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SB 745

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' TENURE

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Zurier

NC SB 745 raises infant/toddler group sizes in licensed centers, adds voluntary enhanced staffing tiers, and aligns 1-year nap-time supervision to boost capacity with safety.

05/14/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 745

SB 745 — Child Care Center Capacity Amendment Act (North Carolina)

Status: Passed 1st Reading; introduced March 26, 2025. Referred to committee; most recent hearing held Aug 29, 2025 (held in committee and under submission).

Main purpose

To provide licensed child care centers greater operational flexibility by (1) increasing the maximum permitted group sizes for infants and toddlers and (2) aligning nap‑time supervision rules for one‑year‑olds with the rule already applied to two‑year‑olds.

Key provisions / changes

  • Revises G.S. 110‑91(7)(a) governing staff‑child ratios and group sizes for infants and toddlers in child care centers.
  • Increases maximum group sizes for the youngest age groups (infants and toddlers). The bill specifies larger allowable group sizes for:
    • 0–12 months (infants)
    • 12–24 months (young toddlers)
    • 2–3 years (toddlers) (The bill text shows the revised ratio and group‑size table for these age bands, and also describes optional larger group sizes tied to enhanced voluntary program levels.)
  • Establishes voluntary enhanced tiers that, if a center opts in and meets more stringent staffing ratios, permit further increases in maximum group size (examples include allowing a higher headcount when a better staff/child ratio is maintained).
  • Aligns nap‑time supervision requirements so that for groups of children aged one year or older the staff/child ratio during nap time is acceptable provided:
    1. at least one staff person remains in the room,
    2. all children are visible to that staff person, and
    3. the total required staff are present on the premises and within calling distance of the rooms occupied by children.

Who is affected

  • Licensed child care centers and their operators (impacts classroom organization, staffing plans, and facility use).
  • Early childhood staff (potential changes to workload and supervision patterns).
  • Families using center‑based care (may affect availability of slots, group composition, and supervision practices).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Intended to expand capacity and flexibility (may increase number of infants/toddlers a center can serve under specified staffing configurations).
  • Safety and supervision tradeoffs noted by stakeholders: larger groups can affect staff workload and child supervision; the bill attempts to mitigate risk by tying larger group sizes to stricter staffing ratios in voluntary enhanced tiers and clarifying nap‑time visibility/supervision standards.
  • Operational implications for centers include possible need to adopt voluntary enhanced standards, adjust staffing schedules, or reconfigure space.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced March 26, 2025. Passed first reading and referred to committee. Public hearings and committee consideration have occurred; as of Aug 29, 2025 the measure was held in committee and under submission.
  • The bill text indicates it takes effect when enacted into law (i.e., upon the governor’s signature or other enactment procedure). Stakeholders should monitor committee action and any amendments that may change ratio or group‑size figures before final passage.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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