Bill > S745

This bill amends North Carolina's child care center regulations to provide more flexibility in group sizes and staffing for infant and toddler care. Specifically, the bill allows child care centers operating under voluntary enhanced requirements to increase maximum group sizes for certain age groups. For toddlers aged two to three years, centers can expand from 18 to 20 children when maintaining a 1/9 staff-to-child ratio. For centers operating under the highest voluntary enhanced requirements, even more expansive group size changes are permitted: 12 children for 0-12 month infants (with a 1/4 staff ratio), 15 children for 12-24 month toddlers (with a 1/5 staff ratio), and 20 children for two to three-year-olds (with a 1/8 staff ratio). The bill also clarifies nap time supervision rules for children one year and older, allowing reduced staff ratios during nap time if at least one staff person remains in the room, all children are visible, and total required staff are on the premises and within calling distance. These changes aim to provide child care centers with increased operational flexibility while maintaining child safety standards.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S745