What is child care?
As defined in General Statute 110-86 (2) it
is a program or arrangement where three or more children less than 13
years old, who do not reside where the care is provided, receive care on
a regular basis of at least once per week for more than four hours but
less than 24 hours per day from persons other than their guardians or
full-time custodians, or from persons not related to them by birth,
marriage, or adoption. Child care does not include the following:
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Arrangements operated in the home of any child receiving care if all of the children in care are related to each other and no more than two additional children are in care
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Recreational programs operated for less than four consecutive months in a year
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Specialized
activities or instruction such as athletics, dance, art, music lessons,
horseback riding, gymnastics, or organized clubs for children, such as
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H groups, or boys and girls clubs
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Drop-in or
short-term care provided while parents participate in activities that
are not employment related and where the parents are on the premises or
otherwise easily accessible, such as drop-in or short-term care provided
in health spas, bowling alleys, shopping malls, resort hotels, or
churches
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Public schools
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Nonpublic schools
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Bible schools conducted during vacation periods
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Cooperative arrangements among parents to provide care for their own children as a convenience rather than for employment
What is a child care facility?
These
facilities include child care centers, family child care homes, and any
other child care arrangement not excluded by G.S. 110-86(2), that
provides child care, regardless of the time of day, wherever operated,
and whether or not operated for profit.
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A
child care center is an arrangement where, at any one time, there are
three or more preschool-age children or nine or more school-age children
receiving child care
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A
family child care home is a child care arrangement located in a
residence where, at any one time, more than two children, but less than
nine children, receive child care
Who issues licenses to child care facilities?
All Child Care Facilities are required to be licensed by the NC Division of Child Development. Environmental
Health conducts sanitation inspections at all licensed Child Care
Facilities, but not at Family Child Care Homes. The NC Division of
Child Development will require a Sanitation inspection with a Superior
Classification from Environmental Health before issuing a license.
How often are sanitation inspections conducted?
Unannounced
inspections of child care facilities are made once each six-month
period (once between July 1st and December 31st and then again between
January 1st and June 30th each fiscal year).
New Child Care Rules 2023
New Childcare Sanitation Inspection Form 2023
How do I set up an inspection at a new child care facility?
Fill out the Child Care Center Application and submit it to Environmental Health via fax, mail or in-person.
How are child care facilities graded?
Child
Care Facilities are graded differently than Food Service Establishments
or Lodging Establishments. Their score is based on demerits, the
higher the number of demerits the more violations that were noted during
the inspection. A violation noted during an inspection could range in
value from 2 demerits up to 6 demerits. Critical Items have a point
value of 6 demerits.
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SUPERIOR Classification results from a score of 0 to 15 demerits with no 6-demerit items marked
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APPROVED Classification results from a score of 16-30 demerits with no 6-demerit items marked
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PROVISIONAL Classification results from a score of 31-45 demerits OR any 6-demerit item marked
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DISAPPROVED Classification results from a score of 46 or more demerits OR failure to correct a 6-demerit item
A
Provisional Classification period cannot exceed 7 days unless
construction or renovation is needed to correct the critical item. If a
Child Care Facility is found to have a Provisional Classification, a
re-inspection will be conducted within 7 days as required. If a Child
Care Facility is found to have a Disapproved Classification, a
re-inspection will be conducted when requested by the operator.
Complaints?
If
you have a complaint or concern regarding the sanitation of a Child
Care Facility, speak to the administrator directly. If you still have
concerns, you may also contact us at (336)342-8130 and register a
complaint or submit a complaint online.
Additional Resources/Information
When Vomit or Diarrhea Clean-up Is Needed
Vomit Diarrhea Cleanup Plan For Childcare 2023
Bleach Mixing Guide for Sanitizer and Disinfectant
Child Handwashing Guide
Child Handwashing Guide Spanish
Diaper Changing Guide
Diaper Changing Guide Spanish
Handwashing Guide
Handwashing Guide Spanish
Infant Handwashing Guide
Infant Handwashing Guide Spanish