Ranked among the top 3 childcare centers in Hayward across all 11 quality dimensions — placing this center in the very top tier of local options.
Best Curriculum
Earned the highest curriculum score in Hayward. This dimension evaluates structured learning, developmental programming, and how well daily activities prepare children for each stage.
Most Compassionate
Earned the highest compassion score in Hayward. This dimension captures how families describe staff empathy, how concerns are handled, and the emotional environment of the center.
Best Management
Earned the highest management score in Hayward. This dimension reflects director responsiveness, communication, operational consistency, and the overall tone families experience from leadership.
Best Culture
Earned the highest culture score in Hayward. This dimension captures a sense of community, inclusivity, staff morale, and the feeling families describe when they walk through the door.
Best Extracurriculars
Earned the highest extracurricular score in Hayward. This dimension covers enrichment programs — languages, STEM, yoga, cooking, field trips, and other activities beyond the core curriculum.
Full Ranking Detail
childcareinfanttoddlerpreschoolmontessori
Level Up Montessori – Hayward is a CCLD-licensed Montessori-inspired center in Hayward's Mission Boulevard corridor, serving infants through kindergarten with a capacity of 78 children. Opened in January 2022, the center maintains an exemplary regulatory record with zero citations on recent 2025–2026 inspections and draws strong parent engagement on Yelp (4.5 stars from 71 reviews). The Montessori-inspired curriculum emphasizes hands-on, child-centered learning designed to foster independence and early academic skills, with full working-parent hours (7:30 AM–6:00 PM, Monday–Friday) and part of a multi-location network providing program consistency. Given its newer operating history and large capacity, families should inquire about teacher-to-child ratios and staff tenure during a visit; those seeking AMI- or AMS-certified Montessori instruction should clarify the center's specific approach to Montessori methodology.
Safety5.0
Curriculum8.0
Art / Music6.0
Infant care6.0
Kindergarten readiness6.0
Teacher quality7.0
Compassion7.0
Management7.0
Culture7.0
Extracurriculars7.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Montessori-inspired methodology emphasizing a child-centered environment focused on care, learning, and growth. Hands-on, guided learning designed to build independence, language development, and social skills.
Programs & activities: Age-based programs: Infant Care (only at Hayward), Toddler, Preschool, and Kindergarten (ages 5-6). Learning focus on early reading, math, communication, and classroom readiness.
What sets it apart: Open Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-6:00 PM. Original Level Up Montessori location (opened 2021) and the only campus offering infant care. Advertises a 4.9 star Google rating, accepts subsidized families, and offers sibling discounts.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 3 in Hayward
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Best Curriculum
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Most Compassionate
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Best Management
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Best Culture
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Best Extracurriculars
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This recognition is awarded independently by Creative Minds Montessori based on publicly available parent reviews and public records. Centers do not pay for or request these rankings. Scores reflect editorial synthesis of verified parent experience — not center marketing materials. Rankings are updated periodically as new reviews are analyzed.
