10A NCAC 09 .2802 APPLICATION FOR A two through five star RATED LICENSE

(a) After a licensed child care center or home has been in operation for a minimum of six consecutive months, the operator may apply for an initial two- through five-star rated license.

(b) The operator shall submit a completed application to the Division for a two- through five-star rated license on the form provided by the Division.

(c) An operator may apply for a star rating based on the total number of points achieved for each component of the two- through five-star rated license. In order to achieve a two- through five-star rating, the minimum score achieved shall be a least four points as follows:

Total Number of Points	Star Rating
4 through 6	Two Stars
7 through 9	Three Stars
10 through 12	Four Stars
13 through 15	Five Stars

(d) Facilities with a four or five-star rated license that are licensed to serve four-year-old children shall implement a curriculum as defined in 10A NCAC 09 .0102(10) with their four year olds.

(e) A Division representative shall assess the facility requesting a two- through five-star rated license to determine if all applicable requirements have been met to achieve the score for the requested star rating. The assessment shall include a review of Division records and site visits.

(f) Operators requesting an initial three or more points for program standards shall request an Environment Rating Scale assessment from the Division. The Division shall arrange for the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale Revised Edition, Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale - Revised Edition, School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale, or Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale - Revised Edition assessments to be completed, as appropriate for the program, free of charge. Centers located in a residence with a licensed capacity of 3 to 12 children shall complete a Family Child Care Rating Scale- Revised Edition assessment.

(g) Upon completion of the Division's assessment:

(1) If the assessment indicates all the applicable requirements to achieve the score for the requested rating have been met, the Division shall issue the rating.

(2) If the assessment indicates all the applicable requirements to achieve the score for the requested rating have not been met, the Division shall notify the operator of the requirements that were not met and the requested two- through five-star rating shall not be issued. The operator may:

(A) accept the rating for which the Division has found the operator to be eligible;

(B) withdraw the request and reapply when the identified requirements to achieve the score for the requested rating have been met; or

History Note: Authority G.S. 110-85; 110-88(7); 110-90(4); 143B-168.3; S.L. 2011-145, s.10.7(b);

Eff. April 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. September 1, 2012; July 1, 2010; May 1, 2006;

Readopted Eff. March 1, 2019.