How to Choose the Right Daycare in California 2025

California’s licensing rules, high demand, and diverse program types can make daycare decisions feel overwhelming. Use these seven in-depth checkpoints to evaluate centers and licensed family child care homes anywhere from Los Angeles to the Central Valley.

1. Confirm Licensing & Compliance

Start by searching the provider on the Community Care Licensing (CCL) transparency portal. Each listing displays license status, capacity, inspection history, and any Type A (serious) or Type B (non-immediate) citations.[1]

• Look for a current license posted near the entrance along with the most recent inspection report.
• Review corrective action plans carefully—multiple repeat citations for supervision, ratio violations, or safe sleep issues are red flags.
• For license-exempt care (like certain on-site employer childcare), verify they still meet background check and health/safety certification requirements.

2. Evaluate Health & Safety Practices

California’s Title 22 regulations set the baseline, but quality programs go further:

• Safe sleep: Infants must be placed on their backs, in individual cribs, with no blankets or pillows. Ask how teachers monitor naps and whether they follow the Safe Sleep Checklist.
• Emergency readiness: Providers should maintain earthquake kits, hold monthly fire and disaster drills, and have clear reunification plans after an emergency.
• Hygiene routines: Confirm diapering procedures, handwashing schedules, sanitation logs, and illness exclusion policies—especially in cold/flu season.
• Food service: If meals are provided, request a copy of the menu and confirm compliance with CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) nutrition standards.

3. Check Ratios, Group Size & Staffing

California’s required center ratios are 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, 1:12 for preschoolers, and 1:14 for TK-age children. Licensed family child care homes can care for 6–14 children depending on the assistant coverage and age mix.[2]

Questions to ask:

• What is the maximum group size and how many teachers are assigned to each room?
• Do you maintain lower ratios than the state minimums?
• How long have lead teachers been here? What is your annual staff turnover?
• What ongoing training do teachers receive (CPR renewals, PITC, trauma-informed care)?

Stable teams and lower ratios usually translate into calmer classrooms and stronger attachments for children.

4. Observe Curriculum & Daily Rhythm

High-quality programs balance play-based exploration with intentional learning:

• Review the posted daily schedule—look for outdoor play, music, sensory activities, small-group learning, and rest time.
• Ask about curriculum philosophy (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Creative Curriculum, dual-language immersion) and how teachers adapt it for individual needs.
• For preschoolers, confirm alignment with California’s Preschool Learning Foundations to support kindergarten readiness.
• Request recent lesson plans or documentation panels showing how teachers build on children’s interests.

5. Prioritize Communication & Family Partnership

Transparent communication is essential in a state where waitlists are long and tuition is significant:

• Do teachers share daily reports through an app or paper logs?
• How are concerns handled—can parents schedule meetings quickly with the director or lead teacher?
• Are families invited to volunteer, join cultural celebrations, or participate in parent advisory boards?
• Does the program support bilingual families with translated materials or staff fluent in your home language?

6. Consider Logistics & Budget Fit

• Hours & calendar: Extended hours, weekend care, or summer programming can justify higher tuition for parents with nontraditional schedules.
• Policies: Review the contract for closure days, late pickup fees, tuition increase schedule, and deposit/refund rules.
• Financial supports: Ask whether the provider accepts CalWORKs/AP vouchers, offers sibling discounts, or partners with employers for preferred rates.
• Commuting: Factor in traffic and parking—especially in dense areas of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San José.

7. Trust Culture & Gut Feeling

During tours, observe how teachers speak to children, whether classrooms feel calm, and how children respond to guidance.

• A warm, inclusive culture will show up in children’s artwork, diverse books, family photos on display, and accommodations for children with additional support needs.
• Pay attention to transitions: are teachers prepared with songs or calming routines, or are children left waiting?
• Bring your child for a short visit if possible; their comfort level can reveal whether the environment is the right fit.

Final Thought

Finding a high-quality daycare in California takes persistence, but mapping these checkpoints—and applying early for subsidies or TK—can narrow the search quickly. Pair objective data (licensing history, ratios, curriculum) with your instincts to select a program where your child will thrive.

Sources

[1] California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, “Child Care Facility Search,” accessed January 2025.
[2] California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Child Care Center & Family Child Care Home Requirements.