The Best Daycare Centers in Hubert, NC
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Hubert. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Hubert
The Children's Center of Hubert
Independent
The Children's Center of Hubert is a highly-regarded local childcare facility known for its nurturing environment and comprehensive educational programs. They employ state-certified early childhood educators who implement a play-based learning curriculum that focuses on social, emotional, and cognitive development. The center features secure facilities with coded entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor playgrounds. Their program includes daily learning activities, structured play, and developmental milestone tracking. They maintain low teacher-to-child ratios and offer nutritious meals and snacks. Parents consistently praise the center's caring staff, clean facilities, and excellent communication about their child's progress.
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Little Blessings Child Development Center
Independent
Located just minutes from Hubert in neighboring Swansboro, Little Blessings Child Development Center serves families throughout the Hubert area with their faith-based educational approach. The center employs degreed early childhood educators and uses the Creative Curriculum system, which emphasizes learning through exploration and play. Their secure facility includes monitored classrooms, age-specific learning centers, and fenced outdoor play areas. The center focuses on whole-child development with programs that build literacy, math readiness, and social skills. They maintain excellent staff retention rates and offer extended hours to accommodate military and working families from the Hubert/Camp Lejeune area.
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La Petite Academy of Jacksonville
Learning Care Group
As part of the national Learning Care Group network, La Petite Academy of Jacksonville serves the broader Hubert community with their research-based educational programs. The center implements the proprietary Digital Learning Program that integrates technology with hands-on activities to enhance learning. Their state-licensed teachers hold early childhood credentials and receive ongoing professional development. The facility features secure entry systems, modern classrooms, and developmentally appropriate learning materials. Their comprehensive curriculum focuses on school readiness skills including literacy, STEM concepts, and social-emotional development. The center offers flexible scheduling and serves many military families from the surrounding area, including Hubert residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Hubert, NC
What are the main types of licensed childcare options available for families in Hubert, NC?
In Hubert, NC, parents typically have access to three main types of licensed childcare facilities: child care centers, family child care homes, and preschool programs. Child care centers are larger facilities, often with multiple classrooms and staff, and are regulated by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). Family child care homes are smaller, home-based operations that provide care for a limited number of children, offering a more intimate setting. Given Hubert's proximity to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, you'll also find several programs familiar with the needs of military families, including those that may offer part-day preschool curricula. To find and verify the license of any facility, parents should use the DCDEE's online search tool to check for compliance with state standards on staff-to-child ratios, health, and safety.
How long are typical waitlists for daycare centers in Hubert, and how can I improve my chances of securing a spot?
Due to high demand, especially from military families associated with Camp Lejeune, waitlists for infant and toddler care at quality daycare centers in the Hubert area can often range from 3 to 9 months. For preschool-age children, waitlists may be shorter, typically 1-3 months. To improve your chances, it's highly recommended to begin your search and get on multiple waitlists as early as possible, even during pregnancy. Be proactive by contacting centers directly for tours, asking about their specific waitlist policies (some require a non-refundable fee), and updating your contact information regularly. Also, consider expanding your search to include licensed family child care homes in residential areas of Hubert, as they may have more immediate availability and shorter lists.
What is the average cost of full-time childcare for an infant or toddler in Hubert, NC?
The cost of childcare in Hubert is influenced by the local economy and the military presence. On average, parents can expect to pay between $800 and $1,200 per month for full-time infant care at a licensed center. Toddler care typically ranges from $750 to $1,000 monthly. Family child care homes often charge slightly less, averaging $650-$900 per month. These rates are generally on par with or slightly below the state average for North Carolina. It's important to ask what is included in the tuition (e.g., meals, snacks, curriculum materials). For eligible families, financial assistance is available through the North Carolina Child Care Subsidy Program, and military families may have access to additional fee assistance programs like the Department of Defense's Child Care Fee Assistance.
What specific questions should I ask during a tour of a daycare in Hubert, given the local context?
Beyond standard questions, parents in Hubert should ask locally-relevant questions. First, inquire about their experience and protocols for supporting military families, including flexibility for deployment-related schedule changes. Ask about their emergency preparedness plans, especially for hurricanes or severe weather common to the North Carolina coast. Check their staff turnover rate, as consistency is crucial for child development and can be a challenge in high-demand areas. Verify their state license is current and ask about their staff's required training in topics like Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention and safe sleep practices, which are part of NC regulations. Finally, ask about their sick policy and how they handle common childhood illnesses to understand potential disruptions to your work schedule.
Are there any unique local resources or programs to help parents find and evaluate childcare in Hubert?
Yes, parents in Hubert and surrounding Onslow County have several key local resources. The primary resource is the **Onslow County Partnership for Children (OCPC)**, which is your local Smart Start agency. They offer a free referral service to help parents find licensed childcare that meets their specific needs. They can also provide information on the NC Star Rated License system, which evaluates programs on a 1- to 5-star scale based on education standards and program quality. Additionally, the **Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)** service for the region, often accessed through the OCPC, can guide parents through subsidy applications. For military families, the **Camp Lejeune Child Development Center** and the **Military Child Care (MCC)** website are essential tools for finding on-base and affiliated community care with priority placement.