San Mateo County Daycare Stability & Directory 2026
OpenPHR indexes all 417 licensed child care centers and 297 family childcare homes on the San Francisco Peninsula across San Mateo, Redwood City, South San Francisco, Menlo Park, Burlingame, San Carlos, and Foster City. Below are the audited stability ratings, teacher retention signals, and California Title 22 compliance records.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) licenses 417 commercial child care centers and 297 residential family child care homes across San Mateo County (totaling 714 facilities). OpenPHR indexes 100% of the 417 commercial centers (26,484 slots) with public Title 22 compliance and citation histories. On-site campus photo verification visits are currently in progress across San Mateo County; all 417 centers have complete licensing and citation records fully browsable and sortable below (Tier 2).
OpenPHR indexes all 417 licensed childcare centers in San Mateo County with complete CDSS license numbers, capacity, operator identities, and Title 22 citations. Tier 1 facilities (with at least 3 verified on-site photos taken by our team) are showcased upon completion of photo audits. All 274 Tier 2 listings carry complete public licensing data with an honest “Photos coming soon — taken by our team on visit, never stock” banner, fully searchable in the directory table below.
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.
San Mateo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genentech 2nd Generation @ AllertonSouth San Francisco, CA • CDSS #414002366 | 88/100 | 430 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Highlands Christian SchoolsSan Bruno, CA • CDSS #410500303 | 88/100 | 300 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| San Mateo-Foster City Schl Dist - Turnbull CdcSan Mateo, CA • CDSS #410509079 | 88/100 | 298 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Champions-Las Lomitas Elementary (sa)Atherton, CA • CDSS #414000082 | 88/100 | 276 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| 2nd Generation Cabot (ps)South San Francisco, CA • CDSS #414004456 | 88/100 | 264 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Newton-Baywood Elementary School (smfcsd)San Mateo, CA • CDSS #414001240 | 88/100 | 250 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Merry Moppet Nursery SchoolBelmont, CA • CDSS #410500410 | 88/100 | 237 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Peninsula Jewish Community Center PreschoolFoster City, CA • CDSS #414000829 | 88/100 | 231 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Champions - Franklin ElementaryBurlingame, CA • CDSS #414004219 | 88/100 | 219 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Cssf Rec Det-Monte Verde After School Rec ProgramSan Bruno, CA • CDSS #410518963 | 88/100 | 200 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Newton At Laurel School (mpscd)Atherton, CA • CDSS #414002929 | 88/100 | 200 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Newton @ EncinalAtherton, CA • CDSS #414002930 | 88/100 | 200 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Genentech 2nd Generation @ AllertonSouth San Francisco, CA • CDSS #414002368 | 88/100 | 199 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Cssf Rec Dept - Buri Buri After School Prog. (sa)South San Francisco, CA • CDSS #414002856 | 88/100 | 180 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
| Footsteps@ciprianiBelmont, CA • CDSS #410518969 | 88/100 | 180 kids | 0 citations | Baseline | See Audit → |
Get citation alerts when a San Mateo 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 San Mateo County Parents
Answers to key questions regarding child care licensing, inspection records, and tuition in San Mateo County.
How much does licensed daycare cost in San Mateo County in 2026?
In San Mateo County, full-time licensed infant care ranges from $2,450 to $3,350 per month ($22,000–$32,000 annually), while toddler and preschool care averages $1,600 to $2,300 per month. Tuition in San Mateo 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 San Mateo County?
The safest daycares in San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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 San Mateo County: what is the true cost comparison?
In San Mateo 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 $2,450 to $3,350 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 San Mateo 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.