Find a daycare in Raleigh, NC

Find daycares in Raleigh, NC

Find daycares in Raleigh, NC

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Find daycares in Raleigh, NC

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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Top 10 daycares in Raleigh, NC

Parents agree: these Raleigh daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Truly Unique Day Care

Truly Unique Day Care

26+ years in business
Serves Raleigh, NC
Welcome to Truly Unique Day Care (TUDC)! At TUDC, we are dedicated to meeting the needs of your child by providing an environment that blends playtime with structured learning activities. Our caregivers and staff are committed to offering safe, secure, and loving care in a stable and stress-free environment. We aim to foster your child's social, emotional, and intellectual growth. Rest assured, all our staff and substitutes are certified in First Aid and CPR.
Keisha's Kreative Kids

Keisha's Kreative Kids

19+ years in business
Serves Raleigh, NC
Established in 2007, Keisha's Kreative Kids is a revered preschool located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and also extending services to the surrounding areas. This progressive institution takes pride in creating an enriching environment where children aged between 1 1/2 to 12 years learn through exploration and sensory engagement. Additionally, Keisha's Kreative Kids offers licensed home daycare facilities, accommodating up to 8 children and providing them with nurturing care and exciting play experiences.
Katina's Kiddie Academy

Katina's Kiddie Academy

14+ years in business
Serves Raleigh, NC
Katina's Kiddie Academy, located in the heart of Southeast Raleigh, NC, is a licensed home daycare renowned for its exceptional care and educational experiences. Catering to up to 8 children, the academy is perfectly equipped to nurture and educate your little ones in a cozy, home-like environment. Trust Katina's Kiddie Academy to deliver unparalleled childcare services in Raleigh and its surrounding areas.
Beary Special Daycare

Beary Special Daycare

8+ years in business
Serves Raleigh, NC
Beary Special Daycare, located in Raleigh, NC, offers licensed home daycare services in a group environment for up to 8 children. Positioned in the heart of Southeast Raleigh, this daycare provider is renowned for its commitment to providing high-quality child care in a educational nurturing environment. Reach out to Beary Special Daycare for inquiries about their services, availability, and pricing.
Mary's Daycare Home

Mary's Daycare Home

30+ years in business
Serves Raleigh, NC
Mary's Daycare Home, located in Morrisville, NC, is a licensed home daycare that provides care and engaging play experiences for up to 8 children. It offers a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. Please contact Mary's Daycare Home directly for inquiries about prices and availability.
Creative Kidz Academy Inc.

Creative Kidz Academy Inc.

21+ years in business
Serves Raleigh, NC
Welcome to Creative Kidz Academy Inc., where nurturing young minds is our passion. Located in the vibrant city of Raleigh, NC, we offer comprehensive daycare services designed to foster creativity and growth in your child. Our dedicated team of 33 caring professionals is committed to providing a safe, engaging, and supportive environment where children can explore, learn, and thrive. At Creative Kidz Academy, we believe in inspiring the next generation through play-based learning and personalized attention, creating a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Nurturing Family Child Care Too

Nurturing Family Child Care Too

7+ years in business
Serves Raleigh, NC
Nurturing Family Child Care Too, located in Wake Forest, NC, is a licensed home daycare. They specialize in providing care and educational experiences for up to eight children. Located in the serene surroundings of Margots Pond, they are dedicated to offering a nurturing environment for your child's growth and development. To learn about their availability and pricing, feel free to reach out to them.
Hugs R Precious Child Enrichment Center

Hugs R Precious Child Enrichment Center

Serves Raleigh, NC
Precious Ones Daycare, located in Garner, North Carolina, is a licensed home daycare that offers enriching care and educational experiences for up to 8 children. Known for its focus on foundational learning, the daycare provides activities that help children learn letters, numbers, shapes, and colors, while also developing their social skills. The daily routine includes play-based learning with a variety of toys, books, and games, as well as outdoor play and exciting trips to the park.
A Safe Place Child Childcare

A Safe Place Child Childcare

Serves Raleigh, NC
Founded in 1997, A Safe Place Child Enrichment Center is a recognized childcare institution in Raleigh, NC, and its surrounding areas. The center emphasizes a mother's heart in its approach, offering comprehensive child development and early childhood education programs. Their curriculum features hands-on learning activities including indoor and outdoor play, pre-academic work with letters, shapes, colors, and numbers, and additional enrichment activities like music and gardening. A Safe Place Child Enrichment Center is committed to preparing young children for kindergarten and beyond.
Owls Academy Child Development Center

Owls Academy Child Development Center

11+ years in business
Serves Raleigh, NC
Founded in 2014, Owl's Academy in Spring Lake, NC, provides exceptional childcare for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years. With an inclusive program tailored for each age group, the academy nurtures children's positive self-image, cooperation, and understanding of their world. Owl's Academy emphasizes a home-like environment where exploration, creation, and communication are highly encouraged. The academy's highly qualified teachers guide children through a structured educational curriculum, fostering their development at every stage. Special learning and developmental needs are also catered for, ensuring every child's unique potential is reali

Your Daycare questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on TrustedCare.

How much does daycare cost?

Daycare costs depend on the child’s age group, the type of daycare, and where you live. Infant daycare is typically the most expensive, ranging from $650 to $1,500 per month. Infant daycare requires higher ratios of caregivers to children, which increases costs. Babies require more individualized attention, including diaper changes, feedings, and naps. As the child ages and becomes more independent, this ratio decreases along with daycare costs.

Traditional daycare centers tend to charge higher rates than home-based family daycare centers or co-ops. However, they usually have lower child-to-caregiver ratios, offer a wider range of amenities and activities, and have stricter qualifications for staff. Church-based, YMCA, or other non-profit child care centers offer lower rates, while home-based daycare is typically the cheapest option due to the low overhead costs.

In urban areas with a higher cost of living, daycare costs tend to be higher to cover the cost of higher rent and teacher salaries. Suburban and rural daycare centers have lower overhead costs, which often translates to more affordable daycare.

Is daycare tax deductible?

No, you cannot directly deduct daycare expenses on your federal tax return. However, if you qualify, there's a tax credit designed to assist with daycare costs, known as the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit enables you to claim a percentage of your eligible childcare expenses. It ranges from 20% to 35% of allowable expenses, capping at $3,000 for one qualifying child and $6,000 for two or more qualifying children (applicable to the 2023 tax year). Consult a qualified tax professional to confirm if your eligibility.

Can a daycare charge you when they are closed?

Some daycares may charge a reduced fee or no fee at all during certain closures, while others may maintain regular charges. The terms in your daycare contract or agreement should outline whether or not you are charged when they are closed. It's common for daycares to have specific policies regarding fees during closures, such as holidays or other scheduled breaks.

If you're unsure, reach out to the daycare directly to clarify their billing practices during closures.

How do I look up daycare violations?

To look up daycare violations, start by contacting your state’s licensing agency for childcare facilities. You can usually find this information through your state’s Department of Health and Human Services online database.

Another option is to reach out to community resources such as local parenting groups, forums, or social media groups. Other parents may share their experiences or provide information about daycare violations in your area. Finally, consider a visit the daycare center directly and ask for information about any past violations. Daycare centers are often required to make this information accessible to parents.

How do I choose a daycare?

When picking a daycare, trust your instincts and choose a daycare that aligns with your child's needs, your values, and provides a safe and nurturing environment for their development. Follow these additional suggestions to find the best fit for you and your child:

  • Get recommendations from other parents, friends, and pediatricians to start your search.
  • Visit in person to make sure the spaces are clean, safe, and friendly.
  • Ask about caregiver qualifications, such as CPR training, early childhood education background, and experience with children of a similar age.
  • Understand the daycare's approach to early education, discipline, feeding, and soothing methods.
  • Choose a daycare that is licensed and accredited to meet government-set health and safety standards.
  • Check if parents are encouraged to participate in the program and if there are opportunities for parental engagement.
  • Contact current and former clients for feedback on their experiences with the daycare.
  • Consider making unannounced visits to get a true sense of the daycare's daily operations
  • Look for a daycare with a suitable curriculum, flexible schedules, and activities that fit your preferences.
  • Visit the daycare with your child and see how they react to the space, teachers, and other children.
  • Secure a spot on the waiting list as early as possible, especially for sought-after infant programs.

What questions should I ask when evaluating potential daycare centers?

Gather as much information as you can to find the daycare that best fits your family’s needs. Be prepared with a list of questions when visiting daycares, including:

  • Is your daycare licensed and accredited to meet safety standards?
  • Are teachers credentialed and trained in CPR/First Aid?
  • What are the class sizes and student-teacher ratios for each age group?
  • What are the daycare's hours of operation and rates?
  • How does the daycare handle discipline?
  • Will the daycare assist with potty training?
  • How much time do children spend in free-play and outdoors?
  • Are meals and snacks provided by the daycare?
  • How are food allergies handled by the daycare?
  • What enrichment programs and activities are available?

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