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Daycares in Raleigh
Are you searching for the best daycares in Raleigh, NC? Here are ten great daycares in Raleigh for families moving to the area!
Daycares benefit children in many ways. Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area are home to top-rated daycare and childcare facilities where your children will feel safe and comfortable.
Children in childcare get to socialize with other children their age, and they can also make friends, develop essential life skills, and improve their cognitive development.
Promoting health and learning through classroom and physical activities, children who attend daycare during the most formative years of their lives tend to experience better school readiness, higher self-esteem, lower dropout rates, and better employment prospects as they get older.
Today, the majority of parents decide to enroll their children in childcare during the first year of their lives. In fact, 72% of infants experience some form of non-parental childcare before turning one.
The Triangle area is known for its excellent schools and family-friendly communities, and finding quality childcare is one of the most important decisions you'll make as you settle into your new home.
With many excellent daycare facilities in the area, deciding where to send your children before they go to public or private school can be challenging.
We've put together this comprehensive guide to help you explore ten outstanding daycares in the Raleigh area, each offering unique programs and approaches to early childhood education.
Check out these top daycares in the Raleigh area
1. The Goddard School of Cary
Address: 1177 NW Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27513
Phone Number: (919) 466-0008
Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday
The Goddard School of Cary is a highly rated and highly reviewed private preschool that is more than just a daycare. It provides five-star childcare to infants, toddlers, and pre-kindergarten children.
A franchise, The Goddard School, has locations nationwide, two specifically in Cary, four in Raleigh, and others all over the Triangle. This Goddard School location is best known for its excellent teachers and administrators who genuinely care about the children and their early childhood development.
The Goddard School brings a nationally recognized curriculum to the Cary community, focusing on play-based learning that nurtures children's natural curiosity.
Their programs emphasize STEAM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) integrated into age-appropriate activities that keep children engaged and excited about learning.
Located in the heart of Cary, a family-friendly and very safe place to live, The Goddard School of Cary is committed to children's health, safety, and education by creating a fun and nurturing environment.
The facility maintains convenient hours and offers a structured yet flexible approach that adapts to each child's developmental needs. Many families value the regular communication and updates they receive about their child's progress and daily activities.
2. Cornerstone Learning Center
Address: 9725 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone Number: (919) 557-6776
Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday
Cornerstone Learning Center is one of the best daycare centers in Raleigh and is known for its warm and caring environment. Located off of U.S. Route 401, it is near Downtown Fuquay-Varina, a growing Raleigh suburb.
Cornerstone Learning Center is a Christian-based daycare devoted to children's health, safety, and well-being. It provides a positive environment for all children, from infants to toddlers.
With a capacity for 100 children, this center offers a family-oriented atmosphere where values and education go hand in hand.
The center provides holistic development for children from infancy through pre-kindergarten, focusing on mental, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual growth.
Their curriculum is designed to create well-rounded children who are prepared not just academically, but also emotionally and socially for their next steps.
The center accepts children through age 12, making it an excellent option for families with multiple children at different developmental stages. Parents also value the center's participation in subsidized programs, making quality care more accessible.
3. Little Hearts Academy
Address: 3933 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone Number: (252) 288-7842
Hours: Open 24 hours Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM Saturday, and closed Sunday
Little Hearts Academy is a highly rated 24-hour daycare in Raleigh. It offers a state-approved curriculum and classroom cameras to ensure a safe environment. This licensed family daycare center provides healthy meals and snacks throughout the day and offers affordable care for all children.
Little Hearts Academy has earned its Four-Star Center License rating, North Carolina's highest quality designation for childcare centers.
The academy emphasizes literacy development, art exploration, early academics, physical education, and social skills development. Their comprehensive curriculum ensures children are building a strong foundation across all areas of development, preparing them for success in kindergarten and beyond.
The center's focus on literacy gives children an early advantage in reading readiness, while the balanced approach to education ensures children are developing physically, socially, and emotionally.
4. Little Makers Academy
Address: 2801 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone Number: (919) 615-2288
Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday
Little Makers Academy is another Four-Star Center License facility that focuses on hands-on, creative learning experiences. Providing customized corporate childcare solutions, Little Makers Academy offers drop-in care, full-day childcare, and half-day preschool options.
With over 35 years of experience as public school teachers, all staff and administrators at Little Makers Academy are dedicated to your children's health, well-being, and success.
Offering a STEAM-based preschool curriculum, educational programs at this daycare center will cover science, technology, engineering, arts, and math topics.
The academy emphasizes experiential learning, where children learn by doing. Their curriculum incorporates creative arts, exploration, and age-appropriate academic preparation, allowing children to develop problem-solving skills and creativity alongside traditional early learning concepts.
5. Creative Kidz Academy
Address: 8408 Strickland Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
Phone Number: (919) 841-5707
Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday
Creative Kidz Academy is a small, privately owned daycare center that offers personalized attention in an intimate setting.
This family-owned facility provides a comprehensive range of services beyond traditional daycare, including certified preschool classes, before-and-after school care, transportation, track-out camps, and summer programs.
The academy focuses on providing high-quality care for children from six weeks old and up, with certified preschool programs that prepare children for kindergarten success. Their curriculum balances structured learning with creative play, ensuring children develop both academically and socially.
Aiming to provide the highest quality care for children from six weeks to 12, Creative Kidz Academy works to meet each child's independent needs by providing a safe space for children to build friendships, gain confidence, develop social skills, and learn how to be creative.
Admission requirements for enrollment include a signed and completed application, a detailed feeding schedule, a medical exam that a physician signs, a current shot record, a discipline and behavior management form, and signed documentation of childcare laws.
6. Highwoods Parks KinderCare
Address: 3129 Poplarwood Court, Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone Number: (919) 850-0234
Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday
Highwoods Park KinderCare is a Raleigh daycare center in a corporate park near Capital Boulevard. Serving infants and toddlers from six weeks to five years, this great Raleigh daycare center aims to create a fun and safe environment in which your child will thrive while learning, exploring, and creating.
As part of the nationally recognized KinderCare network, this location combines the resources and expertise of a large organization with community-focused care. KinderCare centers are known for their research-based curriculum and commitment to early childhood education excellence.
Offering affordable pricing for families and flexible scheduling, it is easy to see why so many parents love sending their kids to Highwoods Parks KinderCare. Financial assistance is also provided for eligible families.
7. Children's Lighthouse of Raleigh
Address: 13401 Leesville Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27617
Phone Number: (919) 758-8574
Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday
Children's Lighthouse has five locations throughout the Triangle: one in Raleigh, two in Apex, one in Holly Springs, and one in Cary. This makes it a very convenient and friendly daycare center to send your kids to.
Children's Lighthouse offers a distinctive educational experience with a "Lighthouse" theme that emphasizes guiding children toward bright futures. This franchise brand is known for its commitment to building character alongside academic skills.
This premier early-learning school is family-owned and operated and provides top-of-the-line care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Perfect for ages six weeks to 12 years, Children's Lighthouse of Raleigh provides age-appropriate playgrounds and secure keypad entry, and teaches kids a CARES values-based curriculum.
You can schedule a tour today to learn more about Children's Lighthouse's approach to learning and programs offered for children.
8. SPANISH FOR FUN! Duraleigh
Address: 5600 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh, NC 27612
Phone Number: (919) 937-2050
Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday
Are you looking for a Spanish immersion childcare center in Raleigh? Look no further than SPANISH FOR FUN! Duraleigh is a premier five-star childcare center that offers students a chance to become bilingual by learning Spanish in a natural and fun environment.
The center uses immersion methodology where children learn Spanish naturally through games, songs, stories, and everyday activities. This approach helps children develop bilingual skills at the age when language acquisition is easiest and most natural. The curriculum integrates language learning with age-appropriate academic and social development.
Families who want to give their children the gift of bilingualism love Spanish For Fun's specialized approach. In today's global economy, early exposure to a second language provides children with cognitive benefits and future opportunities.
9. Copperfield Road KinderCare
Address: 2300 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
Phone Number: (919) 954-7662
Hours: 6:30 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday
Another excellent KinderCare location serving the Raleigh community, Copperfield Road KinderCare brings the same high standards of the KinderCare brand to a convenient location for families in this part of the Triangle.
Best known for its comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, dedicated staff members, and engaging learning opportunities, it is no wonder that Copperfield Road KinderCare is considered one of the best daycares in Raleigh.
This daycare center provides programs for children from six weeks to five years of age, so there are plenty of opportunities for kids to learn, develop, grow, and gain confidence.
Affordable pricing, flexible scheduling, and financial assistance are available for eligible families.
10. Bright Beginnings Child Development Center
Address: 123 Bright Beginning Way, Cary, NC 27519
Phone Number: (919) 367-0009
Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday
Bright Beginnings Child Development Center is a popular daycare center in Cary. This family-owned business offers full-time child care for children aged three months to five years and is a safe place for kids to learn and grow while their parents are at work.
Their curriculum includes age-appropriate activities that promote cognitive development, language skills, motor skills, and social-emotional learning. Play-based learning is central to their philosophy, allowing children to explore, discover, and learn naturally.
The nurturing environment helps children build confidence and independence while developing school-readiness skills. Families value the center's experienced teachers, warm atmosphere, and commitment to partnering with parents in their child's development.
FAQs
What is the average cost of daycare in North Carolina?
Daycare is a significant expense that families have to pay; in some cases, it even exceeds the cost of college tuition. It is estimated that childcare costs an average of $9,480 a year in North Carolina, which is almost $800 a month.
How many days of daycare is best?
The number of days spent in daycare largely depends on age, but experts believe that two to three days per week is ideal. This allows children to build relationships, refine social interactions, and learn cooperation skills.
What is the best age for daycare?
The best age to send a child to daycare is to wait until they are at least 12 months old for part-time care and at least four years old for full-time care.
Methodology
To determine the best daycare facilities in Raleigh, NC, data and information were sourced from local daycare facilities, ABC 11 Eyewitness News, and the National Library of Medicine.
Best Daycares in Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts
Choosing the right daycare for your family is a deeply personal decision. As you explore these excellent options in the Raleigh area, consider scheduling tours at your top choices to get a feel for each environment.
Pay attention to how staff interact with children, ask about curriculum and daily schedules, and trust your instincts about where your child will thrive.
For more information about moving to Raleigh and finding the perfect neighborhood for your family, contact Raleigh Realty.
