10A NCAC 09 .2903         STAFF QUALIFICATIONS

(a)  Each center serving children ages birth to three years shall have:

(1)           one staff who holds a NC Birth-through-Kindergarten (B-K) Continuing or Initial License issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction;

(2)           a NC Initial or Continuing Professional License with a B-K or Preschool Add-on issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction;

(3)           a NC Lateral Entry B-K License issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction;

(4)           a NC Residency B-K License issued by the North Carolina Public Instruction; or

(5)           a NC Emergency B-K License issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as determined by the Early Educator Support, (EES) Unit.

This staff shall provide program oversight and supervision for any caregivers in classrooms with children ages birth to three years.

(b)  In accordance with G.S. 115C-84.2(a)(1), during the 185 day school year as defined by the State Board of Education, each child aged three-years-old and older on or before the initial school entry date specified in G.S. 115C-364 (school entry date) shall be served in a classroom with at least one lead teacher who holds an Initial or Continuing Professional B-K License or a NC Professional Educator's License with a Provisional B-K or Preschool Add-on license issued from the Department of Public Instruction.

(c)  Children who turn three-years-old after the school entry date who are identified as a child with a disability as evidenced by an Individualized Education Program (IEP), shall be served in a classroom by a teacher who holds a NC Continuing B-K or Initial B-K License; or a NC Professional Educator's License with a Provisional B-K or Preschool Add-on License or NC Lateral Entry B-K License or a Residency B-K License.

(d)  Teachers who are required to hold a NC Initial or Continuing B-K License issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as specified in Paragraph (a) of this Rule shall be enrolled with the Early Educator Support Unit of the Division of Child Development and Early Education. The enrollment application may be found online at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Portals/0/documents/pdf/N/NCPre-K_EESLPD_Enrollment_Application_REV_JUL2019.pdf?ver=2019-08-16-135555-313.

(e)  For centers operating for 12 months as specified by Rule .2902(a) of this Section, during the two additional months of operation each group of preschool children shall have at least one lead teacher with a minimum of an A.A.S. degree in early childhood education or child development, or an A.A.S. degree in any major with 12 semester hours in early childhood education or child development.

(f)  For centers operating for 10 months as specified by Rule .2902(a) of this Section, during the 10-month school year, as defined by the State Board of Education, each group of school-age children shall have at least one teacher who holds State certification as a Special Education Teacher. For centers operating for 12 months as specified by Rule .2902(a) of this Section, during the two additional months of operation each group of school-age children shall have at least one teacher who has completed at least two semester hours of school-age care related coursework and has completed or is enrolled in at least two additional semester hours of school-age related coursework.

(g)  Center administrators shall have a Level III North Carolina Early Childhood Administration Credential and two years of work experience with children with developmental delays or disabilities.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 110-85; 110-88(5); 110-88(14);

Eff. July 1, 2010;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2016; March 1, 2014;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2017;

Amended Eff. February 1, 2021.