What is the best daycare in Charlotte? (preschool, zip code) - North Carolina (NC) - City-Data Forum

mariogv · 03-13-2009, 05:42 PM

Does anyone know which is the best daycare for a 2.5 year old that is:

Full-time M-F 9 am until 5 pm
Is year round, which includes summer
have small classroom sizes or the ration of teacher to students is small
is safe for our child
serve hot meals
the teachers posses advance degrees, so the teaching will help stimulate our child in a positive manner
cost is not the issue, as our child is worth the price

We welcome all suggestion no matter area of Charlotte this school maybe! :-)

Thank you in advance!!

travlingrlclt · 03-13-2009, 06:47 PM

Calvary is my vote. Has everything I could have asked for. My son is 2.5 also

marblmom · 03-13-2009, 07:32 PM

I would also say Calvary.
Calvary Child Development Center

gkleoni1 · 03-13-2009, 07:59 PM

Out of curiosity, are there crazy waitlists for their programs? Specifically I am looking for their 3 yr old preschool I guess 9 - 1 program. TIA

marblmom · 03-13-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkleoni1

Out of curiosity, are there crazy waitlists for their programs? Specifically I am looking for their 3 yr old preschool I guess 9 - 1 program. TIA

Yes - there are very long waitlists. Signups are usually in early Jan for the following fall. You need to get there VERY early and wait to get a spot. Several years ago, I got there at 5 a.m. to sign up and was 8th on the wait list.

gkleoni1 · 03-13-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marblmom

Yes - there are very long waitlists. Signups are usually in early Jan for the following fall. You need to get there VERY early and wait to get a spot. Several years ago, I got there at 5 a.m. to sign up and was 8th on the wait list.

OK so probably not where my daughter will be going next year huh? I might still fill out the forms, who knows?

NCgirl · 03-14-2009, 08:00 AM

Here is a good resource the NC Division of Child Development Search Site.

You can look up information by name, city, county or zip code. You can also narrow your search - for example only centers in Charlotte with a five star license. Under DCD Visits you can see if they have had any complaints or violations and what actions the NC DCD took.

Locally, Child Care Resources Inc. (http://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/esearch/default.aspx - broken link) may be helpful.

mullman · 03-14-2009, 08:42 AM

+3 Calvary.
It is top rated in the state.

3-4K programs at some places yield camp-outs, the demand is that high.

travlingrlclt · 03-14-2009, 08:52 AM

yes, you should always fill out forms. I know several people that got a call at the last min. Especially now with the economy more people are taking their kids out so the wait isn't as long.

cmhousesearch · 06-01-2009, 04:29 PM

A friend of mine was in the same boat--she filled out the forms, and was able to get in after a few people changed their mind before school started, or right after.

Both her and her husband work full time and had to be at work by eight, and were not able to wait in line at four in the morning on the day of sign up.

They actually got in several different ones they liked by filling out the forms, even though they were not on the official lists before hand.

Best of luck to you!