Spring Lake, NC · Raleigh Metro, NC · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Spring Lake

Spring Lake grew from a small railroad town incorporated in 1951 into a vibrant military community shaped by its proximity to Fort Liberty, one of the largest U.S. Army installations in the world. The town's defining character reflects its role as a major off-base housing corridor for military families, fostering an exceptionally diverse population where the armed forces employ nearly one-third of the workforce. Spring Lake's motto, "Unity for Prosperity," captures the spirit of a community built around shared military heritage and strong civilian-military integration. Spring Lake's childcare landscape spans everything from infant care through school-age programs, reflecting the diverse needs of families in this Raleigh-area community. We scored each DCDEE-licensed childcare center across 11 real dimensions — safety, curriculum, arts & music, infant care, kindergarten readiness and more. Scores drawn from major public review platforms and parent communities — not center marketing.

2Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
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Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Licensed Childcare Center
5-Star NC LicensedSubsidized Care AcceptedInfant & Toddler CareMilitary Families Served
5.9/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
6
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
6
Class sizes
5
Extracurriculars
6
Wonder Years Child Care & Learning Center at Anderson Creek Club is a NC DCDEE Five-Star licensed childcare center at 216 Anderson Creek Drive in Spring Lake (28390), serving infants through age 12 with extended hours from 5:45 AM to 6:00 PM. The center accepts military subsidies and DSS-funded care, making it a practical option for Fort Liberty-area families, and maintains a largely clean inspection record with only one minor violation noted since 2022. Parent reviews online are sparse and mixed, reflecting staffing and curriculum concerns, but the 5-star state license and full-spectrum age coverage distinguish it as one of the top-rated institutional childcare providers in Spring Lake.

Strengths

  • NC DCDEE Five-Star licensed center (license #43000499), the highest state star rating, serving Spring Lake's 28390 zip code in Cumberland County
  • Large capacity of 133 children serving infants as young as six weeks through age 12, making it one of the most comprehensive full-spectrum childcare options in Spring Lake
  • Accepts military subsidies and DSS (NC subsidized child care program), particularly valuable given the center's proximity to Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg)
  • Peanut-free facility with extended hours (5:45 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday), accommodating early-shift military and civilian working parents
  • Inspection record from 2022 through early 2024 shows only one minor violation (electrical outlet safety plugs in infant room, April 2023) — otherwise clean compliance history
  • Award-winning developmental programs for infants through school-age with an emphasis on educational and social-emotional growth

Considerations

  • Parent reviews across multiple platforms are largely negative or absent — concerns raised about inconsistent opening times, staff absences, and combined classrooms when short-staffed
  • Some parents describe curriculum as craft-heavy in the pre-K room, with limited structured educational activities relative to what a 5-star designation might suggest
  • Large enrollment of 133 children may contribute to crowding and higher child-to-teacher ratios during peak hours
  • No confirmed Google Maps rating or Yelp rating could be sourced — online visibility and community engagement appear limited
  • DCDEE license number 43000499 indicates a newer licensing history; families should verify current inspection status directly with NC DCDEE
2
Just Like Mom Development Center
Licensed Childcare Center
5-Star NC LicensedNC Pre-K ProgramSubsidized Care AcceptedMilitary-Area Serving
5.6/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
6
Teachers
5
Compassion
7
Mgmt
5
Culture
6
Class sizes
6
Extracurriculars
5
Just Like Mom Development Center is a NC DCDEE Five-Star licensed childcare center at 408 Spring Ave in Spring Lake (28390), serving infants through age 12 with a capacity of 112 children and a dedicated NC Pre-K program for 4-year-olds. Founded in 2011 and located in Cumberland County near Fort Liberty, the center accepts subsidized care and has maintained its 5-star designation over more than a decade of operation. However, the 2023 inspection record reveals a pattern of recurring administrative and safety violations — including expired certifications and foam product access for infants — that prospective families should weigh alongside the center's strong state licensing tier.

Strengths

  • NC DCDEE Five-Star licensed center (license #26001894), the highest state rating, confirmed via childcarecenter.us
  • Founded in 2011 and continuously operating in Spring Lake's 28390 zip code — over 13 years of community presence
  • Serves children from infants through age 12, including a dedicated NC Pre-K program for 4-year-olds
  • Participates in NC subsidized child care program, expanding access for lower-income and military families near Fort Liberty
  • Capacity of 112 children with a stated emphasis on personalized attention and meeting each child's unique developmental needs
  • One verified parent review describes staff as caring and effective even with children who present behavioral challenges, praising the warm and nurturing environment

Considerations

  • State inspection records from 2023 note several compliance items, including lapses in First Aid and CPR certification, missing child care law acknowledgments, and gaps in dental and vision screening, with some noted as repeat items; parents may wish to review the center's current licensing record for the latest status.
  • No dedicated website found publicly, limiting transparency for prospective families researching the center remotely
  • No Google, Yelp, or Care.com reviews currently on file — community review footprint is very thin for a center of this age
  • State inspection records from a December 2023 visit note several compliance items, including a finding related to foam products being accessible to infants; parents may wish to review the facility's inspection history and confirm current supervision practices directly.
  • Hours of operation details (Monday–Friday) are not specified beyond weekday service — exact open/close times not confirmed from public sources
What parents say
“I LOVE this daycare and the employees!!!!!! My grandson can be a handful and they worked with him and he is doing excellent there...”
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