KinderCare at Wake Forest University Achieves Prestigious 5-Star Rating in Early Childhood Education
March 13, 2025
The KinderCare child care and early education center at Wake Forest University has recently been awarded a 5-Star quality rating, the highest honor bestowed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Division of Child Development and Early Education. This significant recognition underscores KinderCare’s unwavering dedication to fostering a safe, nurturing, and intellectually stimulating environment that promotes the holistic development of children from infancy through pre-K.
The official announcement of the 5-Star rating will take effect on March 20, just six months after the center opened its doors on September 30, 2024. The establishment of this facility was a direct response to the pressing need for high-quality child care services in Winston-Salem. Ann Phelps, a KinderCare parent and Director of Programming for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest, highlighted the center’s importance, stating, “I experienced the child care desert first-hand when I first started working at Wake Forest. Now I can rely on a safe and healthy environment that cares for my child, and I am welcome to visit any time during the day.”
The 5-Star rating is determined by a comprehensive evaluation of several key areas, including staff qualifications, educational curricula, health and safety standards, and family engagement practices. Achieving this elite status reflects KinderCare’s commitment to excellence and the development of effective learning frameworks tailored to young children’s needs.
In response to feedback from parents, KinderCare at Wake Forest University will also be adjusting its operating hours to better accommodate the schedules of working families. Beginning March 17, the center will open at 7:30 a.m., providing an additional 30 minutes of care to support parents who require earlier drop-off times.
The center caters not only to the families of faculty, staff, and students but also extends its services to broader community members. Those interested in exploring enrollment options, tuition details, or general inquiries about the center are encouraged to reach out directly at 336-666-5620.
As early childhood education continues to gain attention for its critical role in lifelong success, the KinderCare center at Wake Forest University stands out as a model of quality service, setting a benchmark for similar establishments across the state. This recognition not only assures parents of their children’s educational foundation but also contributes to the overall child care landscape in the Winston-Salem area.
