10a ncac 09 .3214         enhanced education standards for program coordinators in child care centers that provide care for school-age children

(a)  This Rule shall apply when evaluating the education of a program coordinator for a child care center that serves school-age children, as required by Rule .2510(b) of this Chapter.

(b)  A child care provider meets the two-star education standard for program coordinators if the providers 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 of school-age care coursework at an accredited college or university.

(2)           Option Two: Have at least three months licensed school-age care experience or have at least six months unlicensed school-age care experience.

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

(1)           Option One:

(A)          Successful completion of at least three semester hours of school-age care coursework at an accredited college or university; and

(B)          Have three months licensed school-age care experience or have six months unlicensed school-age care experience.

(2)           Option Two: Have six months licensed school-age care experience or have nine months unlicensed school-age care experience.

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

(1)           Option One:

(A)          Successful completion of at least three semester hours of school-age care coursework at an accredited college or university; and

(B)          Be enrolled in an additional three semester hours of school-age care coursework at an accredited college or university or have nine months licensed school-age care experience or have one year unlicensed school-age care experience.

(2)           Option Two: Completion of an AAS degree in early childhood education, child development or school-age related field at an accredited college or university.

(3)           Option Three:

(A)          Completion of an AAS degree in any field at an accredited college or university; and

(B)          Successful completion of three semester hours of school-age care coursework at an accredited college or university.

(e)  A child care provider meets the five-star education standard for program coordinator 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: Completion of a bachelor's degree in early childhood, child development, or a school-age related field at an accredited college or university.

(2)           Option Two:

(A)          Completion of a bachelor's degree in any field at an accredited college or university; and

(B)          Successful completion of six semester hours of school-age care coursework at an accredited college or university.

(3)           Option Three:

(A)          Successful completion of nine semester hours of school-age care coursework at an accredited college or university; and

(B)          Have three months licensed school-age care experience or have six months unlicensed school-age care experience.

(4)           Option Four:

(A)          Successful completion of six semester hours of school-age care coursework at an accredited college or university; and

(B)          Have six months licensed school-age care experience or have nine months unlicensed school-age care experience.

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.