The Child Advocacy and Parenting Place (CAPP) Child Care Resource & Referral Center provides referral services at no cost to families in New Hanover County. Referral services begin with a personal intake interview to determine the family’s needs, followed by counseling and education regarding identifying and 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 emailed or 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.

CAPP works with governmental and other community agencies to promote an awareness of children's issues. CAPP sponsors community-service activities, educational forums and professional development workshops for childcare providers and parents. Additional programs for families include Parent Aide, Single Parents’ Alliance, and Grandparents Support Network.

Contact staff Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM or visit the website (www.childadvocacywilm.org) for more information.

Sitter Connection is a professional babysitter referral service that aims to "Connect Families with Sitters," as their tag line says. All of the service's sitters are experienced, responsible, reliable and LOVE kids. They are all at least 18 years old, have gone through an application process, reference checks, background check and in-person interviews. In addition, all sitters are able to provide their own transportation and are CPR certified or in the process of being certified. Sitter Connection offers unique membership options as well as one-time, weekly and group placements. And if you need child care at the last minute, they can usually find a sitter with less than 24 hours notice, so don't hesitate to call.

The Wilmington YMCA offers after-school 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 8 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 via a bank draft. With so many fun options and programs for young people, the YMCA is a great option for after-school child care.

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 nontraditional after-school care program for young artists ages kindergarten through fifth grade from 2:30 to 6 PM.

SOLA's Home School program can take care of the art and music instruction for your curriculum. Classes are designed to meet all media and cultural exposure across grade levels in a child-friendly art studio. Students are thoroughly immersed in the creative process. Parents are welcome to stay and play, too! SOLA's Summer Camp for boys and girls puts the fun in summer camp; it features week-long sessions with age-appropriate groups and activities. Choose either Half Day Camp from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM or Full Day Camp from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Kids enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities. Messy, fabulous arts and crafts are an integral part of every day. Students create pottery on the wheel and by hand, make their own T-shirts, experience paint and glue in ways they never have before while building a variety of theme-based projects. Campers play with new and old friends in a home-like workshop and backyard environment. Teachers at SOLA don't just babysit, they rock the house.