Licensed Daycare in Raleigh, North Carolina
70 licensed daycares in Raleigh, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official North Carolina licensing records.
Raleigh listings updated May 2026 from official North Carolina records.
Daycare in Raleigh: what parents should know
Raleigh has 70 licensed childcare providers in our directory. Every provider here holds a current North Carolina license at indexing time, sourced from NC Division of Child Development and Early Education.
For age coverage, 9 centers in Raleigh report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 9 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 10 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Raleigh spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 11% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Together, licensed providers in Raleigh report capacity for roughly 4,962 children — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Raleigh childcare by the numbers
Childcare costs in Raleigh
ChildCare Aware reports the North Carolina average full-time cost at $980/month for infant care and $750/month for preschool. City-level prices in Raleigh vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. North Carolina families may also qualify for NC Child Care Subsidy Program (intake: (919) 814-6300).
Full North Carolina licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- NC Division of Child Development and Early Education
- Infant ratio
- 1:5
- Toddler ratio
- 1:6
- Preschool ratio
- 1:15
- Avg capacity
- 70 kids
Largest licensed centers in Raleigh
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Raleigh licensed centers
Page 2 of 5Each listing links to the full state-record details, including last inspection date if reported.
Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Raleigh, North Carolina?
What's the average daycare cost in Raleigh?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Raleigh daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Raleigh?
How do I verify a Raleigh daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Raleigh
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programNC Child Care Subsidy Program can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(919) 814-6300 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with NC Division of Child Development and Early Education.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Raleigh
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Raleigh, North Carolina are compiled from official NC Division of Child Development and Early Education licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology
Search 70 Licensed Centers in Raleigh
Free, no signup, verified directly with NC Division of Child Development and Early Education.