Types of Licensed of Regulated Child Care

Center-Based Programs : are independently operated or operate in schools, workplaces, individual homes (considered small centers) churches or synagogues.  Most are open on a fixed schedule, eight or more hours per day, Monday through Friday.  Children in centers are usually grouped by age.  As they grow, children often move into the next age group with a different caregiver.  All centers must meet state regulations.

GS 110-106 (Religious-sponsored child care facilities): are child care facilities or summer day camps operated by a church, synagogue, or school of religious charter.  While exempt from licensure, they must file a notice of intent to operate a child care facility with the state.  A religious-sponsored child care facility may choose to seek licensure, but if it does not, it must still meet state licensing requirements with the following exceptions: staff qualifications, staff training, written activity plans and developmentally appropriate activity centers.

Head Start: is a federally funded community-based program for low income three and four-year-old children and their families that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services.

More at Four: is a state-wide voluntary program that prepares eligible four-year-old children for school success by providing them with high quality pre-kindergarten experiences.  The curricula used is child-centered, has a literacy and language focus and includes parent participation.  More at Four classrooms operate in centers and school settings for six hours per day, follow the public school calendar and have no more than a one-to-nine staff -to-child ratio.

Family Child Care Homes (FCCH): are operated by individuals who provide care in their homes for more than two children who are not related to them.  These programs offer a home-like setting that provides the opportunity for siblings to stay together.  A licensed FCCH may care for up to eight children, with no more than five preschool children in care at any given time.  The caregiver's own preschool-age children must be included in the number of preschoolers.  However, their school-age children are not counted for licensing purposes.  FCCHs must provide age-appropriate toys and activities, nutritious meals and snacks and meet basic health and safety standards.  All FCCHs must meet star regulations for legal operation of a child care facility.

Centers in a Residence: are located in a program's home and are licensed to care for up to 12 children.  Programs caring for school-age children only may care for up to 15 children.  They are required to be licensed by NCDCD.

School-Age Child Care: refers to programs for children before and/or after school hours and during school holidays and vacations.  Family child care homes, child care centers and schools typically offer this type of care.  Programs that operate for four hours or less per day are license-exempt, but may voluntarily seek state licensure or pursue national accreditation.

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