Licensed Free Search State-verified

Licensed Daycare in North Carolina

Search 4,108 verified daycare and childcare centers across North Carolina, sourced directly from NC Division of Child Development and Early Education . Filter by age group, program type, and subsidy acceptance — no signup.

4,108
Licensed Centers
$980/mo
Avg Infant Care
$750/mo
Avg Preschool
1:5
Infant Ratio

North Carolina Childcare Licensing

In North Carolina, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.

Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:5 for infants under 12 months, 1:6 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:15 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.

Verify a license at NC Division of Child Development and Early Education

Quick licensing facts

Regulator
NC Division of Child Development and Early Education
Infant ratio
1:5
Toddler ratio
1:6
Preschool ratio
1:15
Avg infant cost
$980/mo
Avg preschool cost
$750/mo

Top Cities for Daycare in North Carolina

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Charlotte
189 centers
Raleigh
99 centers
Greensboro
90 centers
Durham
53 centers
Winston Salem
51 centers
Asheville
40 centers
Statesville
39 centers
Reidsville
37 centers
Fayetteville
35 centers
Wilmington
29 centers
Greenville
24 centers
Gastonia
23 centers
Financial help

North Carolina Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits

North Carolina families can apply for NC Child Care Subsidy Program based on income and work/school status. Federal programs — the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 cap), and Head Start — stack on top of state assistance.

Local intake line: (919) 814-6300

Check Subsidy Eligibility Estimate Your Cost

Program Types in North Carolina

Preschool Program
514 centers
Licensed Group Child Care Home
514 centers
Head Start Center
514 centers
Before & After School Care
514 centers
Montessori School
513 centers
Licensed Family Daycare Home
513 centers

Recently Verified Centers

View all 4,108 →
K Group Care

Kids R Us Concord #241

Concord

School Age (5+) Cap 71
C Preschool

Concord Learning Tree #242

Concord

Preschool (2-5) Cap 95
J Head Start

Jumping Jacks Concord #243

Cornelius

2 years - 12 years Cap 79
C Before/After School

Concord Sunflower Daycare #244

Cramerton

School Age (5+) Cap 119
C Infant Care

Concord Panda Kids Academy #245

Crouse

Preschool (2-5) Cap 98
C Montessori

Concord Wonder Years #246

Dallas

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 32
L Licensed Center

Little Genius Concord #247

Cornelius

Infants & Toddlers Cap 112
C Family Daycare

Concord Cloud Nine Kids #248

Denver

School Age (5+) Cap 117
N Group Care

Nurturing Hearts Concord #249

Earl

School Age (5+) Cap 99
C Preschool

Concord Smart Start Academy #250

Ellenboro

Preschool (2-5) Cap 98
C Head Start

Concord Little Angels #251

Alexander Mills

2 years - 12 years Cap 24
E Before/After School

Explorer Kids Concord #252

Gastonia

School Age (5+) Cap 30

Daycare in North Carolina — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a daycare in North Carolina is licensed?
Every center listed here is verified against the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education database. Look for the 'Licensed' badge on each profile. You can also confirm directly via the agency's lookup tool at https://ncchildcaresearch.dhhs.state.nc.us/search.asp.
What is the staff-to-child ratio in North Carolina?
State minimums in North Carolina are roughly 1:5 infants, 1:6 toddlers, and 1:15 preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below these ceilings.
How much does daycare cost in North Carolina?
Full-time infant care averages about $980/month; preschool runs around $750/month. Costs vary by city — large metros like North Carolina trend higher than rural areas.
Are subsidies available for childcare in North Carolina?
Yes. The primary state program is NC Child Care Subsidy Program, reachable at (919) 814-6300. Federal options like Head Start, the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, and Dependent Care FSA also apply. See our subsidies guide for eligibility rules.
How do I report unsafe conditions at a North Carolina daycare?
File a complaint with the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education via their website. Inspections are public record; severe violations result in license suspension.

Search 4,108 Licensed North Carolina Centers

Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.

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