Safety8
Curriculum8.5
Art/Music0
Infant care7.5
K-ready7.5
Teachers9
Compassion9
Mgmt7
Culture8
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars7.5
Strengths
Considerations
What parents say
“I can't say enough good things about The Goddard School in Matthews. They are a 5-star school and all the teachers and staff show why every day. It's very well run, the teachers really care about the kids, learning is made fun for the kids with a good balance between work and play. Safety and cleanliness are also top priorities, which helps put this overprotective mom at ease. My son is very happy there too - no complaints about going to his 'work' every day when I go to mine.”
“We absolutely love this school. Between the teachers, staff, and curriculum - so happy we found them!!!!”
“We love our Goddard teachers! My son has grown so much with the love and compassion shown by the school.”
Safety7.5
Curriculum7.5
Art/Music0
Infant care7
K-ready7
Teachers8
Compassion8.5
Mgmt0
Culture8
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars0
Strengths
Considerations
What parents say
“My twins started at 6 weeks old and just finished last month. My kids loved it and constantly ask can they go back to visit.”
“The teachers are very genuine and you can feel the love they have for my child. Not only do they love them my child has learned so much.”
“We have been with Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church about 6 months now, and have had a wonderful experience from day one.”
Safety8
Curriculum8
Art/Music7
Infant care3
K-ready8
Teachers8
Compassion9
Mgmt8
Culture9
Class sizes6
Extracurriculars7
Covenant Day School is a JK-12 Christ-centered college preparatory school in Matthews, NC, operated as a ministry of Christ Covenant Church (PCA) with approximately 1,041 students. Its Junior Kindergarten program (age 4+) emphasizes play-based, developmentally appropriate learning within a strong faith framework; the school operates under NC's religious-sponsored child care exemption and carries no DCDEE star rating. Parent reviews consistently praise the biblical integration, nurturing teachers, and tight-knit community, with Niche scoring it 4.16/5 across 125 reviews.
Strengths
- Deep biblical integration throughout curriculum — described by parents as 'unmatched'
- JK program uses play-based, developmentally appropriate learning with small group instruction
- Before-school care free from 7:30 am; Extended Day Program available for JK-8
- Ministry of Christ Covenant Church (PCA) — strong community culture and family feel
- Ranked top 20% of NC private schools; Niche 4.16/5 from 125 reviews
Considerations
- No DCDEE star rating — operates under religious exemption/Notice of Compliance, limiting external quality benchmarking
- JK tuition starts at $14,290/year — significant cost barrier
- Capacity data not publicly disclosed
- Google review count not available; no Yelp rating found
- Serves JK (age 4+) only — no infant or toddler care
What parents say
“The faculty and staff genuinely care and nurture students...CDS is truly unique.”
“Biblical integration was a priority for us...the level of biblical integration at CDS is unmatched.”
“The teachers have a heart for God and their work...the leaders are unmatched.”
Safety0
Curriculum0
Art/Music0
Infant care0
K-ready0
Teachers7.5
Compassion7.5
Mgmt0
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars0
Strengths
Considerations
What parents say
“I Love this facility! My children have been coming here since they were babies!! The staff is so friendly and inviting, the atmosphere is comforting and calm. Both my children love the aftercare program and the teachers here!”
“Our 3 year old child has attended Kids 'R' Kids Matthews since he was baby and now our second child also attends. We have always been really impressed by the lines of communication that is always shown to parents by teachers and administrative staff. We have always had a sense of peace with knowing that our children are in good hands and are being taken care of really well throughout their day.”
“Hands down one of the best childcare centers around. I've had 3 kids here for the past 5 years and plan to continue using them for the next 5+ years. Very low turnover on staff, reliable and compassionate teachers, and small class sizes give this center a true family feel.”
Safety7
Curriculum7
Art/Music7
Infant care7
K-ready7
Teachers8
Compassion8
Mgmt7
Culture8
Class sizes6
Extracurriculars7
Ladybug Learning Academy is a DCDEE 4-star licensed private childcare center in Matthews, NC, serving infants through school-age children in a nurturing Christian environment. Established in 2018, the center emphasizes hands-on learning, low staff turnover, and warm teacher-family relationships, earning consistent praise from parents for its caring culture and safe, engaging classrooms. With a capacity of 169 and a broad curriculum spanning STEAM, arts, and social-emotional development, it is a solid mid-tier option in the Matthews 28104 corridor.
Strengths
- Warm, family-oriented staff praised for low turnover and reliability
- Christian nurturing environment with emphasis on whole-child development
- Curriculum includes arts & crafts, music & movement, sensory exploration, and pre-academic work
- Live-stream cameras and security code entry for parent peace of mind
- Accepts subsidized child care; established since 2018
- Large facility (169 capacity) with multiple age-separated classrooms
Considerations
- Only 4-star DCDEE rating (not 5-star); past inspection citations for documentation and playground surfacing
- Limited public reviews on major platforms — Google rating not publicly confirmed
- Christian-oriented mission may not appeal to all families
What parents say
“We love having Henley at Ladybug Learning Academy. From her teacher Mrs. Dana to front office staff we know it's a great environment for her to learn, grow, and play.”
“I love how excited my child gets to go to school everyday. We love Ladybug.”
“Our son just started daycare here and is loving all his caretakers! The staff is so pleasant and they have good snacks/meals for the kids!”
Safety6
Curriculum7
Art/Music6
Infant care7
K-ready7
Teachers6
Compassion7
Mgmt6
Culture6
Class sizes6
Extracurriculars7
Childcare Network #96 is a large, 5-star NC-licensed childcare center in Matthews serving infants through school-age children with a full suite of programs including free NC Pre-K and USDA meals. While it earns the state's top rating and draws praise for engaged teachers and a nurturing environment, a Google rating of 3.9 and documented 2023 inspection findings point to ongoing staff turnover and oversight challenges that prospective families should weigh.
Strengths
- 5-star NC DCDEE license — highest state rating
- Large capacity (173) with full age range: infants (6 wks) through school-age (12 yrs)
- Free NC Pre-K program available on-site
- USDA-approved free meals and snacks included
- HighReach Learning curriculum with STEM emphasis
- Transportation provided to Elizabeth Lane Elementary School
- Director holds Bachelor's degree with Early Childhood Administration credentials
Considerations
- Google rating is modest at 3.9 with some reviews citing high staff turnover
- 2023 DCDEE inspections documented supervision lapses and facility maintenance issues (peeling paint, muddy playground)
- Some parent complaints about management responsiveness and staff consistency
- Yelp page blocked — independent review count unavailable
What parents say
“My daughter is excited to go to school each day and I love that her teachers push her”
“I have a peace of mind here in knowing that my children are well taken care of.”
“The school from this time my boys have started has been great. They are very hands on and patient with the kids.”
Safety4.5
Curriculum7
Art/Music0
Infant care6.5
K-ready6
Teachers6.5
Compassion6
Mgmt4
Culture5.5
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars0
Strengths
Considerations
What parents say
“My 2 year old son can't wait to go to see Ms Holly every morning! He is loved, happy and learning new things every day!”
“We have been very happy with our experience at Tutor Time - all teachers and staff are wonderful and my daughter enjoys going to school. We recently moved to the area, and are grateful to have such a great school closeby.”
“Wonderful teachers and a compassionate, respectful environment.”
Safety2
Curriculum6
Art/Music0
Infant care5
K-ready0
Teachers5
Compassion6
Mgmt2
Culture2
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars0
Strengths
Considerations
What parents say
“The children and the families are wonderful! I love my class! The past admin team was amazing and have since moved on due to the lack of support from upper management. As a current teacher looking for other employment I would suggest the owner let her admin staff run the school.”
“Loved the environment and freedom I was given. Ownership and management were supportive and genuinely made me a part of the family. Bonds I'll never forget!”
“Management is very backwards. Zero common sense and will not listen to staff input.”
Safety2.5
Curriculum0
Art/Music0
Infant care0
K-ready0
Teachers0
Compassion0
Mgmt2
Culture0
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars0
Strengths
Considerations
What parents say
“The students were wonderful and great”
“Hours were cut and had to work until 6pm when I should have finished at 3pm”
“Company is unorganized with lack of communication and structure with the Director”
Safety0
Curriculum0
Art/Music0
Infant care0
K-ready0
Teachers0
Compassion0
Mgmt0
Culture0
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars0
Strengths
Considerations
Safety0
Curriculum0
Art/Music0
Infant care0
K-ready0
Teachers0
Compassion0
Mgmt0
Culture0
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars0
Strengths
Considerations
What parents say
“Your daycare rocks! They are amazing... he is well-cared for at that daycare!! Your daycare stands out. They must be organized because he is on time, the background noise is minimal and his teacher asks questions when she doesn't understand. They want to get it right!”
Safety0
Curriculum0
Art/Music0
Infant care0
K-ready0
Teachers0
Compassion0
Mgmt0
Culture0
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars0
Strengths
Considerations
No centers match this filter.