Licensed Daycare in San Jose, California
140 licensed daycares in San Jose, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official California licensing records.
San Jose listings updated May 2026 from official California records.
Daycare in San Jose: what parents should know
Families in San Jose can choose from 140 licensed childcare providers. 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, 18 centers in San Jose report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 18 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 17 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in San Jose spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 13% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
In total, San Jose providers are approved for approximately 9,979 child slots — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
San Jose childcare by the numbers
The San Jose childcare landscape
San Jose sits at the heart of Silicon Valley, where childcare is both expensive and unusually likely to come with an employer benefit. California's free Transitional Kindergarten is expanding here, and Santa Clara County's FIRST 5 network is a strong local entry point for younger children.
Universal PreK and Transitional Kindergarten
California's Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) is expanding free Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to all 4-year-olds through districts including San Jose Unified and East Side Union, with eligibility widening each year. The California State Preschool Program (CSPP) also offers free preschool to income-eligible 3- and 4-year-olds.
Subsidies, FIRST 5, and employer benefits
For infants and toddlers, California subsidizes care through CalWORKs and Alternative Payment programs, and FIRST 5 Santa Clara County and the local 4Cs agency help families find providers and support. In Silicon Valley, many large employers also offer backup or subsidized childcare — check what your company provides.
Licensing and quality
Providers are licensed and inspected by California Community Care Licensing (CDSS). Look for participation in Quality Matters (Santa Clara County's quality system) alongside any NAEYC accreditation.
Neighborhoods and cost
San Jose is among the priciest markets in the country — full-time infant care commonly runs $2,000–$2,800/month. Willow Glen, Almaden, and Cambrian are family-dense and competitive; demand is high citywide, and waitlists at the most sought-after centers are long.
When to start looking
TK enrollment runs through your district on the regular calendar. For infant care, tour and join waitlists during pregnancy where possible, and check employer childcare benefits early.
Childcare costs in San Jose
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 San Jose 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 overviewQuick 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
- 71 kids
Largest licensed centers in San Jose
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All San Jose licensed centers
Page 4 of 10Tap any card to view the full listing including the state license number, capacity, and inspection history when available.
Parent-asked basics on licensing, ratios, and waitlist timing for this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in San Jose, California?
What's the average daycare cost in San Jose?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in San Jose daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in San Jose?
How do I verify a San Jose daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in San Jose
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programCalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(916) 651-6195 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.
Official license searchChildcare resources for San Jose
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for San Jose, 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 140 Licensed Centers in San Jose
Free, no signup, verified directly with California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.