Trusted Childcare Services Across North Carolina

North Carolina has earned national recognition for its innovative early childhood system, featuring the groundbreaking Smart Start initiative and comprehensive Star Rated License system that together have made the Tar Heel State a leader in supporting quality childcare and early education for children and families. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) licenses and regulates all childcare facilities throughout the state, ensuring providers meet comprehensive health, safety, and program quality standards that protect children while supporting their developmental needs from the mountains to the coast. North Carolina’s Star Rated License system integrates quality rating directly into the licensing process, with programs receiving one to five stars based on staff education levels and program standards, creating clear quality indicators that help families identify high-quality childcare options. Smart Start, North Carolina’s internationally-recognized early childhood initiative, operates through local partnerships in all 100 counties, providing resources, technical assistance, and community-based support that strengthens childcare quality and access throughout the state. The NC Pre-K program provides free, high-quality preschool education for eligible four-year-olds, operating through licensed childcare centers, Head Start programs, and public schools that meet rigorous quality standards and prepare children for kindergarten success. North Carolina’s Child Care Subsidy program provides financial assistance to eligible families, helping low-income working parents and those in approved education programs access quality childcare that enables workforce participation and economic stability. Licensed providers must maintain specific staff-to-child ratios that vary by age group, with higher star ratings requiring more stringent ratios and smaller group sizes that support better outcomes for children. The state’s diverse geography from metropolitan Charlotte and the Research Triangle to rural Appalachian and coastal communities creates varied childcare landscapes with different challenges and opportunities depending on location. Parents seeking childcare in North Carolina should check star ratings through the DCDEE search system, verify licensing status, observe daily programming during visits, ask about curriculum approaches aligned with NC Foundations for Early Learning, and contact local Smart Start partnerships for resource and referral assistance. North Carolina’s commitment to early childhood quality is evident in continued investment in professional development, quality improvement support, and expanding access to high-quality programs across diverse communities.