North Carolina Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers

Eff. January 1, 1986; Amended Eff. July 1, 1988; Repealed Eff. November 1, 1989.

The terms and phrases used in this Subchapter shall be defined as follows except when the content of the rule clearly requires a different meaning. The definitions prescribed in G.S. 110-86 also apply to these Rules.

(1) "Agency" means Division of Child Development, Department of Health and Human Services located at 319 Chapanoke Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603.

(2) "Appellant" means the person or persons who request a contested case hearing.

(3) "A" license means the license issued to child care operators who meet the minimum requirements for the legal operation of a child care facility pursuant to G.S. 110-91 and applicable rules in this Subchapter.

(4) "AA" license means the license issued to child care operators who meet the higher voluntary standards promulgated by the Child Care Commission as codified in Section .1600 of this Subchapter.

(5) "Basic School-Age Care Training"(BSAC Training) means the seven clock hours of training developed by the North Carolina State University Department of 4-H Youth Development and the Division of Child Development on the elements of quality school-age care.

(6) "Child Care Program" means a single center or home, or a group of centers or homes or both, which are operated by one owner or supervised by a common entity.

(7) "Child care provider" as defined by G.S. 110-90.2 and used in Section .2700 of this Subchapter, includes but is not limited to the following employees: facility directors, administrative staff, teachers, teachers' aides, cooks, maintenance personnel and drivers.

(8) "Child Development Associate Credential" means the national early childhood credential administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition.

(10) "Developmentally appropriate" means suitable to the chronological age range and developmental characteristics of a specific group of children.

(11) "Division" means the Division of Child Development within the Department of Health and Human Services.

(12) "Drop-in care" means a child care arrangement where children attend on an intermittent, unscheduled basis.

(13) "Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale - Revised edition"(Harms, Cryer, and Clifford, 1998, published by Teachers College Press, New York, NY) is the instrument used to evaluate the quality of care received by a group of children in a child care center, when the majority of children in the group are two and a half years old through five years old, to achieve three through five points for the program standards of a rated license. This instrument is incorporated by reference and includes subsequent editions. Individuals wishing to purchase a copy for $10.95 may call Teachers College Press at 1-800-575-6566. A copy of this instrument is on file at the Division at the address given in Item(1) of this Rule and will be available for public inspection during regular business hours.

(14) "Family Day Care Rating Scale"(Harms and Clifford, 1989, published by Teachers College Press, New York, NY) is the instrument used to evaluate the quality of care received by children in family child care homes to achieve three through five points for the program standards of a rated license. This instrument is incorporated by reference and includes subsequent editions. Individuals wishing to purchase a copy for $8.95 may call Teachers College Press at 1-800-575-6566. A copy of this instrument is on file at the Division at the address given in Item(1) of this Rule and will be available for public inspection during regular business hours.

(15) "Group" means the children assigned to a specific caregiver, or caregivers, to meet the staff/child ratios set forth in G.S. 110-91(7) and this Subchapter, using space which is identifiable for each group.

(16) "Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale"(Harms, Cryer, and Clifford, 1990, published by Teachers College Press, New York, NY) is the instrument used to evaluate the quality of care received by a group of children in a child care center, when the majority of children in the group are younger than thirty months old, to achieve three through five points for the program standards of a rated license. This instrument is incorporated by reference and includes subsequent editions. Individuals wishing to purchase a copy for $8.95 may call Teachers College Press at 1-800-575-6566. A copy of this instrument is on file at the Division at the address given in Item(1) of this Rule and will be available for public inspection during regular business hours.

(17) "Licensee" means the person or entity that is granted permission by the State of North Carolina to operate a child care facility.

(18) "North Carolina Early Childhood Credential" means the state early childhood credential that is based on completion of coursework and standards found in the North Carolina Early Childhood Instructor Manual published jointly under the authority of the Department and the Department of Community Colleges. These standards are incorporated by reference and include subsequent amendments. A copy of the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential requirements is on file at the Division at the address given in Item(1) of this Rule and will be available for public inspection during regular business hours.

(19) "Operator" means the person or entity held legally responsible for the child care business. The terms "operator", "sponsor" or "licensee" may be used interchangeably.

(20) "Part-time care" means a child care arrangement where children attend on a regular schedule but less than a full-time basis.

(22) "Preschooler" or "preschool-aged child" means any child who does not fit the definition of school-aged child in this Rule.

(23) "School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale"(Harms, Jacobs, and White, 1996, published by Teachers College Press) is the instrument used to evaluate the quality of care received by a group of children in a child care center, when the majority of the children in the group are older than five years, to achieve three through five points for the program standards of a rated license. This instrument is incorporated by reference and includes subsequent editions. Individuals wishing to purchase a copy for $8.95 may call Teachers College Press at 1-800-575-6566. A copy of this instrument is on file at the Division at the address given in Item(1) of this Rule and will be available for public inspection during regular business hours.

(24) "School-aged child" means any child who is at least five years old on or before October 16 of the current school year and who is attending, or has attended, a public or private grade school or kindergarten; or any child who is not at least five years old on or before October 16 of that school year, but has been attending school during that school year in another state in accordance with the laws or rules of that state before moving to and becoming a resident of North Carolina; or any child who is at least five years old on or before April 16 of the current school year, is determined by the principal of the school to be gifted and mature enough to justify admission to the school, and is enrolled no later than the end of the first month of the school year.

(25) "Seasonal Program" means a recreational program as set forth in G. S. 110-86(2)(b).

(27) "Substitute" means any person who temporarily assumes the duties of a regular staff person for a time period not to exceed two consecutive months.

(28) "Temporary care" means any child care arrangement which provides either drop-in care or care on a seasonal or other part-time basis and is required to be regulated pursuant to G.S. 110-86.

(29) "Volunteer" means a person who works in a child care facility and is not monetarily compensated by the facility.

Eff. January 1, 1986; Amended Eff. July 1, 2000; April 1, 1999; July 1, 1998; April 1, 1997;

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SECTION .0100 - PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS