Redding, CA · Shasta County · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Redding, California

Redding is known as the Kayak Capital of the World and boasts over 200 miles of trails within a 15-mile radius, earning it the nickname Trails Capital of California. The city's iconic Sundial Bridge, a world-renowned cable-stayed design by Santiago Calatrava completed in 2004, spans the Sacramento River and doubles as a massive sundial with its 217-foot pylon. With sunshine on average 88% of the time, Redding is the sunniest city in California and one of the nation's premier destinations for outdoor recreation and fishing. Find top-rated, CCLD-licensed child care centers in Redding, CA. We scored each California-licensed childcare center across 11 real dimensions — safety, curriculum, arts & music, infant care, kindergarten readiness and more. Scores drawn from major public review platforms and parent communities — not center marketing.

9Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
94,000City population
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Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Early Foundations Children's Academy
1755 Airpark Drive, Redding, CA 96001
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedPlay-Based Learning
6.3/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
6
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • 4.5-star Yelp rating (15 reviews) — one of Redding's highest-rated licensed centers on any platform
  • 100% recommendation rate across 26 Facebook reviews — strong cross-platform parent consensus
  • Founded 2012 at 1755 Airpark Dr; serves infants through school-age children (6:30 am–6:00 pm Mon–Fri)
  • Play-based curriculum with activity centers integrating phonics, math, science, and arts
  • CCLD licensed (License #455406268) and operating continuously since 2012
  • Full-day and part-time scheduling options to accommodate diverse working family needs

Considerations

  • CCLD inspection record notes 1 Type A and 3 Type B citations as of November 2023 — prospective families should review details via CCLD portal
  • Limited curriculum transparency on public website — no published developmental framework documentation
  • No childcarecenter.us parent reviews on file; review base concentrated on Yelp and Facebook
2
Kinderland Child Development Center
1630 Victor Avenue, Redding, CA 96003
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedNAEYC Accredited
6.2/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
6
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • NAEYC-accredited — one of the few Redding centers to hold national accreditation for quality early childhood education
  • 3.5-star Yelp rating from 18 reviews (updated May 2026) — active public review presence
  • Operating since April 2004 with seven age-segmented classrooms covering infant through pre-kindergarten
  • Comprehensive curriculum progression: infant motor development through Kindergarten readiness programming
  • Includes music, art, PE, and hands-on learning; Care.com 5.0 from 3 reviews
  • CCLD licensed (License #455406201); Mon–Fri 6:30 am–6:30 pm

Considerations

  • 3.5 Yelp rating reflects mixed reviews — some parents cite cleanliness and facility maintenance concerns
  • Yelp review breakdown shows 5 one-star reviews out of 18 — inconsistent experience reported by some families
  • One CCLD location (school-age license) shows capacity of only 28 — enrollment may be limited by age group
3
Munchkin University Infant Center and Preschool
2620 Railroad Avenue, Redding, CA 96001
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedNonprofit Since 1987
6.2/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
6
Teachers
6
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • 100% recommendation rate from 17 Facebook reviews — strong community reputation
  • Nonprofit organization in continuous operation since 1987 — nearly 40 years serving Redding families
  • Art, music, science, reading, and math integrated into curriculum for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
  • CCLD licensed (License #451374213); most recent inspection September 2025 shows "No Citations"
  • Flexible hours and willingness to accommodate part-time care schedules
  • Current owner Dina Hutt has operated the center since 1992 — strong institutional stability

Considerations

  • Small licensed capacity of 12 children — enrollment very limited; likely waitlist for infants
  • Closes at 5:30 pm — earlier than most competitors; may constrain working family schedules
  • No childcarecenter.us or Yelp reviews on file; review base limited to Facebook
4
Montessori Children's House of Shady Oaks
1410 Victor Avenue, Redding, CA 96003
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedMontessori Since 1983
6.2/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
3
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Founded 1983 and at current Victor Ave location since 1986 — Redding's longest-running Montessori program
  • 12 Yelp reviews (updated September 2025) with enthusiastic parent testimonials praising Montessori learning approach
  • GreatSchools 5.0 from 3 reviews; Niche 5.0 from 1 review — consistently top-rated across multiple platforms
  • Calm, structured Montessori environment; parents note children "THRIVED" academically and socially
  • CCLD licensed (License #455401009); capacity 48; serves ages 2.5–5
  • Mon–Fri 7:30 am–3:00 pm; convenient Victor Avenue location in 96003

Considerations

  • Hours (7:30 am–3:00 pm) significantly shorter than most licensed centers — not suited for full-time working parents without additional care
  • One childcarecenter.us review raises staff-turnover concerns and notes difficulty accommodating children with non-traditional learning styles
  • No infant or toddler program; preschool/pre-K only (ages 2.5–5)
5
Redding Cooperative Preschool
658 Mary Street, Redding, CA 96001
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedParent Co-op Since 1956
5.7/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
6
Infant care
3
K-ready
5
Teachers
6
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Non-profit parent cooperative operating continuously since 1956 — 65+ years of community trust
  • 7 Yelp reviews calling it "amazing" — parents feel children are always in great hands due to parent-run model
  • Parent-to-child ratio of at least 1:4 at all times (plus the certified director) — among the best supervision ratios in Redding
  • CCLD licensed (License #455401222); capacity 24; serves ages 2.9–5
  • Curriculum covers literature, science, PE, arts, crafts, and music through interactive play-based experiences
  • Non-sectarian and nonprofit — no profit motive; all resources directed toward program quality

Considerations

  • Requires parent participation (working an assigned day weekly) — not suitable for all family schedules
  • Type B citation issued January 2024 — review CCLD portal for details
  • Very small capacity of 24 children; limited availability
  • Serves ages 2.9–5 only; no infant, toddler, or after-school care
6
Kids & Me Preschool
3695 Churn Creek Road, Redding, CA 96002
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedSince 1992
5.6/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
4
K-ready
6
Teachers
6
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • 4.5-star Yahoo Local rating from 8 reviews — consistently praised for caring staff and nurturing environment
  • Founded 1992; 30+ years serving Redding families; capacity 72 children
  • Parents describe happy, smiling children at pickup — positive emotional environment noted across reviews
  • Play-based learning model meeting social, emotional, and educational needs of preschool-age children
  • CCLD licensed (License #455408599); Mon–Fri 7:00 am–5:30 pm
  • Central 96002 location convenient for east Redding families

Considerations

  • CCLD complaint investigation filed September 2025 — details not yet publicly available; verify with licensing office
  • No infant program advertised — primarily serves preschool-age children
  • Closes at 5:30 pm — may not accommodate all full-time working parents
7
Boulder Creek Preschool
505 Springer Drive, Redding, CA 96003
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedSchool District Program
5.6/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
3
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
5
Culture
5
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • Enterprise Elementary School District program — backed by district resources and teacher credentialing standards
  • Parent reviews praise teachers and aides as "awesome" with genuine care for children and strong parent involvement
  • CCLD licensed (License #455403246); capacity 24; focus on Kindergarten readiness programming
  • Integrated location on the Boulder Creek Elementary campus supports seamless K-8 transition
  • Small class size (24 capacity) enables individualized attention
  • No citations on most recent 2024 CCLD evaluation available online

Considerations

  • Type B citations issued in January 2025 and October 2023 — review CCLD portal for details
  • Preschool-only program; no infant or full-day toddler care available
  • Limited capacity of 24 children — enrollment likely restricted to district attendance area
8
Shasta Head Start — Mary Street Center
590 Mary Street, Building #50, Redding, CA 96001
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedHead Start Program
5.6/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
5
K-ready
6
Teachers
6
Compassion
7
Mgmt
5
Culture
5
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • Federally funded Head Start program — meets federal performance standards for child development and family engagement
  • CCLD licensed (License #455405904); most recent 2023–2025 inspections show "No Citations"
  • Serves children ages 3–5 with comprehensive services including health screenings, nutrition, and family support
  • Shasta Head Start nonprofit serves Shasta, Siskiyou, and Trinity counties — established institutional infrastructure
  • Respects family culture and recognizes children as unique individuals — individualized developmental approach
  • Priority enrollment for low-income families — important community access resource

Considerations

  • Small location capacity of 16 children — enrollment very limited; likely waitlist
  • Income-eligibility requirements may limit availability to qualifying families
  • No infant program; serves ages 3–5 only
9
Heather Ridge Child Care Center
820 Saint Marks Street, Redding, CA 96003
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedSince 1988
5.4/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
5
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
5
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • Established 1988 — over 35 years of continuous operation in Redding; one of the city's longest-running centers
  • Holds three separate CCLD licenses: infant, preschool, and school-age (License #451372495); combined capacity of 72
  • Zoo Phonics professionally designed curriculum used in preschool classrooms
  • Serves children 6 weeks through 12 years including children with special needs
  • Two childcarecenter.us reviews describe "amazing" program with clean, safe environments and welcoming staff
  • Mon–Fri 6:30 am–6:00 pm; located in central Redding 96003 near major residential corridors

Considerations

  • 3.0-star Yelp rating from 6 reviews — includes 2 one-star reviews raising concerns
  • CCLD complaint investigation history since 2021 with Type B citations on recent reports — review CCLD portal before enrolling
  • Low review volume (6 Yelp reviews total) limits confidence in current experience quality
No centers match this filter.

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