Licensed Daycare in North Carolina
Find the right daycare in North Carolina in under 5 minutes. 4,108 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against NC Division of Child Development and Early Education. Free, no signup.
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 EducationWhat's distinctive about North Carolina: North Carolina's 5-Star Rated License system is mandatory — every licensed provider must display a 1–5 star rating. Insist on 4-star or higher; 1–2 star programs operate at state minimum without enhancement.
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
View all cities →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
Official North Carolina & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Recently Verified Centers
View all 4,108 →First Steps Greenville #153
Charlotte
Greenville Little Scholars #154
Charlotte
Greenville Creative Kids #155
Charlotte
ABC Academy Greenville #156
Charlotte
Greenville Precious Moments #157
Charlotte
Greenville Golden Gate Daycare #158
Charlotte
Kids R Us Greenville #159
Charlotte
Greenville Learning Tree #160
Charlotte
Jumping Jacks Greenville #161
Charlotte
Greenville Sunflower Daycare #162
Charlotte
Greenville Panda Kids Academy #163
Charlotte
Greenville Wonder Years #164
Charlotte
Daycare in North Carolina — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in North Carolina is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in North Carolina?
How much does daycare cost in North Carolina?
Are subsidies available for childcare in North Carolina?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a North Carolina daycare?
Search 4,108 Licensed North Carolina Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.