Alameda County Daycare Stability Ranking & Directory 2026
OpenPHR tracks all 753 licensed commercial child care centers and 679 family childcare homes in Alameda County across Oakland, Fremont, Berkeley, Hayward, Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, and San Leandro. Below are our verified top-tier audited flagships alongside the complete, searchable county directory.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) licenses 753 commercial child care centers and 679 residential family child care homes across Alameda County (totaling 1,432 facilities). OpenPHR indexes 100% of the 753 commercial centers (44,582 slots) with public Title 22 compliance and citation histories. Currently, 222 facilities meet our Tier 1 standard with 3+ verified on-site photos taken on visit, and 531 centers have complete licensing and citation records with on-site campus photography pending (Tier 2).
OpenPHR indexes all 753 licensed childcare centers in Alameda County with complete CDSS license numbers, capacity, operator identities, and Title 22 citations. Tier 1 facilities (with at least 3 verified on-site photos) are showcased in our flagship stability table below. All 531 Tier 2 listings carry complete public licensing data with an honest “Photos coming soon — taken by our team on visit, never stock” banner, fully browsable in the data table below and via directory search.
Tier 1 Full Audit Centers
Centers with verified on-site photo visits, 3-year CDSS dockets, and complete operational transparency.
100% public California CDSS Title 22 inspection records — zero paywalls, zero sponsored rankings.
Alameda County Child Care Audit Data Table
Searchable regulatory dataset of audited centers. Full inspection reports, Title 22 citations, and wage benchmarks.
| Facility Name & City | Staff Stability Score | Authorized Capacity | CDSS Citations (3-Year) | Estimated Hourly Wage | Inspection Docket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stratford School - Fremont CurtisFremont, CA • CDSS #013420891 | 83.7/100 | 140 kids | 1 Type B | $28.50/hr | See Audit → |
| Challenger School - ArdenwoodFremont, CA • CDSS #013419552 | 90.7/100 | 180 kids | 0 citations | $27.50/hr | See Audit → |
| Learn And Play Montessori School - PeraltaFremont, CA • CDSS #013422119 | 62.7/100 | 125 kids | 1 Type B | $22.50/hr | See Audit → |
| Fremont Christian School Early EducationFremont, CA • CDSS #013418704 | 85/100 | 110 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Mission Valley MontessoriFremont, CA • CDSS #013421588 | 58/100 | 75 kids | 1 Type A | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Bright Horizons at Warm SpringsFremont, CA • CDSS #013423401 | 85.6/100 | 160 kids | 0 citations | $25.00/hr | See Audit → |
| Kidango - Decoto CenterFremont, CA • CDSS #013425510 | 94.2/100 | 96 kids | 0 citations | $29.25/hr | See Audit → |
| Stratford School - NewarkNewark, CA • CDSS #013426780 | 91.7/100 | 110 kids | 0 citations | $28.00/hr | See Audit → |
| Union City ECE AcademyUnion City, CA • CDSS #013427990 | 76/100 | 84 kids | 1 Type B | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Little Blossoms Family Child CareFremont, CA • CDSS #015701890 | 62/100 | 14 kids | 1 Type A | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Quarry Lane School, TheDublin, CA • CDSS #015700573 | 88/100 | 300 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Stratford School-DublinDublin, CA • CDSS #015700568 | 88/100 | 272 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Husd Child Dev. Program - Helen TurnerHayward, CA • CDSS #010206034 | 88/100 | 264 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| St. Vincent's Day HomeOakland, CA • CDSS #010206027 | 88/100 | 261 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Learn And Play Montessori CentervilleFremont, CA • CDSS #015700669 | 88/100 | 260 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
Get citation alerts when a Alameda County daycare receives a new CDSS citation
California State Social Services (CDSS) conducts unannounced annual and complaint inspections. We continuously scan the state licensing docket and email you immediately if a new Type A hazard or staffing ratio citation is posted.
Frequently Asked Questions for Alameda County Parents
Answers to key questions regarding child care licensing, inspection records, and tuition in Alameda County.
How much does licensed daycare cost in Alameda County in 2026?
In Alameda County, full-time licensed infant care ranges from $2,100 to $2,950 per month ($22,000–$32,000 annually), while toddler and preschool care averages $1,600 to $2,300 per month. Tuition in Alameda County is driven primarily by mandatory California Title 22 infant staffing ratios (1:4) and regional commercial facility leases. Additional common expenses include enrollment fees ($100–$300), annual supply fees ($200–$500), and optional extended-day programs ($150–$350/mo).
What is the safest daycare in Alameda County?
The safest daycares in Alameda County are licensed facilities that maintain zero substantiated Type A health and safety citations across consecutive California Department of Social Services (CDSS) inspection cycles and maintain a high staff stability index (85+). High teacher retention directly prevents supervision lapses and builds healthy early neurological attachment. Top-performing centers in Alameda County include accredited programs with multi-year clean inspection dockets and transparent educator pay disclosures under CA SB 1162.
How do I check a daycare's official CDSS inspection record in California?
Every licensed child care facility in California is inspected and regulated under Title 22 by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Division. OpenPHR consolidates every facility's complete citation docket, unannounced visit reports, and Plans of Correction (POC) with zero paywalls. Parents can also verify license status directly on the CDSS CCLD transparency portal (ccld.dss.ca.gov).
What should I ask on a daycare tour in Alameda County?
On a daycare tour, parents should ask: (1) 'What has your lead teacher turnover been over the past 12 months?', (2) 'What are your exact classroom child-to-teacher ratios during transition times and outdoor play?', and (3) 'Have you received any Type A citations from CDSS in your last two inspections?' Additionally, inspect classroom cleanliness, observe whether teachers engage at eye level, verify perimeter door locks, and ask about substitute teacher policies.
Daycare vs. nanny share in Alameda County: what is the true cost comparison?
In Alameda County, a two-family nanny share costs approximately $2,800 to $3,400 per month per family when accounting for legally mandated employer payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA, SUI, workers' compensation) and overtime. Licensed center-based infant care averages $2,100 to $2,950 per month all-inclusive, making center care approximately 20% to 35% less expensive. While nanny shares offer 1:2 attention in a home setting, centers provide reliable non-stop coverage without nanny sick-day disruptions, audited Title 22 safety standards, and peer socialization.
What is the difference between a Type A and Type B citation in California?
Under Title 22, Type A violations are immediate health, safety, or personal rights hazards (e.g., lack of supervision, finger-pinch hazards, accessible toxins, or unvetted adults) requiring mandatory correction within 24 hours. Type B violations represent technical or administrative non-compliances (such as outdated emergency cards, licensing posting issues, or minor equipment wear). Continued failure to correct a Type A citation results in mandatory state civil penalties of $100 to $500 per day.
What does the OpenPHR Daycare Stability Index measure?
The Staff Stability Index (0–100) measures teacher retention, regulatory compliance history, and statutory wage disclosures under CA SB 1162. Facilities scoring 85+ demonstrate high staff longevity and lower educator turnover, which child development studies link to stronger attachment and emotional security. The score is calculated objectively from verified public records with zero sponsored influence.
Are state and county child care subsidies accepted in Alameda County?
Yes. Many licensed centers and family child care homes accept California Alternative Payment Program (CAPP) vouchers, county Child Care Resource & Referral subsidies (such as 4Cs), and CalWORKs child care assistance based on State Median Income (SMI) guidelines. Filter by 'Accepts Subsidies' in the OpenPHR directory to find participating providers.
Our Independence Guarantee
OpenPHR is a public benefit initiative operated by Patient Journey Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. No daycare or preschool pays to be listed, and no ranking position can be bought or sponsored. Rankings are calculated objectively from California Department of Social Services (CDSS) compliance dockets and verified teacher retention metrics.