We Pulled Every CDSS Inspection Record in Marin County: Here's What We Found
OpenPHR analyzed public California Department of Social Services (CDSS) licensing and inspection records for all 268 child care facilities in Marin County (150 commercial centers and 118 family child care homes across San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, Corte Madera, Larkspur, San Anselmo, Tiburon, Sausalito).
Where Licensed Child Care Slots Are Located in Marin County
| Municipality | Licensed Centers | Authorized Center Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| San Rafael | 42 | 2,187 slots |
| Novato | 31 | 1,778 slots |
| Mill Valley | 19 | 942 slots |
| Corte Madera | 12 | 721 slots |
| Tiburon | 7 | 418 slots |
| Sausalito | 7 | 308 slots |
| Fairfax | 7 | 257 slots |
| San Anselmo | 6 | 269 slots |
We audited every licensed child care center and 118 family child care homes in Marin County under CDSS Regional Office #18: while Marin centers maintain some of the Bay Area's highest physical-plant safety scores, high Marin living costs create acute teacher commute strain between Novato, San Rafael, and Southern Marin.
Methodology: How We Audited 268 Marin County Records
This investigation synthesizes official public filings from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) and the California Health and Human Services (CHHS) Open Data Portal covering the trailing 36-month inspection window (October 2023 – October 2026).
Marin County Top Audited Daycare Centers (2026 Ranking Table)
Direct links to verified Tier 1 facility inspection records in Marin County, sorted by OpenPHR Staff Stability Score.
| Rank | Facility & Inspection Record | City | Capacity | 36-Mo Citations | Stability Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | C.a.m.(cfs)-Old Gallinas Children's Center (ps) San Rafael — inspection recordCDSS License #210108890 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | San Rafael | 140 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #2 | Bright Horizons At Marin Commons-Preschool San Rafael — inspection recordCDSS License #214005131 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | San Rafael | 102 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #3 | Creative Gardens Sausalito — inspection recordCDSS License #214005536 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Sausalito | 75 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #4 | C.a.m.(cfs)-Old Gallinas Children's Center (sa) San Rafael — inspection recordCDSS License #210108889 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | San Rafael | 69 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #5 | Fairfax San Anselmo Children's Center-School Age — inspection recordCDSS License #210110017 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Fairfax | 65 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #6 | Marin Day Schools-Edna Maguire Campus Mill Valley — inspection recordCDSS License #213005255 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Mill Valley | 65 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #7 | C.a.m. (cfs) Hamilton (ps) Novato — inspection recordCDSS License #213001939 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Novato | 60 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #8 | Marin Day School - Mill Valley Preschool — inspection recordCDSS License #213005253 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Mill Valley | 60 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #9 | Marin Day Schools - Hillside Campus - Preschool Mill Valley — inspection recordCDSS License #213005248 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Mill Valley | 60 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #10 | North Bay Children's Center-Tinker Way Campus-S/a Novato — inspection recordCDSS License #213005592 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Novato | 56 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #11 | Marin Day Schools - Tam Valley Campus Mill Valley — inspection recordCDSS License #213005259 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Mill Valley | 56 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #12 | Old Firehouse School San Rafael — inspection recordCDSS License #214005680 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | San Rafael | 54 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #13 | C.a.m. (cfs) De Colores (ps) San Rafael — inspection recordCDSS License #214005550 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | San Rafael | 48 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #14 | C.a.m (cfs) Hamilton (sa) Novato — inspection recordCDSS License #210111538 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Novato | 48 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #15 | Marin Day Schools - Old Mills Campus Mill Valley — inspection recordCDSS License #213005257 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Mill Valley | 47 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #16 | St. Raphael - Preschool San Rafael — inspection recordCDSS License #213005559 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | San Rafael | 45 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #17 | North Bay Children's School Novato — inspection recordCDSS License #214005479 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Novato | 45 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #18 | C.a.m. (cfs) -Canal Child Care Center (ps) San Rafael — inspection recordCDSS License #214005192 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | San Rafael | 44 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #19 | North Bay Children's Center-Hamilton Novato — inspection recordCDSS License #214005525 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Novato | 44 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #20 | C.a.m. (cfs) San Pedro (ps) San Rafael — inspection recordCDSS License #213006108 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | San Rafael | 40 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #21 | Bright Horizons At Marin Commons - Infant San Rafael — inspection recordCDSS License #214005130 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | San Rafael | 40 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #22 | C.a.m. (cfs) Marin Head Start Lynwood (ps) Novato — inspection recordCDSS License #213006109 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Novato | 40 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #23 | Old Firehouse School Mill Valley-Preschool — inspection recordCDSS License #213005570 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Mill Valley | 40 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #24 | C.a.m. (cfs) Hamilton (inf) Novato — inspection recordCDSS License #213002658 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Novato | 36 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
| #25 | Marin Day Schools - Park School Campus Eds Mill Valley — inspection recordCDSS License #213005258 • Tier 1 Verified Photos | Mill Valley | 36 | 0 citations | 88 / 100 |
What This Means for Parents in Marin County
1. A 5-star online review does not equal a clean CDSS inspection docket: Several of the highest-priced centers in Marin County ($2,300 to $3,100/month) carry Type A citations for exceeded teacher-to-child ratios during morning drop-off or late afternoon pick-up windows. Always check the facility's 9-digit CDSS license history before placing a non-refundable waitlist deposit.
2. Distinguish between Type A hazards and Type B paperwork notices: A Type A citation means a state evaluator observed an immediate risk to child health, safety, or personal rights (such as an unmonitored nap room or an understaffed classroom). A Type B citation is typically an administrative or maintenance gap (such as an overdue quarterly fire drill log or playground wood fiber needing topping off).
3. Ask to see the last 36 months of Form LIC 809 on your tour: Under California Title 22 § 101217, every licensed daycare in Marin County is legally required to keep its past 3 years of facility evaluation reports available at the front desk for parents to review.
Frequently Asked Questions (Marin County CDSS Records)
How many licensed daycare facilities operate in Marin County?
According to California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and CHHS licensing records (updated October 20, 2026), Marin County has 268 licensed facilities: 150 commercial child care centers (7,745 licensed slots) and 118 licensed family child care homes.
Which CDSS regional office inspects Marin County daycares?
All licensed child care centers and family child care homes in Marin County are inspected by the California CDSS Community Care Licensing Division Rohnert Park Regional Office (#18), which conducts unannounced Title 22 compliance evaluations and complaint investigations.
How can parents check a Marin County daycare's inspection record?
Parents can review plain-English translations of every Marin County center's 36-month inspection docket, Type A and Type B citations, and Staff Stability Score on OpenPHR's Marin County Safety Hub, or verify the 9-digit license number directly on the state CCLD portal.
Get citation alerts when a San Rafael 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.