Licensed Daycare in Surf City, North Carolina
5 licensed daycares in Surf City, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official North Carolina licensing records.
Surf City listings updated August 2026 from official North Carolina records.
Daycare in Surf City: what parents should know
Surf City has 5 licensed childcare providers in our directory, with Montessori 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, 1 center in Surf City report infant care (roughly 20% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early).
About 20% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, Surf City's licensed centers hold about 406 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Surf City childcare by the numbers
Childcare costs in Surf City
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 Surf City 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
- 81 kids
What will daycare actually cost you in Surf City?
Estimate your monthly cost by age and program type, then see which subsidies and tax credits you may qualify for.
ZIP codes covered
What to pack for the first day
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Dishwasher-safe ones survive daily bottle washing; paper labels peel within a week.
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Ask the center first — many supply cots but require your own fitted sheet.
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Two full changes per day for potty-training age, one for older kids.
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Most centers ask for one clearly named bottle a child can open alone.
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Needed if the center does not provide meals; look for one that fits an ice pack.
Browse options on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are the same for you. Full list by age in our daycare supply checklist.
Largest licensed centers in Surf City
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
No openings near Surf City? Widen the search
Waitlists are normal in high-demand areas. Centers one ZIP code over often have space, and part-time or in-home options may open sooner — start by checking nearby ZIP codes.
Found a center in Surf City? Here is what to pack
Bottles, name labels, nap bedding and spare clothes — our checklist by age covers what centers ask you to bring, and what they ask you not to send.
All Surf City licensed centers
Page 1 of 1Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.
Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Surf City, North Carolina?
What's the average daycare cost in Surf City?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Surf City daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Surf City?
How do I verify a Surf City daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Surf City
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 Surf City
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Surf City, 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 · August 2026 · methodology
Search 5 Licensed Centers in Surf City
Free, no signup, verified directly with NC Division of Child Development and Early Education.