Education

SB 528 (Child Care Regulatory Reforms and Flexibilities) allows five years of documented work experience in a licensed North Carolina child care facility to count as equivalent to the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential for lead teachers and star ratings. It also increases the maximum group size for toddlers from 18 to 20 children in centers maintaining a 1/9 staff-to-child ratio, while adjusting nap-time supervision requirements. These changes directly affect licensed child care centers, administrators, lead teachers, and staff by providing alternative pathways to meet credentialing requirements and adjusting operational standards for group sizes. The bill aims to increase flexibility for providers while maintaining safety and quality standards under North Carolina’s child care regulations.

HB 87 (Educational Choice for Children Act) allows North Carolina to participate in a federal tax credit program that encourages donations to private scholarship organizations. The bill requires the State Education Assistance Authority to maintain and publish an annual list of qualifying scholarship groups operating in North Carolina, enabling donors to claim federal tax credits for contributions. These scholarships can cover elementary and secondary school costs, including homeschooling expenses, as permitted under federal law. The law becomes effective after 2026, with the Authority needing to establish necessary rules by July 2026 to comply with federal requirements.