Find Childcare
for FamiliesChildcare
Resource & Referral
Your child deserves high quality early education!
The Children’s Council helps to address the issue of quality, affordable childcare for families in Watauga County by contributing funding to the Child Care Subsidy Program through the Department of Social Services to support children in 4- and 5-star centers. Working families can apply for a subsidy to help cover the cost of childcare in a 4- or 5-star setting. In addition, we administer the county NC Pre-K program and provide funding for eligible families to have free preschool for 4-year-olds.
Choosing a childcare program is one of the most important decisions that families can make.
Finding quality childcare can be challenging. Region 9 Child Care Resource and Referral offers free referral services to our region. You know your child’s needs and the kind of care most appropriate for your child. Taking the time to find quality childcare will result in peace of mind while you are away from your child.
To talk to a referral specialist about options in our county, you can call 1-877-670-8735 or 704-380-3872. They can help you know who has openings, explain the star rating system, and answer any questions you may have. Additionally, you can visit the website for more childcare resources.
Do you know your childcare facility’s Star Rating?
Every parent wants what is best for their child, and that includes high-quality childcare. Licensed childcare centers and homes in North Carolina are rated on a One to Five Star scale to accurately reflect their overall quality. Four and Five Star childcare centers and family homes have increased program quality, higher staff education levels, and high compliance histories.
You can search for a childcare facility and learn more about their star rating, quality standards, and compliance history by visiting DCDEE Child Care Search. Additionally, you can file a complaint about a facility by visiting DCDEE Complaints.
D.U.A.L. School
D.U.A.L. School is a half-day preschool at The Children’s Council of Watauga County serving children and families from 8:30am-12:30pm Monday through Thursday. The DUAL School Program prepares children ages 3 and 4 years old for kindergarten. Our mission is to immerse children in a developmentally appropriate curriculum that involves hands-on learning. Our school focuses on providing an intentional learning space that supports and encourages children’s language development. A fundamental part of our program includes viewing children as capable and giving children open-ended opportunities to think, create, explore, and imagine. We believe that this is done through nurturing relationships and encouraging and support play and curiosity.
If you would like to apply to enroll your child in our school, please fill out the application for enrollment and tuition assistance form. You may email these forms to info@thechildrenscouncil.org or visit The Children’s Council to hand in forms or complete an application in person. You can also reach out to our office to meet our teachers and set up a tour of DUAL School.
NC Pre-Kindergarten
The Children's Council of Watauga County is the contract administrator for the NC Pre-K program and accepts applications to determine eligibility for the program. If you have questions, need more information or need assistance completing the application, please feel free to contact Miranda Vaughan at (828) 262-5424.
The North Carolina Pre-kindergarten Program (NC Pre-K) provides high quality educational experiences for eligible four-year-olds, in order to enhance their kindergarten readiness. In Watauga County, we have classrooms in the following schools:
- Hardin Park Elementary
- Valle Crucis Elementary
- Green Valley Elementary
- Bethel Elementary
- Mabel Elementary
- Parkway Elementary — Lucy Brock Collaborative Classroom
- Blowing Rock Elementary — Lucy Brock Collaborative Classroom
Eligibility:
To be eligible:
- Child must be four-years old on or before August 31st, 2025, for upcoming 2025-2026 school year.
- Child is from a family whose gross income is at or below 75% of the State Median Income (SMI).
- Children of certain military families are also eligible without regard to income.
- 20% of age eligible children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of 75% SMI if they have a documented risk factor in the following specific categories including:
Developmental Disability, Limited English Proficiency, Educational Need, Chronic Health Condition
Although a child may meet one or more eligibility factors, placement is not guaranteed in an NC Pre-K classroom.
For All Applicants:
Blank applications may be picked up at our office or at the Blue Ridge Pediatrics office. Families are encouraged to bring in their completed NC Pre-K applications and required documents. You may also complete the applications by mail, email or place in the drop box outside of our office located at 225 Birch Street, Suite 3 Boone, NC 28607.
Mail applications:
225 Birch Street Suite 3 Boone, NC 28607
Email all applications to-
info@thechildrenscouncil.org
(828) 262-5424 ext. 218
