Leland, NC · Wilmington Metro, NC · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Leland

Leland has emerged as one of North Carolina's fastest-growing towns, with its population nearly doubling between 2010 and 2020 as families and businesses relocated to this thriving suburb just west of Wilmington. Founded in 1898 as a small railroad settlement, Leland has transformed into a vital commercial hub for the Cape Fear region, serving as a gateway to Wilmington's renowned film and television production industry and the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina's busiest seaport. We analyzed all 3 North Carolina-licensed childcare centers in Leland, scoring each across 11 real dimensions from parent reviews and public records. 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.

3Centers 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
Excel Learning Centers #5
111 Thomas Garst Ln, Leland, NC 28451
★ 3.8 (26 Google)    ·  Licensed Childcare Center
5-Star DCDEEChristian ValuesBrunswick County
6.9/ 10
Safety
7
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
8
Mgmt
7
Culture
8
Class sizes
6
Extracurriculars
6
Excel Learning Centers #5 is a 5-star DCDEE-rated center in Leland's Brunswick County, serving the growing residential communities west of Wilmington. It offers faith-grounded early education for infants through school-agers, including NC Pre-K and Head Start slots. While parent feedback is mixed on third-party sites, its state licensure standing and community reach make it the leading licensed center in the Leland area.

Strengths

  • 5-star DCDEE rating with large capacity (199) serving Leland's fast-growing population
  • Christian values-based curriculum; accepts NC Child Care Subsidy and Head Start
  • Nominee for 2024 Best of Wilmington Magazine in childcare
  • Serves ages 6 weeks through 12 including NC Pre-K and Head Start programs

Considerations

  • 3.8-star Birdeye rating across 26 reviews — mixed parent feedback
  • Inspection records from July–December 2025 document staffing, safety, and cleanliness violations
  • Large enrollment can result in less personalized care
What parents say
“The staff truly care about the children, and the environment is both fun and educational.”
“When you walk into the building, you're greeted with smiling faces and a loving energy.”
“The teachers are very interactive with the kids and the rooms are very spacious.”
2
Learning Bridge Leland
9272 Post Office Road, Leland, NC 28451
Licensed Childcare Center
5.8/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
6
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
7
Extracurriculars
4
Learning Bridge Leland is the Brunswick County outpost of the Learning Bridge of Wilmington network, operating at 9272 Post Office Road in Leland with a licensed capacity of 71 children from birth through age 12. As Leland continues its rapid growth as a Wilmington suburb, this 3-star licensed center serves families who need a local alternative to commuting into the city for childcare.

Strengths

  • Part of the Learning Bridge of Wilmington network with consistent standards
  • Serves infants through age 12 including school-age care
  • Located in fast-growing Leland community of Brunswick County
  • Participates in subsidized childcare program

Considerations

  • 3-star rating — room for quality improvement
  • No parent reviews found on major review platforms
3
Childcare Network #84
787 Village Road NE, Leland, NC 28451
Licensed Childcare Center
5-Star DCDEENC Pre-K AvailableInfant–School AgeBrunswick County
0.0/ 10
Safety
0
Curriculum
0
Art/Music
0
Infant care
0
K-ready
0
Teachers
0
Compassion
0
Mgmt
0
Culture
0
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
0
Childcare Network #84 is a 5-star DCDEE-licensed center at 787 Village Road NE in Leland, serving children from infants through school-age with a capacity of 109. It uses the HighReach Learning curriculum, offers NC Pre-K enrollment, USDA-approved free meals and snacks, subsidized care, and provides transportation to Lincoln and Belville Elementary Schools.

Strengths

    Considerations

      No centers match this filter.

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