Licensed Daycare in Wilmington, North Carolina
15 licensed daycares in Wilmington, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official North Carolina licensing records.
Wilmington listings updated May 2026 from official North Carolina records.
Daycare in Wilmington: what parents should know
There are 15 licensed childcare providers on record in Wilmington, with Child Care Center the most common type (about 20% of local listings). 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, 2 centers in Wilmington report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 1 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 2 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Wilmington spans 5+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 13% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
In total, Wilmington providers are approved for approximately 1,032 child slots — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Wilmington childcare by the numbers
Childcare costs in Wilmington
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 Wilmington 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
- 68 kids
Largest licensed centers in Wilmington
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Wilmington licensed centers
Page 1 of 1Pick a provider above to see the full profile, including current license status, age range served, and phone number.
Parent-asked basics on licensing, ratios, and waitlist timing for this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Wilmington, North Carolina?
What's the average daycare cost in Wilmington?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Wilmington daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Wilmington?
How do I verify a Wilmington daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Wilmington
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 Wilmington
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Wilmington, 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 15 Licensed Centers in Wilmington
Free, no signup, verified directly with NC Division of Child Development and Early Education.