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Licensed Daycare in Cerritos, California

15 licensed daycares in Cerritos, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official California licensing records.

15
Licensed Centers
2
Infant Care
$1,800/mo
California avg infant
1:4
State infant ratio

Cerritos listings updated May 2026 from official California records.

Daycare in Cerritos: what parents should know

Families in Cerritos can choose from 15 licensed childcare providers, with Child Care Center the most common type (about 20% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current California license at indexing time, sourced from California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.

For age coverage, 2 centers in Cerritos report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 2 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 1 is a Head Start program, free for income-eligible families.

Licensed care in Cerritos spans 3+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 7% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.

In total, Cerritos providers are approved for approximately 968 child slots — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.

Cerritos childcare by the numbers

15
Licensed providers
968
Licensed child seats
1
Family child care homes
3+
ZIP codes covered

Childcare costs in Cerritos

ChildCare Aware reports the California average full-time cost at $1,800/month for infant care and $1,240/month for preschool. City-level prices in Cerritos vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.

The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. California families may also qualify for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195).

Full California licensing & cost overview

Quick facts

State regulator
California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division
Infant ratio
1:4
Toddler ratio
1:6
Preschool ratio
1:12
Avg capacity
64 kids

Largest licensed centers in Cerritos

By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.

Parent-asked basics on licensing, ratios, and waitlist timing for this area.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Cerritos, California?
Our directory lists 15 licensed childcare centers in Cerritos, California, sourced from California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.
What's the average daycare cost in Cerritos?
Statewide averages in California run roughly $1800/month for infants and $1240/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Cerritos daycares?
All licensed California centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, and 1:12 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Cerritos typically operate below these ceilings.
Are subsidies available for daycare in Cerritos?
California families can apply for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.
How do I verify a Cerritos daycare's license?
Look up the provider directly in the official California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.

Where to get childcare help in Cerritos

Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.

Local CCR&R agency

Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.

1-800-424-2246 · Find yours
Dial 2-1-1

United Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.

Call 211 · 211.org
Head Start (free)

Free early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.

Find a program
State subsidy

CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.

(916) 651-6195 · How to apply
Quality ratings

Check NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.

Find quality care
Verify a license

Confirm any provider's current license & inspection record with California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.

Official license search

How this data is sourced. Listings for Cerritos, California are compiled from official California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology

Search 15 Licensed Centers in Cerritos

Free, no signup, verified directly with California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.

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