Greensboro, NC Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Family child care homes in Greensboro are regulated at both the state and local level. Under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 110, Article 7 (N.C.G.S. 110-86), child care is defined as providing care for three or more unrelated children under age 13 on a regular basis. A family child care home serves more than two but fewer than nine children and requires a license from the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). Homes caring for one or two unrelated children are exempt from state licensing but may still need to comply with local zoning. In Greensboro, family child care homes are addressed under the Land Development Ordinance as a permitted or limited use in residential districts. The LDO distinguishes between small family child care homes (up to 5 children) and larger operations (6 to 8 children), with larger homes potentially requiring a special use permit or additional conditions depending on the zoning district. State licensing requirements under N.C.G.S. 110-91 include minimum indoor and outdoor space per child (25 square feet indoor, 75 square feet outdoor), caregiver-to-child ratios, criminal background checks, first aid and CPR certification, and annual inspections. Fire safety standards require working smoke detectors on every level, a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and an emergency evacuation plan. Greensboro also requires a city business permit for any home-based child care operation. Operators should contact the Greensboro Planning Department at 336-373-2144 to confirm their property zoning allows the intended level of child care.