Find a daycare in Bakersfield, CA

Find daycares in Bakersfield, CA

Find daycares in Bakersfield, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Find daycares in Bakersfield, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Top 10 daycares in Bakersfield, CA

Parents agree: these Bakersfield daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Discover Yourself Daycare

Discover Yourself Daycare

New on TrustedCare
Serves Bakersfield, CA
Welcome to Discover Yourself Daycare, where your child's growth and happiness are our top priorities. Located in Bakersfield, CA, our daycare offers a nurturing and safe environment for your little ones to explore, learn, and thrive. Despite being a small, single-employee operation, our dedication to personalized care ensures each child receives the attention and support they need. At Discover Yourself Daycare, we believe in fostering a love for learning through engaging and interactive experiences. Join us and watch your child discover their full potential.
Canyon Hills Preschool & After School

Canyon Hills Preschool & After School

New on TrustedCare
35+ years in business
Serves Bakersfield, CA
Founded in 1989, Canyon Hills Preschool and Daycare has been serving Bakersfield, California, and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. As a Christian-based learning center, they offer a safe and secure environment where qualified teachers help children grow and develop physically and educationally. The center accommodates up to 146 students and provides a school-aged program before and after school. They specialize in preschool, kindergarten, child care, and day care services, with transportation available to several surrounding elementary schools.
Garden Pathways

Garden Pathways

New on TrustedCare
26+ years in business
Serves Bakersfield, CA
Garden Pathways, founded in 1998, is a community-based nonprofit, located in Bakersfield, CA, and surrounding areas. The organization is committed to transforming lives through education and mentoring. Offering programs such as the Garden Pathways Downtown Education - Preschool & Infant Care, the organization focuses on early literacy and arts education. It also provides a safe, loving environment, fostering a partnership with families for educational advancement and self-sufficiency. Garden Pathways is a nurturing community of lifelong learners dedicated to building productive lives.
Toddler Tech Preschool & Daycare

Toddler Tech Preschool & Daycare

New on TrustedCare
38+ years in business
Serves Bakersfield, CA
Founded in 2010, Toddler Tech Preschool & Daycare provides quality childcare services in Bakersfield, CA, and its surrounding areas. They specialize in caring for children aged two to six and offer a growth-oriented, play-based program that nurtures the total development of a child. Their services go beyond traditional daycare, integrating physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language development, while also preparing pre-kindergarteners for school. Toddler Tech is more than a preschool; it's a place where children grow, learn, and express themselves.
B.C.S.D. Pre-K (McKinley Elementary)

B.C.S.D. Pre-K (McKinley Elementary)

New on TrustedCare
Serves Bakersfield, CA
B.C.S.D. Pre-K at McKinley Elementary, located in Bakersfield, CA, is a state Pre-K program that focuses on providing quality instruction and care. They are dedicated to preparing children for kindergarten, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills for their educational journey. With a maximum enrollment of 24, they maintain a conducive environment for personalized learning and growth.
Noah's Ark Preschool

Noah's Ark Preschool

New on TrustedCare
Serves Bakersfield, CA
Established in 2005, Noah's Ark Preschool is a well-respected learning center in Bakersfield, California, and nearby areas. The preschool is recognized for its clean, safe environment and interactive curriculum that includes story time, puzzles, coloring, painting, music, role play, and more. With a limit of 14 students, children receive personalized care and supervision from qualified teachers, encouraging them to grow and learn alongside their peers.
B.C.S.D. Pre-K (Longfellow Elementary)

B.C.S.D. Pre-K (Longfellow Elementary)

New on TrustedCare
Serves Bakersfield, CA
B.C.S.D. Pre-K at Longfellow Elementary, located in Bakersfield, California and its surrounding areas, provides a state Pre-K program. They're committed to delivering top-notch instruction and care, preparing children for their kindergarten journey. The program fosters a nurturing environment with a maximum enrollment of 24, ensuring each child receives personalized attention for optimal growth and development.
B.C.S.D. Pre-K (Evergreen Elementary)

B.C.S.D. Pre-K (Evergreen Elementary)

New on TrustedCare
Serves Bakersfield, CA
Evergreen Elementary School, also known as B.C.S.D. Pre-K, is a reputable institution located in Bakersfield, California. Serving the surrounding areas, the school offers a quality State Pre-K Program designed to prepare children for kindergarten. They are dedicated to providing top-notch instruction and care, fostering an environment that encourages growth and learning. Their program can accommodate up to 24 students, ensuring each child receives individualized attention and support.
B.C.S.D. Pre-K (John C. Fremont Elementary)

B.C.S.D. Pre-K (John C. Fremont Elementary)

New on TrustedCare
Serves Bakersfield, CA
B.C.S.D. Pre-K, housed at John C. Fremont Elementary in Bakersfield, CA, serves the local community with a state-run pre-kindergarten program. It provides high-quality instruction and nurturing care to ready children for their kindergarten journey. With a maximum enrollment of 24, the program ensures personalized attention to each child's unique learning needs.
First Experiences Preschool

First Experiences Preschool

New on TrustedCare
9+ years in business
Serves Bakersfield, CA
First Experiences Preschool, founded in 1994, is located in Bakersfield, California, and serves the surrounding areas. The preschool is dedicated to nurturing each child's unique strengths and encouraging them to achieve their full potential. They offer a Christian-based program and a carefully planned curriculum that supports and stimulates growth in all developmental areas. With a focus on socialization skills, academic readiness, and creativity, First Experiences Preschool prepares children for academic success while fostering their Christian character.

Your Daycare questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on TrustedCare.

How much does daycare cost?

Daycare costs depend on the child’s age group, the type of daycare, and where you live. Infant daycare is typically the most expensive, ranging from $650 to $1,500 per month. Infant daycare requires higher ratios of caregivers to children, which increases costs. Babies require more individualized attention, including diaper changes, feedings, and naps. As the child ages and becomes more independent, this ratio decreases along with daycare costs.

Traditional daycare centers tend to charge higher rates than home-based family daycare centers or co-ops. However, they usually have lower child-to-caregiver ratios, offer a wider range of amenities and activities, and have stricter qualifications for staff. Church-based, YMCA, or other non-profit child care centers offer lower rates, while home-based daycare is typically the cheapest option due to the low overhead costs.

In urban areas with a higher cost of living, daycare costs tend to be higher to cover the cost of higher rent and teacher salaries. Suburban and rural daycare centers have lower overhead costs, which often translates to more affordable daycare.

Is daycare tax deductible?

No, you cannot directly deduct daycare expenses on your federal tax return. However, if you qualify, there's a tax credit designed to assist with daycare costs, known as the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit enables you to claim a percentage of your eligible childcare expenses. It ranges from 20% to 35% of allowable expenses, capping at $3,000 for one qualifying child and $6,000 for two or more qualifying children (applicable to the 2023 tax year). Consult a qualified tax professional to confirm if your eligibility.

Can a daycare charge you when they are closed?

Some daycares may charge a reduced fee or no fee at all during certain closures, while others may maintain regular charges. The terms in your daycare contract or agreement should outline whether or not you are charged when they are closed. It's common for daycares to have specific policies regarding fees during closures, such as holidays or other scheduled breaks.

If you're unsure, reach out to the daycare directly to clarify their billing practices during closures.

How do I look up daycare violations?

To look up daycare violations, start by contacting your state’s licensing agency for childcare facilities. You can usually find this information through your state’s Department of Health and Human Services online database.

Another option is to reach out to community resources such as local parenting groups, forums, or social media groups. Other parents may share their experiences or provide information about daycare violations in your area. Finally, consider a visit the daycare center directly and ask for information about any past violations. Daycare centers are often required to make this information accessible to parents.

How do I choose a daycare?

When picking a daycare, trust your instincts and choose a daycare that aligns with your child's needs, your values, and provides a safe and nurturing environment for their development. Follow these additional suggestions to find the best fit for you and your child:

  • Get recommendations from other parents, friends, and pediatricians to start your search.
  • Visit in person to make sure the spaces are clean, safe, and friendly.
  • Ask about caregiver qualifications, such as CPR training, early childhood education background, and experience with children of a similar age.
  • Understand the daycare's approach to early education, discipline, feeding, and soothing methods.
  • Choose a daycare that is licensed and accredited to meet government-set health and safety standards.
  • Check if parents are encouraged to participate in the program and if there are opportunities for parental engagement.
  • Contact current and former clients for feedback on their experiences with the daycare.
  • Consider making unannounced visits to get a true sense of the daycare's daily operations
  • Look for a daycare with a suitable curriculum, flexible schedules, and activities that fit your preferences.
  • Visit the daycare with your child and see how they react to the space, teachers, and other children.
  • Secure a spot on the waiting list as early as possible, especially for sought-after infant programs.

What questions should I ask when evaluating potential daycare centers?

Gather as much information as you can to find the daycare that best fits your family’s needs. Be prepared with a list of questions when visiting daycares, including:

  • Is your daycare licensed and accredited to meet safety standards?
  • Are teachers credentialed and trained in CPR/First Aid?
  • What are the class sizes and student-teacher ratios for each age group?
  • What are the daycare's hours of operation and rates?
  • How does the daycare handle discipline?
  • Will the daycare assist with potty training?
  • How much time do children spend in free-play and outdoors?
  • Are meals and snacks provided by the daycare?
  • How are food allergies handled by the daycare?
  • What enrichment programs and activities are available?

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