Childcare
Resources for Parents, Childcare Providers, Childcare Advocates, and the Community
The City of San Carlos encourages and supports the creation of childcare facilities. A major City goal is to increase access to childcare by reducing barriers to creation, expansion of facilities, and creating community resources.
Parents and Childcare Providers
The City of San Carlos aims to provide parents with resources and information to help connect with high quality, convenient, and affordable early education and childcare programs. The City also aims to assist childcare providers and operators (both residential and commercial) interested in expanding or starting new childcare programs. This website provides links to resources that may be helpful for parents, childcare providers, childcare advocates, and the general San Carlos community.
Types of Childcare
The State of California and the City of San Carlos recognizes two types of childcare facilities, in-home (family child care) and commercial (day care centers). The State also recognizes licensed preschools, and license-exempt nursery schools that are affiliated with local District Adult Schools.
- Family Childcare is a childcare facility licensed by the State of California that is located in a single-unit residence or other dwelling unit where resident provides care, protection and supervision of children in the resident’s home for periods less than twenty-four (24) hours per day for children under the age of eighteen (18). Family childcare, regardless of size, can only be subject to State regulations and are exempt from local planning/use permits, business licenses, and other permits/fees. There are two types of family childcare:
- Small- A home that provides family childcare for up to eight (8) children
- Large- A home that provides family childcare for up to fourteen (14) children
- Day Care Centers are usually located in a commercial building where non-medical supervision is provided for infant to school age children in a group setting for period of less than 24 hours. This classification includes nursery schools, preschools, and day care facilities for children and any other day care facility licensed by the State of California.
- Parent Participation Nursery Schools & Cooperative Preschools are founded on the principle that the best education will result from an active partnership among parents, teachers, and children. Parents typically work in their child's classroom anywhere from once a month, to once a week depending on the program. These preschools often offer child development and parenting support classes and groups.
- City of San Carlos Family Resource Guide - Options for childcare and preschool. This guide is not intended to be all-inclusive, but is a place to start in meeting your family needs.
- 4Cs of San Mateo County - A Resource and Referral (R&R) agency for information on finding, planning for, paying for, and accessing affordable, quality childcare. The 4Cs also provides information on child care referrals, resource referrals, developmental screening & inclusion services, choosing quality care, paying for quality care, and family education.
- San Carlos School District Preschool Programs - Information on program philosophy and registration.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by Parents about Child Care
If you are a childcare provider and would like to see your center on this list, please contact us. This list will be updated on an ongoing basis.
| Child Care Centers | Address |
| Building Kidz | 1633 Laurel St |
| The Children's Place | 1336 Arroyo |
| Happy Campers Preschool | 510 Laurel St |
| Happy Campers at Carlmont | 1400 Alameda de las Pulgas |
| Happy Campers Infant Care | 300 El Camino Real |
| Little Learners | 785 Walnut St |
| Sequoia Parents Nursery School | 1839 Arroyo |
| Sora International Preschool | 356 El Camino Real |
| Trinity Presbyterian Preschool | 1106 Alameda de las Pulgas |
| Bright Horizons | 2851 San Carlos Ave |
| Virginia's Home Daycare | 379 Elm Street |
San Carlos School District Programs
Preschool Program
SMARTE Afterschool Clubhouse
San Carlos Belmont- After School The Place to Be
Resources for Childcare Operators and Providers
Resources for In-Home Family Childcare (Residential)
- California Child Care Licensing- Provides oversight and enforcement for licensed Childcare Centers and Family Childcare Homes through 19 Regional Offices located throughout California.
- A Guideline for Family Child Care Providers Considering Opening a Child Care Center- by Building Childcare, A California Statewide Collaborative.
- 4Cs of San Mateo County:
- Information on Family Child Care licensing requirements, applications, and orientation from the 4Cs.
- 4Cs referral database that is comprised of licensed family childcare, center-based care, and license-exempt centers, and is a trusted source for many families seeking child care referrals in San Mateo County.
- How to Establish a Child Care Facility in the City of San Carlos -Guide to Zoning and Permitting for commercial child care centers (created by Build Up SMC).
- Day Care Centers Section 18.23.090 - City of San Carlos Standards for Specific Uses and Activities.
- California Child Care Licensing - Provides oversight and enforcement for licensed Childcare Centers and Family Childcare Homes through 19 Regional Offices located throughout California.
- Child Care Advocate Program - Promotes the delivery of quality childcare in California.
- 4Cs of San Mateo County- Connection with training, workshops, and resources on how to start, maintain, and raise quality of childcare businesses
- San Mateo County Office of Education- Professional development opportunities or Early Educators and Providers
- Build Up San Mateo County- An initiative to grow and improve the supply of Early Care and Education Facilities in San Mateo County
- Build Up California- Early learning facilities in California
- San Mateo County Office of Education- Early Learning Facilities Needs Assessment
- Building Child Care in California- A centralized clearinghouse of information and services to increase the California childcare sector's understanding of the facilities development and financing process and access to facility development resources.
- Child Care Development Impact Fee Nexus Study- Prepared by Economic & Planning Systems Inc. (EPS) for the City of San Carlos dated September 9, 2022
- Build Up for San Mateo County’s Children:
- Child Care Land Use Study- Build Up for San Mateo County (Build Up SMC) and the San Mateo County Child Care Partnership Council surveyed local planning departments to compile an inventory of local land use policies and planning procedures related to child care in San Mateo as a resources that aids childcare providers and interested potential operators in comprehension of the various sectors regulating the development of early care and education spaces.
- Expanding Child Care and Preschool Facilities- A brief on why cities should take action to increase the availability of childcare.
- Building Child Care Facilities- A brief on inclusive spaces for children with disabilities and other special needs.
- Addressing the Cost of Child Care Facilities- A brief for child care advocates.
- Other Advocate resources
- San Mateo County Child Care and Preschool Facilities Task Force- Final report and recommendations from May 2017.
- San Mateo County Child Care and Preschool Needs Assessment- This report for the San Mateo County Child Care Partnership Council describes the status of child care and preschool supply and demand in San Mateo County, and is intended to inform County child care policies and priorities with the most up to date data.
- Child Care Law Center- This group educates, advocates, and litigates to make childcare a civil right. As the nation's only law center focused on childcare, they directly help parents and providers needing legal assistance.