Child Care

A wide range of child-care facilities, preschools and programs is available in the southern coast area. While we cannot list all of them here, we've provided a starting place. We encourage parents/ guardians to visit facilities they are considering at least once and preferably several times prior to enrolling their youngsters. After-school enrichment and youth development programs are offered by many day-care centers, schools, churches, the Wilmington Family YMCA and YWCA, the Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation Department, Girls Inc., Brigade Boys & Girls and other  organizations. Check our chapters on Sports, Fitness and Parks and Kidstuff (Summer Camps section, in particular) for more day camp and summer camp information. Again, a visit or two in advance is advisable.

Child Advocacy Commission 
Child Care Resource and Referral Center
1401 S. 39th St., Wilmington
(910) 791-1057 ext. 18, (888) 556-5624

The Child Advocacy Commission Child Care Resource & Referral Center provides referral services at no cost in New Hanover, Columbus and Bladen counties. Referral services begin with a personal intake interview to determine client needs, followed by counseling and education regarding choosing quality childcare.

Clients are provided an individualized list of appropriate placements and receive a follow-up consultation to obtain feedback or assist with additional lists or other support until childcare placement has been successful. Topics of discussion during the initial interview include: child development, parenting, quality indicators, the N.C. star-rated license, cost of care and potential funding sources, care supply and demand, the importance of involvement and advocacy for their children and their care, state regulations, and parent rights and responsibilities. Clients are also offered resource material and assistance obtaining help from other community agencies for child issues.

The CCR&R encourages all parents to visit a prospective site several times in order to make the best choice possible. Following the intake process, materials are mailed to all clients. This process helps create informed consumers who are confident their child is receiving the kind of care needed to be healthy, happy and ready for school.

Complaints or concerns about a child-care facility or inquiries about obtaining a facility’s compliance history should be directed to the N.C. Division of Child Development (DCD) at (800) 859-0829.

Child Advocacy works with governmental and other community agencies to promote an awareness of children’s issues. CAC sponsors community-service activities, educational forums and professional development workshops for childcare providers and parents.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM or visit the website for more information www.childadvocacywilm.org/

In 2005, 5,832 New Hanover children ages 0 to 12 were enrolled in regulated childcare, 22 percent of the total population of children in that age group (*Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2006). Additionally, there were 2,372 births in New Hanover County in 2005. (State Center for Health Statistics).  As of 2007, there were 79 licensed child-care centers and 83 licensed family child-care homes in New Hanover County.

Below we have listed child-care facilities with four or five stars as indicated on the Child Advocacy Commission website and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development website. The Insiders Guide® provides this information for your convenience only and does not endorse any facility.

Wilmington Family YMCA
2710 Market St., Wilmington
(910) 251-9622
www.wilmingtonfamilyymca.org

The Wilmington YMCA offers after-school day care to members and non-members for very reasonable prices. During regular school days, care is provided from 2:30 until 6 PM. On days when there is no school (i.e. teacher work days, some holidays, etc.) care is provided from 7:30 AM until 6 PM. Rates vary depending on the time of year and membership status. Transportation from certain schools to the YMCA facility is provided for a nominal fee, and payments can be made monthly or via bank draft. With so many fun options and programs for young people, the YMCA is a great option for after-school child care.

Brunswick County

Southport/Oak Island

Babies Learning Center, 1013 Caswell Avenue, Southport, (910) 457-9262

Childcare Network #85, 802 E. Leonard Street, Southport, (910) 457-0555

Kids World, 713 Caswell Avenue, Southport, (910) 457-0187

Brunswick County Beaches and Vicinity

Calabash Day Care, SR 1371 Thomasboro Road, Calabash, (910) 579-1104

For Kids Only & Brunswick Academy of Total Learning, 344 Mulberry Road, Shallotte, (910) 754-7777

For Kids Only Child Development Center, Inc. After School Program, 344 Mulberry Street, Shallotte, (910) 754-7777

Leland Family Literacy Center, 9272 Post Office Road, Leland, (910) 371-5760

Little Sandpiper's Learning Center, 972 Old Ocean Highway, Bolivia, (910) 754-3113

Longwood Head Start Center, 7360 Mt. Zion Church Road, Longwood, (910) 287-3637

Piney Grove Head Start Center, SR 1445, 71 Piney Grove Road NE, Bolivia, (910) 253-8155

SOLA – School of Learning and Art
216 Pine Grove Rd., Wilmington
(910) 798-1700

SOLA, the School of Learning Arts, is, as they say, "sooo not a day care center," so they don't offer full-day classes. What they do offer is something for creative children of all ages and abilities. Preschool, a program for 3- to 5-year-olds, is a curriculum balanced with school-preparatory academics, fine arts and developmental skills. Morning Half Day is from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM. After Preschool Art Program is held from 1 to 3 PM or until 5 PM if pre-arranged. This class is for 3- to 5-year-olds not registered for SOLA's morning pre-school. Students will experience a very relaxed class, plenty of fun and exploration with pottery, paint, glue and more. Think of it as a very artsy mid-day preschool. SOLA's After-School program offers classes in drawing, painting, mixed media, pottery and music. Also available is a non-traditional after-school care program for young artists ages kindergarten through fifth grade from 2:30 to 6 PM.