NC H800

Directs the Division of Child Development and Early Education to study the effectiveness of NC Pre-K and Smart Start programs, review fund allocations, and examine the quality rating improvement system (QRIS) for potential regulatory relief to providers, with findings due by April 30, 2026.

Appropriates $10 million per year for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to establish a pilot program providing automatic child care subsidy eligibility for preschool-age children (8 weeks to 5 years) of full-time child care teachers working at least 35 hours weekly.

Requires participating child care teachers to enroll in or complete an Introduction to Early Childhood class and commit to earning an Infant/Toddler Certificate or Child Development Certificate within 18 months, with coursework paid by the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program.

Mandates reassignment of unfilled NC Pre-K slots to counties with waitlists and allows increasing maximum class size to 22 students in counties lacking teachers or classrooms.

Requires General Assembly review and approval before further expenditure of existing funds for the In-Home Child Care Pilot Program and Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program established under S.L. 2023-134.