Foster City, CA · San Mateo County · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Foster City, California

Built in the 1960s on engineered landfill in the San Francisco Bay marshes, Foster City is one of the nation's few master-planned waterfront communities, featuring navigable lagoons and canals inspired by Venice—with the distinctive touch that all watercraft are motorless, limited to electric, sail, or human power. The city is home to Gilead Sciences, a major biopharmaceutical company headquartered here since 1988, which continues to expand its research and manufacturing facilities in Foster City. With its 13 miles of shoreline, 12 residential islands, and 24 parks throughout the community, Foster City was designed from its inception as an innovative refuge where residents could enjoy waterfront living after working in the surrounding Bay Area tech and biotech industries. Every CCLD-licensed center in Foster City ranked across 11 dimensions. 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.

5Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
34,494City population
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Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
PJCC Preschool (Peninsula Jewish Community Center)
800 Foster City Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedNonprofit
6.8/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
7
Infant care
7
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
8
Mgmt
6
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • CCLD license #414000829; licensed for 211 children — one of the largest centers in Foster City
  • Licensed since 1999 — over 25 years serving families
  • 27 Yelp reviews for the preschool; PJCC overall 207 Yelp reviews
  • 94% Facebook recommendation rate across 576+ reviews — exceptionally strong community trust
  • Award-winning preschool program for infants through pre-K (6 months–4 years)
  • Curriculum grounded in inquiry, friendship, and ethical values
  • Parents describe teachers as 'exceptionally patient, caring, and creative'

Considerations

  • 1 Type B citation (2023–2025 inspection period) — review CCLD report before enrolling
  • Complaint investigation filed March 2024 — verify resolution status
  • Jewish community center affiliation — curriculum may not suit all families
2
Bright Horizons at Gilead
303 Velocity Way, Foster City, CA 94404
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedNAEYC Accredited
6.6/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Founded 2013; capacity of 90 children — large, well-resourced center
  • Bright Horizons national brand — 100% NAEYC accreditation commitment
  • 15 Yelp reviews available
  • A+ BBB rating
  • Discovery Driven Learning approach — adventure and curiosity focused
  • Employer-sponsored center at Gilead Sciences campus

Considerations

  • Employer-sponsored center — enrollment may be restricted to Gilead employees or affiliates
  • No confirmed CCLD license number in available sources — verify at ccld.dss.ca.gov
  • Premium pricing typical of Bright Horizons employer-site centers
3
Lakeview Montessori
1950 Beach Park Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedMontessori
6.1/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
5
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • CCLD license #414001945; licensed since August 2006
  • Full Montessori curriculum with Montessori-trained staff
  • Small capacity (42 children) — intentionally low child-to-teacher ratio
  • Serves ages 0–7 years across infant, toddler, preschool, and early elementary groups
  • 19 Yelp reviews

Considerations

  • Multiple Type B citations (2023, 2024, Oct 2025) and complaint investigation December 2025 — review CCLD reports before enrolling
  • Hours 8:00 am–5:30 pm — shorter than many competitors
  • No subsidized child care enrollment
4
Sea Breeze School
900 Edgewater Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD Licensed
5.5/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
6
Infant care
4
K-ready
6
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • CCLD license #410503400; large center licensed for 126 children
  • 22 Yelp reviews; parents describe principal and teachers as 'all incredible'
  • Five large, well-designed classrooms with secured courtyard and large playground
  • Grassy running area — outdoor play prioritized
  • Licensed by California CCLD Community Care Licensing Bureau

Considerations

  • 1 Type A citation and 2 Type B citations across inspections (2023–2025) — review CCLD reports before enrolling
  • No confirmed preschool age range or infant care details in available sources
5
Foster City KinderCare
1006 Metro Center Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD Licensed
5.2/ 10
Safety
4
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
5
K-ready
6
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
4
Culture
5
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • CCLD license #410517738; licensed for 72 children
  • Licensed since August 1990 — over 35 years of operation
  • 64 Yelp reviews; parents praise daily dedication, patience and warmth of staff
  • Serves ages 6 weeks–12 years — full age range
  • Extended hours 6:30 am–6:00 pm Monday–Friday
  • Keypad entry and fenced playground for security
  • Winnie 5.0-star rating reported

Considerations

  • 1 Type A citation and 1 Type B citation found in 2023 inspection — review reports before enrolling
  • National chain model — less personalized than independent centers
No centers match this filter.

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