10A NCAC 09 .1729         ADDITIONAL CAREGIVER AND SUBSTITUTE PROVIDER QUALIFICATIONS

(a)  An individual who provides care for five hours or more in a week during planned absences of the family child care home operator shall:

(1)           be 21 years old;

(2)           have a high school diploma or GED;

(3)           have completed a First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course within 12 months prior to caring for children;

(4)           have completed a health questionnaire;

(5)           have proof of negative results of a tuberculosis test or screening completed within 12 months prior to the first day of providing care;

(6)           have submitted criminal background check forms as required in Rule .2703 of this Chapter;

(7)           have documentation of annual on-going training as described in Rule .1703(d) of this Section after the first year of employment;

(8)           have completed ITS-SIDS training, if licensed to care for infants;

(9)           have completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training; and

(10)         have documentation that the operator has reviewed the requirements found in this Chapter, including the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, and in G.S. Chapter 110, Article 7.

While the individual provides care at a family child care home, copies of information required by Subparagraphs (1) through (10) of this Paragraph shall be on file in the home and available for review by the Division.

(b)  An individual who provides care for less than five hours in a week during planned absences of the operator shall be literate and meet all requirements listed in Paragraph (a) of this Rule except the requirements for annual training and a high school diploma or GED.

(c)  The operator shall conduct 16 hours of orientation with all caregivers, prior to the individual caring for children, including substitute providers, volunteers, and uncompensated providers, who are providing care. The orientation shall include an overview of the following topics, specifically focusing on the operation of the facility:

(1)           recognizing, responding to, and reporting child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment pursuant to G.S. 110-105.4 and G.S. 7B-301;

(2)           review of the home's operational policies, including the written plan of care, safe sleep policy, the transportation policy, identification of building and premises safety issues, the emergency medical care plan, and the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan;

(3)           adequate supervision of children in accordance with Rule .1711(a) of this Section;

(4)           information regarding prevention of shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment;

(5)           prevention and control of infectious diseases, including immunization;

(6)           firsthand observation of the home's daily operations;

(7)           instruction regarding assigned duties;

(8)           instruction in the maintenance of a safe and healthy environment;

(9)           instruction in the administration of medication to children in accordance with Rule .1720(b) of this Section;

(10)         review of the home's purposes and goals;

(11)         review of G.S. 110, Article 7 and 10A NCAC 09;

(12)         review of Section .2800 of this Chapter if the operator has a two- through five- star license at the time of employment;

(13)         an explanation of the role of State and local government agencies in the regulation of child care, their impact on the operation of the center, and their availability as a resource;

(14)         an explanation of the individual's obligation to cooperate with representatives of State and local government agencies during visits and investigations;

(15)         prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions; and

(16)         review of the home's handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of biocontaminants.

The operator and individual providing care shall sign and date a statement that attests that this review was completed. This statement shall be kept on file in the home and available for review by the Division.

(d)  An individual who provides care during unplanned absences of the operator, such as medical emergencies, shall be 18 years old and submit criminal records check forms as required in Rule .2703(j) of this Chapter. The children of an emergency caregiver shall not be counted in the licensed capacity for the first day of the emergency caregiver's service.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 110-85; 110‑88; 110-91; 143B‑168.3;

Eff. October 1, 2017;

Amended Eff. February 1, 2021; March 1, 2019.