10a ncac 09 .3213         enhanced education standards for child care center teachers

(a)  This Rule shall apply when evaluating the education of a teacher, defined in Rule .0102(47) of this Chapter, for a child care center.

(b)  A child care provider meets the two-star education standard for teachers if the provider meets, at minimum, the requirements set forth in Option One or Option Two as follows:

(1)           Option One: Be enrolled in at least three semester hours in early childhood education or child development coursework at an accredited college or university.

(2)           Option Two: Have at least one year of early childhood work experience.

(c)  A child care provider meets the three-star education standard for teachers if the provider meets, at minimum, the requirements set forth in Option One, Option Two, Option Three, or Option Four as follows:

(1)           Option One: NC Early Childhood Credential or its approved equivalent.

(2)           Option Two: Successful completion of at least three semester hours in early childhood education or child development coursework at an accredited college or university.

(3)           Option Three: Have at least two years of early childhood work experience.

(4)           Option Four:

(A)          Have at least one year of early childhood work experience; and

(B)          Annual completion of at least 0.5 continuing credit specific to the ages and needs of children in care, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter, or successful completion of a competency evaluation as set forth in Rule .3218 of this Section.

(d)  A child care provider meets the four-star education standard for teachers if the provider meets, at minimum, the requirements set forth in Option One, Option Two, or Option Three as follows:

(1)           Option One:

(A)          NC Early Childhood Credential or its approved equivalent; and

(B)          Successful completion of at least three semester hours in early childhood education or child development coursework at an accredited college or university; and

(C)          Have at least one year of early childhood work experience.

(2)           Option Two:

(A)          Have at least two years of early childhood work experience; and

(B)          Annual completion of at least 1.0 continuing education credit specific to the ages and needs of children in care, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter, or successful completion of a competency evaluation as set forth in Rule .3218 of this Section.

(3)           Option Three: Completion of a Child Development Associate (CDA) that is active with no credit for prior learning

(e)  A child care provider meets the five-star education standard for teachers if the provider meets, at minimum, the requirements set forth in Option One, Option Two, Option Three, or Option Four as follows:

(1)           Option One:

(A)          NC Early Childhood Credential or its approved equivalent; and

(B)          Successful completion of at least six semester hours in early childhood education or child development coursework at an accredited college or university; and

(C)          Have at least two years of early childhood work experience.

(2)           Option Two:

(A)          NC Early Childhood Credential or its approved equivalent; and

(B)          Successful completion of at least three semester hours in early childhood education or child development coursework at an accredited college or university; and

(C)          Annual completion of at least 1.5 continuing education credits specific to the ages and needs of children in care, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter; and

(D)          Have at least two years of early childhood work experience.

(3)           Option Three:

(A)          NC Early Childhood Credential or its approved equivalent; and

(B)          Annual completion of at least 1.5 continuing education credits specific to the ages and needs of children in care, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter; and

(C)          Successful completion of a competency evaluation as set forth in Rule .3218 of this Section; and

(D)          Have at least three years of early childhood work experience.

(4)           Option Four: Completion of a Child Development Associate (CDA) that is active with credit for prior learning.

(f)  Semester hours in early childhood education or child development coursework required to meet the standards set forth in this Rule shall not include the coursework necessary for the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 110-85(3); 110-88(7); 110-90(4); 143B-168.3; S.L 2023-40; S.L. 2024-34; 42 USCS 9858e; 45 CFR 98.45;

Eff. July 1, 2025.