A daycare license in North Carolina is issued by North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 6 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →North Carolina childcare licensing is administered by the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) within the Department of Health and Human Services. Any facility serving 3 or more unrelated children must be licensed. North Carolina has a 5-star tiered quality rating system (NC Star Rated License). S.L. 2025-42 created a new childcare infrastructure loan fund for facility construction and renovation.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1:5 | 10 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months) | 1:5 | 10 |
| 2 years | 1:6 | 12 |
| Preschool (3 years) | 1:10 | 20 |
| Preschool (4–5 years) | 1:15 | 20 |
| School age | 1:20 | 25 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE)'s rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: North Carolina DCDEE
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per NC immunization schedule required on file.
Health Assessment
Physician-signed health assessment required within 30 days of enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: North Carolina DCDEE
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the North Carolina Division of Public Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: North Carolina DCDEE
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
Lead teacher must hold a NC Early Childhood Credential (ECC) or equivalent. Higher credentials required for higher star ratings.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. NC Early Childhood Credential I or equivalent required.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Contact DCDEE for current hour requirements per star level.
Director Qualifications
Director must hold a NC Director Credential and ECE degree/credential depending on star rating level.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: North Carolina DCDEE
Inspection Frequency
Frequency varies by star rating level. Higher-starred facilities have fewer required inspections. At minimum, one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact DCDEE or local Smart Start agency to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact DCDEE for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: North Carolina DCDEE
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: North Carolina DCDEE
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the South Atlantic.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.