Children and an adult watching an aquarium exhibit with various fish and aquatic animals, some swimming close to the glass.

Downtown Raleigh’s Trusted Childcare Center

“We believe every child deserves an exceptional start in life, and every parent deserves the confidence that their child is safe, loved, and inspired every day.”

Welcome to Little Makers Academy, where little learners grow, explore, and thrive in the heart of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina!

Serving children from 6 weeks to 10 years old, our nurturing early childhood center is designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence from the very beginning. Through hands-on activities, play-based learning, and age-appropriate curriculum, we create a joyful environment where infants, toddlers, and preschoolers can discover, imagine, and develop essential skills at their own pace.

Whether it’s tummy time and sensory exploration for our youngest learners, creative play and social development for toddlers, or kindergarten-readiness experiences for preschoolers, every day at Little Makers Academy is filled with meaningful moments and big discoveries.

At Little Makers Academy, we don’t just care for children—we help little makers build big futures.

How to Enroll My Child

Colorful wooden alphabet letters on a wooden tray, playdoh containers in various colors, and a drawing with colored pencils on a table in a children's learning environment.
A young girl with black hair in a ponytail, wearing a pinkish-orange long sleeve shirt, is sitting at a desk writing in a notebook with a ruler, surrounded by school supplies, toys, and stickers.
A woman and four children engaged in arts and crafts at a table, with paper and colored cutouts, in a classroom or playroom setting.
A young girl lying on a bed with a white sheet featuring pastel-colored circles, sticking her tongue out playfully, wearing a white T-shirt with pink lettering, and looking up at the camera.

After your tour, complete the enrollment application and submit the required enrollment fee. This secures your child’s spot in our program and allows us to begin preparing for their start date.

https://calendly.com/littlemakersacademy/in-person-tour-and-registration-packet

Step 1: Schedule In-Person or Virtual Tour

Begin by scheduling an in-person or virtual tour of our daycare. This gives you the opportunity to meet our staff, explore the classrooms, learn about our curriculum, and ask any questions about your child’s care and development.

https://calendly.com/littlemakersacademy/30min

Step 2: Enrollment + Application

Welcome to your child’s first day! Bring any required documents, comfort items, and labeled belongings. Our team will be ready to greet your family and help make the transition smooth, positive, and exciting for your child.

https://calendly.com/littlemakersacademy/enrollment-step-3-trial-day-1-2-day-in-classroom

Step 3: Parent Orientation

Before your child’s first day, complete the required online parent orientation. This orientation provides important information about policies, daily routines, communication procedures, health and safety guidelines, and what to expect during your child’s transition

https://calendly.com/littlemakersacademy/parent-orientation

Step 4: Your Child's First Day

❊ Little Makers Academy

Born to Explore and Create

A teacher and three children engaged in arts and crafts at a table, with colored paper, markers, and drawing materials.

Infants

Our infant classrooms provide a warm, nurturing environment where your baby’s safety and comfort come first. Teachers focus on individualized care, following each child’s feeding and sleeping schedule while supporting early developmental milestones. Through gentle interaction, sensory play, tummy time, music, and responsive caregiving, we help build secure attachments and lay the foundation for healthy growth and learning.

Smiling young boy standing outdoors on a paved surface, wearing a navy blue cardigan, white shirt with a black bow tie, blue shorts, and blue slip-on shoes, with a blurred green foliage background.

Toddlers

Our toddler classrooms are designed to encourage independence, curiosity, and exploration. At this stage, children are learning to communicate, move confidently, and engage with others. We offer hands-on activities, early language development, music and movement, art experiences, and guided social play to help toddlers build confidence and important social-emotional skills in a safe and engaging setting.

A teacher reading a book to a group of young children during storytime in a classroom.

Young Preschool

Our preschool classrooms provide a structured, play-based learning environment that prepares children for kindergarten and beyond. Through early literacy and math activities, science exploration, creative arts, and problem-solving experiences, children develop critical thinking and independence. We focus on school readiness while fostering creativity, collaboration, and a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

❊ Testimonials

Loved by Explorers, Trusted by Parents.

Seriously! But don’t take our word for it, here are some things people have to say about us.

“As a first-time parent, leaving my baby anywhere felt overwhelming—but Little Makers Academy made the transition so comforting. The infant teachers are incredibly nurturing and attentive. They follow my baby’s routine perfectly and keep me updated throughout the day with photos and notes. I can truly see how much love and care goes into everything they do. My baby is happy, thriving, and reaching new milestones every week. I couldn’t ask for a better place for my little one.”


Ivan R., Parent

“My toddler absolutely loves going to Little Makers Academy! The teachers are patient, energetic, and so encouraging during this busy stage of development. I’ve seen huge growth in my child’s language, social skills, and confidence since starting here. They come home talking about art projects, songs, and their friends every day. It’s clear the classroom is structured, engaging, and full of positive energy. We’re beyond happy with our experience.”


Kaitlin R., Parent

“My toddler absolutely loves going to Little Makers Academy! The teachers are patient, energetic, and so encouraging during this busy stage of development. I’ve seen huge growth in my child’s language, social skills, and confidence since starting here. They come home talking about art projects, songs, and their friends every day. It’s clear the classroom is structured, engaging, and full of positive energy. We’re beyond happy with our experience.”

Yesenia P., Parent

❊ FAQs

You’ve got questions,
we’ve got answers

  • We are located at 2801 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, directly south of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina — just near the intersection of S Wilmington St and Rush St.

  • We care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. Our programs are designed specifically for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, with each classroom tailored to meet the developmental needs of that age group.

  • Little Makers Academy is open Monday through Friday to support working families in downtown Raleigh. For specific opening and closing times, please contact our front office, as hours may vary slightly by program or holiday schedule.

  • We provide a structured, play-based curriculum that supports early literacy, math, science exploration, social-emotional development, and creative expression. Our approach balances hands-on learning with guided instruction to prepare children for kindergarten while keeping learning fun and engaging.

  • Your child’s safety is our top priority. We maintain secure entry access, follow strict health and sanitation procedures, conduct regular safety drills, and ensure all staff members are trained in CPR, First Aid, and early childhood education best practices.

  • Reach out to Little Makers Academy to schedule an in-person tour and discuss your child’s needs. Touring the classrooms helps you and your child get comfortable with the environment and meet teachers before enrollment. After your tour, instructions to enroll will be given to families!