Types of Daycare in the Bay Area
Day care center, preschool, family day care or agency? Here's how the four kinds of Bay Area child care compare, using real hours and ratings from every provider we list.
Day care centers in the Bay Area
Day care centers are licensed facilities, usually in a dedicated building, with separate classrooms by age. Most run full days on weekdays, follow state staffing ratios and have a director plus a teaching team, so care continues even when one teacher is out.
- 2,314in the Bay Area
- 4.8★avg. rating
- 7:30 AM–5:30 PMtypical weekday hours
- 35%open by 7 AM
- 6%offer weekend care
A good fit for
- Parents working standard full-time hours
- Families who want a structured day and age-based classrooms
- Kids who love being around lots of friends
Questions to ask
- What are your ratios for infants, toddlers and preschoolers?
- How long have the lead teachers been here?
- Is there an infant room, and how long is the waitlist?
Top-rated day care centers in the Bay Area
#1Aasaan Day Care and Learning Center★★★★★ 5.0 (80)Day care center · Fremont · Sundale
#2Genius Kids Dougherty Dublin - Preschool Full-time & Afterschool K-5/ Summer Camp/ Winter Camp★★★★★ 5.0 (70)Day care center · Dublin
#4Genius Kids Preschool and Day Care Center San Ramon★★★★★ 5.0 (61)Day care center · San Ramon
#5Little Panda Family Daycare★★★★★ 5.0 (58)Day care center · Sunnyvale · Lakewood
#6The Goddard School of Brentwood★★★★★ 5.0 (52)Day care center · Brentwood · Business ParkBay Area cities with the most day care centers
Preschools in the Bay Area
Preschools focus on learning through play for children roughly 2 to 5 years old, often with a named approach such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf or play-based. Some run half days or follow the school year, while many Bay Area preschools also offer full-day extended care.
- 2,040in the Bay Area
- 4.7★avg. rating
- 8 AM–5:30 PMtypical weekday hours
- 21%open by 7 AM
- 3%offer weekend care
A good fit for
- Children 2 and up getting ready for TK and kindergarten
- Families who care about a teaching philosophy
- Parents looking for bilingual or language-immersion programs
Questions to ask
- Is the program half day, full day or school year only?
- Does my child need to be potty trained?
- How do you prepare children for TK and kindergarten?
Top-rated preschools in the Bay Area
#1Art & Soul School of Creative & Performing ARTS★★★★★ 5.0 (461)Preschool · Santa Rosa
#2Primrose School of Livermore★★★★★ 5.0 (96)Preschool · Livermore
#3Little Learners Academy★★★★★ 5.0 (96)Preschool · Fremont · Northgate
#4Tutu School Alameda★★★★★ 5.0 (82)Preschool · Alameda
#5Butterflies Academy★★★★★ 5.0 (80)Preschool · Saratoga · Golden TriangleBay Area cities with the most preschools
Family day care homes in the Bay Area
Family day care, called a family child care home in California, is licensed care run in the provider's own home. Small homes care for up to 8 children and large homes up to 14 with an assistant, often across mixed ages, which suits infants, toddlers and siblings who do well in a calm, homey setting.
- 663in the Bay Area
- 4.9★avg. rating
- 8 AM–5:30 PMtypical weekday hours
- 23%open by 7 AM
- 9%offer weekend care
A good fit for
- Infants and toddlers who do well in small groups
- Siblings who want to stay together
- Parents who need flexible or extended hours
Questions to ask
- Is this a small or a large family child care home?
- Who else lives in or visits the home during care hours?
- What is the backup plan if the provider is sick?
Top-rated family day care homes in the Bay Area
#1Little Butterfly Daycare 小蝴蝶幼儿园★★★★★ 5.0 (44)Family day care · San Jose · Cherrywood
#2Golden Bambi Daycare★★★★★ 5.0 (44)Family day care · Sunnyvale · Lakewood
#3Little Goose Daycare★★★★★ 5.0 (43)Family day care · Dublin
#4Little Learners Daycare★★★★★ 5.0 (42)Family day care · Fremont · Warm Springs
#5Curious Explorers Daycare★★★★★ 5.0 (38)Family day care · San Ramon
#6Gurukool★★★★★ 5.0 (33)Family day care · San Jose · South San JoseBay Area cities with the most family day care homes
Child care agencies in the Bay Area
Child care agencies include organizations that run several programs, nonprofit providers and resource and referral agencies that help families find care and apply for subsidized child care. Every Bay Area county has a resource and referral agency that can share free lists of providers with openings.
- 639in the Bay Area
- 4.7★avg. rating
- 8 AM–5:30 PMtypical weekday hours
- 27%open by 7 AM
- 9%offer weekend care
A good fit for
- Families looking for subsidized or low-cost care
- Parents who want help comparing many options
- Families needing special needs or in-home care referrals
Questions to ask
- Do I qualify for subsidized care or a voucher?
- Can you share providers with openings near me?
- Which programs support children with special needs?
Top-rated child care agencies in the Bay Area
#1Jovie of the East Bay★★★★★ 4.9 (260)Child care agency · Walnut Creek
#2I Grow Learning Academy★★★★★ 5.0 (56)Child care agency · Campbell · Pruneyard / Dry Creek
#3Jovie of San Francisco★★★★★ 4.9 (187)Child care agency · San Francisco · Union Square
#4Jovie of San Jose★★★★★ 4.9 (144)Child care agency · Los Gatos
#5Vennila Kids Academy★★★★★ 4.9 (111)Child care agency · Santa Clara