California licenses child care through the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) of the Department of Social Services (CDSS). Every licensed center and family child care home has a public facility record, and that record is the best place to start.
1. Decide between a center and a home
Statewide, the CCLD data lists 13,263 centers (including infant and school-age centers) and 14,925 family child care homes. Homes are smaller and often more flexible; centers have more staff and separate rooms. See types of child care.
2. Check the license type matches your child's age
Infants under two are cared for in licensed infant centers or in family child care homes. 1,606 infant centers appear in our city listings. Read infant care in California.
3. Look up the facility record
Each center page here links to its record on the CDSS Care Facility Search, with the facility number, status, capacity, visit dates and citations. Learn how to read the record.
4. Budget and assistance
California does not publish an official average price, but it does run several subsidy programs. Start with what daycare costs in California and child care assistance.
5. Think about TK
Since 2025–26, every child who turns four by September 1 can attend free transitional kindergarten at a public school, which may change what care you need that year.
6. Visit
Take our tour questions and visit two or three places. Popular cities to start: San Francisco, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, San Jose.