How do I choose the right daycare in Shelby?

When choosing a daycare in Shelby, consider visiting facilities in person and checking: Licensing status with North Carolina's regulatory agency Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in North Carolina) Safety measures and cleanliness Daily routines and educational curriculum Parent reviews and ratings Location and hours that fit your schedule

What types of daycare are available in Shelby?

Shelby offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 28 facilities Headstart Programs — 1 facilities Church Daycare — 2 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 7 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Daycare Centers in Shelby, North Carolina (38 Results)

Q: What is the average cost of daycare in North Carolina?

Daycare costs in North Carolina typically range from $200 to $400 per week for full-time care, depending on the child's age, facility type, and location within the state. Infant care tends to be more expensive due to lower staff-to-child ratio requirements. Contact individual facilities in Shelby for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Shelby

Ranked using a weighted score that combines Google rating with the number of parent reviews — daycares with more reviews rank higher than those with a high rating but few reviews. Last updated: March 2026.

Kids World Child Development Center

4.1 score

4.2(5)

1152 Wyke Road, Shelby, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Kids World Child Development Center in Shelby, NC receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the staff's warmth, family-like atmosphere, and developmental support. Most reviews highlight the center's welcoming environment and effective child development outcomes. One negative review cited rude customer service when inquiring about enrollment.

welcoming and kind stafffamily-like atmosphereeffective potty training supportregular developmental updates

Higher Learning Child Care Academy INC.

4 score

4(20)

1260 Airport Rd, Shelby, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Higher Learning Child Care Academy receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents highlight the caring and compassionate staff, strong communication, safe environment, educational activities, and family-oriented approach that make children feel at home.

Caring and compassionate staffexcellent communication between parents and staffsafe and secure facilityeducational and engaging activities

Anointed Children Childcare Academy LLC

3.51 score

3.2(8)

915 Fallston Road, Shelby, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Anointed Children Childcare Academy receives highly polarized reviews. Positive reviews praise the owner Mrs. Elise, staff compassion, developmental progress, and family-like atmosphere. Negative reviews cite cleanliness concerns, unprofessional staff behavior, strict late policies, and inadequate hygiene protocols.

Compassionate owner and staffstrong developmental progress in childrenexcellent teacher-parent communicationwelcoming family atmosphere

Mama Lissa'S Tiny Tot University

3.5 score

3(5)

107 Valentine Drive, Shelby, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

MAMA LISSA'S TINY TOT UNIVERSITY receives mixed reviews with stark contrasts. Positive reviews praise the caring teachers, allergy management, and welcoming environment. Negative reviews report issues with handling children with autism, strict behavioral expectations, and safety concerns including unexplained injuries.

Caring and wonderful teachersstrong allergy awarenessgood paperwork managementpositive classroom environment

Little Gems Learning Academy

3.42 score

3(7)

607 Mcbrayer Homestead Road, Shelby, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Little Gems Learning Academy receives mixed reviews. Multiple parents praise the caring staff, educational activities, and child development, with several reporting their children thrived during their time there. However, several parents reported serious concerns including sudden enrollment termination, unresponsive enrollment staff, and unexplained bruising incidents.

Caring and patient staffchildren enjoy attendingeducational curriculum (ABCs and songs)good communication about child illness

Shelby Child Care Development Center INC

3.05 score

2.1(5)

124 West Sumter Street, Shelby, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Shelby Child Care Development Center receives mixed reviews with significant concerns about care quality and staff accountability. While one parent reported initial positive experiences with communication and learning outcomes, multiple parents documented issues with inadequate supervision, poor hygiene practices, inconsistent teaching, and inappropriate staff behavior. The facility has experienced notable decline in standards over time according to long-term parent observati

Kiddieland Child Development Center

2.77 score

2.3(13)

2231 S Post Road, Shelby, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Reviews are sharply divided with no middle ground. Positive reviewers praise the friendly staff, clean facilities, structured curriculum, and child development outcomes over multiple years. Negative reviewers cite unkempt classrooms, unwelcoming staff, poor learning outcomes, and overall poor quality.

Friendly and welcoming staffclean and colorful facilitiesstructured lesson plans and curriculumchild development in cognitive/social/emotional skills

Daycare Centers in Shelby, North Carolina

There are 38 daycare centers in Shelby, North Carolina. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Shelby, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.

Frequently asked questions

There are 38 all daycares in Shelby, North Carolina. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Shelby, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:

Licensing status with North Carolina's regulatory agency
Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in North Carolina)
Safety measures and cleanliness
Daily routines and educational curriculum
Parent reviews and ratings
Location and hours that fit your schedule

Shelby offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 28 facilities
Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
Church Daycare — 2 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 7 facilities

Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Daycare costs in North Carolina typically range from $200 to $400 per week for full-time care, depending on the child's age, facility type, and location within the state. Infant care tends to be more expensive due to lower staff-to-child ratio requirements. Contact individual facilities in Shelby for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Shelby must be licensed by North Carolina's childcare licensing agency. Licensed facilities are required to meet standards for safety, health, staff qualifications, and staff-to-child ratios. You can verify a facility's license status through your state's licensing database.

38 Daycare Centers in Shelby, North Carolina

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Shelby

Top Rated

Apples Of Gold Too

Creative Kidz Preschool INC.

Apples Of Gold Preschool

Play Palace Preschool INC.

Kelli'S Little Angels Early Childhood Dev. Ctr. #1

Westview Baptist Day Care Center

Map

Daycare types in Shelby

Browse by type in Shelby