The Best Daycare Centers in Atkinson, NC
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Atkinson. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Atkinson
The Goddard School of Leland
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Leland offers a premier early childhood education program with F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic learning with play-based development. Their curriculum focuses on literacy, STEM, art, and social-emotional development with highly qualified teachers who hold degrees in early childhood education. The facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate playgrounds, and bright, modern classrooms with advanced learning materials. They maintain low student-teacher ratios and provide daily communication to parents about their child's activities and progress.
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Primrose School of Wilmington at Mayfaire
Primrose Schools
Primrose School of Wilmington at Mayfaire provides the exclusive Balanced Learning® approach that combines purposeful play with nurturing guidance from trained teachers. Their research-based curriculum includes character development, literacy, math, science, and creative arts in a safe, stimulating environment. The school features secure facilities with coded entry, outdoor learning environments, and dedicated music and art rooms. All teachers receive ongoing professional development and are trained in CPR and first aid. The school emphasizes partnership with families through regular communication and parent resources.
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Creative Schools of Wilmington
Creative Schools, Inc.
Creative Schools of Wilmington offers a comprehensive early childhood program that emphasizes creative expression, academic readiness, and social development. Their curriculum incorporates the Creative Curriculum® system with hands-on learning centers, literacy-rich environments, and developmentally appropriate practices. The center features secure facilities with surveillance systems, age-segregated playgrounds with safety surfaces, and spacious classrooms designed for optimal learning. Staff members include experienced early childhood educators with ongoing training in child development and safety protocols. The program includes nutritious meals and snacks, regular developmental assessments, and strong parent-teacher partnerships.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Atkinson, NC
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Atkinson, NC?
In Atkinson and the surrounding Pender County area, full-time daycare costs can vary based on the type of facility. For a licensed childcare center, you can expect to pay between $650 to $850 per month for an infant or toddler. In-home family childcare homes often range from $500 to $700 per month. These rates are generally lower than in larger North Carolina cities like Wilmington, but it's important to note that availability can be limited in this small town. Be sure to ask what is included in the weekly rate, such as meals, snacks, and curriculum materials. North Carolina also offers a Child Care Subsidy Program for eligible families to help offset these costs.
How can I verify that a daycare in Atkinson is properly licensed and check its compliance history?
All childcare providers in Atkinson must be licensed by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). The easiest way to verify a provider's license and review their history is to use the online "Child Care Search" tool on the NC DHHS website. You can search by the provider's name, city (Atkinson), or zip code. This tool will show you the license status, capacity, ages served, and any serious compliance issues or star-rated license level (a 1 to 5-star scale based on education standards and program quality). You can also contact the DCDEE Regional Office that covers Pender County for additional information.
Are there many daycare options with immediate openings in Atkinson, or should I expect to join a waitlist?
Due to Atkinson's small, rural nature, daycare options are limited compared to larger towns. It is very common for both centers and in-home providers to have waitlists, especially for infants and toddlers. It is highly recommended that parents begin their search at least 3-6 months before they need care. When contacting providers, always ask about their current waitlist length and if they offer a priority for local residents. You may need to expand your search to nearby communities like Burgaw, Willard, or even into Columbus County for more availability.
What are the main types of childcare settings available to parents in Atkinson?
Parents in Atkinson typically have two main licensed options. The first is Family Child Care Homes, which are smaller, home-based settings often offering a more flexible, family-like environment for mixed-age groups. The second is Child Care Centers, which are larger facilities, though there are very few physically located within Atkinson's town limits; many families use centers in neighboring towns. Additionally, you may find legally operating "unlicensed" providers who care for fewer than five children unrelated to them. For school-age children, the Pender County Schools district may offer before and after-school programs at local elementary schools.
Does Atkinson or Pender County offer any public preschool programs like NC Pre-K, and how do I qualify?
Yes, the NC Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) program is available in Pender County for eligible 4-year-olds. This is a free, high-quality pre-school program designed to enhance school readiness. While the specific classroom locations may be in larger towns like Burgaw, eligible families from Atkinson can apply. Qualification is based on family income (at or below 75% of the state median income), developmental or educational needs, limited English proficiency, or being a child of an active-duty military family. Applications are managed through the Pender County Partnership for Children, which is the local Smart Start partnership. They can provide the most current application information and site locations.