare in North Carolina.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services oversees home daycares in North Carolina. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare North Carolina allows
Family child care home
Up to 10 children, depending on their ages
Care takes place in your home, and the children’s ages set your limit.
Source: Regulated Child Care in NCCenter located in a residence
3 to 15 children, unless space limits the number
It is a child care center that runs in a home.
Source: Child Care Centers: Basic Information for Potential Providers
Starting a home daycare in North Carolina, step by step
Take the pre-licensing workshop
Complete the required one-day Family Child Care Home Pre-Licensing Workshop.
Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a GlanceCheck your zoning
Ask your local zoning and planning office if your home meets child care zoning rules.
Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a GlanceGet written permission if you rent
If you rent or have a homeowners association, get written permission from the owner or HOA.
Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a GlanceComplete a background check
Complete a DCDEE criminal background check online.
Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a GlanceShow a negative TB test
Send proof of a negative tuberculosis test or screening.
Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a GlanceDraw a floor plan
Send a floor plan of your home that marks the rooms used for child care.
Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a GlanceApply and meet your consultant
Send your completed application. The lead child care consultant then sets up a pre-licensing visit.
Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a GlanceRequest your initial assessment
When you meet the requirements, ask the consultant for an initial assessment.
Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a Glance
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). Licenses every family child care home.Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a Glance
- Who can apply
- 21 or older, with a high school diploma or the equivalentSource: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a Glance
- Where you live
- You must live in the home where you give careSource: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a Glance
- Before your license
- No more than 2 unrelated children for more than 4 hoursSource: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a Glance
- First license
- Temporary, for 6 monthsSource: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a Glance
- Mixed ages at home
- Up to 8, with at most 5 aged birth to 5, plus 3 school-ageSource: § 110-91. Mandatory standards for a license.
Good to know
- Your county or city may have its own standards too. Check with them.Source: Regulated Child Care in NC
- Running a family child care home without a license on purpose is a Class I felony.Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a Glance
- To care for babies 12 months or younger, send proof of Infant Toddler Safe Sleep training.Source: Family Child Care Home Licensure: At a Glance
- To care for more than five preschool children, follow the child care center steps instead.Source: Regulated Child Care in NC
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 daycare in North Carolina
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- 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 home daycare in North Carolina?
The first step: Take the pre-licensing workshop. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in North Carolina?
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). Licenses every family child care home.
How many children can a home daycare in North Carolina care for?
Family child care home: Up to 10 children, depending on their ages. Center located in a residence: 3 to 15 children, unless space limits the number.
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.
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