By John Jensen, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In North Carolina day care centers /child care centers, facilities should be properly staffed to make sure that the individual needs of each child are met. North Carolina day care centers / child care centers are regulated by the North Carolina Administrative Code Title 10 A – Health and Human Services – Chapter 9 – Day Care Rules.
Staff ratios requirements are set forth in Rules 712 and 713. Staff ratios regulations are dependent on the number of children cared for in the day care center. Rule 712 covers day care centers with a licensed capacity of less than 30 children. Rule 713 covers day care centers with a licensed capacity of 30 children or more. Parents and caregivers should ask day care operators and owners about the staff ratios and how the facility documents or keeps track of the number of children and staff members on a daily basis. If the day care center is well managed and operated, there should be no problem in explaining or providing you with documentation as to its staff to child ratios. Review the regulations and ask a lot of questions. Having the right number of staff in place is key to preventing or reducing the number of incidents leading to serious child injuries in North Carolina day care centers.