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

Finding the right childcare
in Redwood City, California

Redwood City proudly claims the motto "Climate Best by Government Test," a slogan born from a 1925 Chamber of Commerce contest and based on a pre-World War I climatological survey by US and German governments that ranked the city's weather among the world's finest. During the 19th century, Redwood City served as a bustling lumber port on San Francisco Bay, with its deep-water channel making it ideal for shipping California's redwoods worldwide. Today, the city anchors Silicon Valley's southern reach, home to major tech companies like Electronic Arts and Oracle. CCLD-licensed child care centers in Redwood City, CA — a diverse, centrally located Peninsula city with strong multilingual community and rich early-education landscape, 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.

7Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
84,248City population
Sort by
🔍
Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Harper School
3150 Granger Way, Redwood City, CA 94061
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedPreschool–K-8 · Est. 2021 · 1:5 Teacher Ratio · Ages 2+
7.1/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
5
K-ready
8
Teachers
8
Compassion
8
Mgmt
7
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • CCLD license #414004824 active since August 2021 — four inspections through November 2025 with only one Type B citation; strong compliance for a relatively new center
  • 15 Yelp reviews — parents describe experience as 'amazing,' praising love and care teachers provide; teacher-student ratio of 1:5 highlighted as a standout feature
  • Toddler through 8th grade continuity on a beautiful tree-filled campus — children and families can build relationships across many school years
  • Experienced administrators described as having 'a ton of experience and clearly loving the kids' per Nextdoor parent reviews
  • Capacity 110 — larger campus enables broader extracurricular programming while maintaining small class sizes through excellent staffing ratios
  • Named after Harper Lee with school values centered on empathy and standing up for what is right — mission-driven culture parents describe as genuinely felt

Considerations

  • Only 15 Yelp reviews — limited review volume for center its size
  • Licensed only since August 2021 — shorter institutional history than long-established competitors
  • Higher tuition range expected for full private preschool-through-K-8 program — pricing should be verified directly with school
2
Peninsula Covenant Preschool (PCC Preschool)
3560 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94061
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedChristian Play-Based · Est. 1965 · Ages 2.5–5
6.9/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
7
Infant care
4
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
9
Mgmt
7
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • CCLD license #410500506 active since October 1972 — over 50 years of continuous licensing; most recent inspection December 2025; only 2 Type B citations across full inspection history
  • 27 Yelp reviews — parents describe 'absolutely the best preschool in the area'; teachers praised for loving deeply, knowing each child individually, and fostering breakthrough growth in shy children
  • Established 1965 — one of Redwood City's longest-running preschool programs; over 55 years of community trust and family alumni
  • Beautiful campus with bright/spacious classrooms including a dedicated art room and multiple playgrounds — rich physical environment for learning
  • Capacity 55 — medium-sized program offering good peer diversity while maintaining community closeness; faith-based values integrated without pressure
  • Preschool and pre-kindergarten mixed-age classes — developmentally responsive groupings supporting kindergarten readiness

Considerations

  • Christian faith-based program — families not aligned with Christian values may find philosophical fit limited
  • Ages 2.5–5 only — no infant, toddler, or school-age programming
  • 10-month program (September–June) — no summer care option at this location
3
Roots N Wings Montessori School
2323 Euclid Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedMontessori · Spanish/Japanese · STEM · Ages 2–6
6.9/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
7
Infant care
4
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
8
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • CCLD license #414004531 active since February 2019 — multiple inspections through July 2025; Montessori program with 1:6 teacher-student ratio
  • 43 Yelp reviews (February 2026) — highest Yelp review count among Redwood City centers researched; parents describe children thriving from age 2 onward; calm, organized environment consistently praised
  • Spanish and Japanese language classes, STEM activities, arts, baking, and yoga — unusually rich enrichment curriculum for a preschool program
  • 1:6 teacher-to-student ratio — above-average adult supervision and individualized Montessori guidance
  • Capacity 40 — balanced size that maintains community intimacy while offering adequate peer diversity
  • Bilingual programming in multiple languages serves Redwood City's highly diverse multilingual immigrant families

Considerations

  • 2 Type B citations across inspections 2023–2025 — minor regulatory findings; families should review CCLD reports for context
  • Ages 2–6 only — no infant program
  • Website link defaults to Safari Kid — independent website verification recommended before contacting
4
Beresford Montessori School (Redwood City)
178 Clinton St, Redwood City, CA 94062
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedMontessori · NAEYC Accredited · Est. 2003 · Ages 2.5–K
6.7/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
4
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
8
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • CCLD license #414002466 — licensed Redwood City campus opened 2003; NAEYC accredited and American Montessori Society affiliated; complies with California licensing
  • 14 Yelp reviews (April 2026) — parents report 5-star experiences over multiple years; school praised for careful instruction in a loving and nurturing environment; strong parent community with frequent peer playdates
  • Part of Beresford Montessori family with San Mateo original campus (est. 1992) — institutional depth and multi-campus teacher development resources
  • Montessori preschool through kindergarten transition — supports children from age 2.5 through elementary school entry
  • Financial aid, sibling discounts, and subsidy/voucher acceptance — broader economic accessibility than many private Montessori programs
  • Multilingual enrichment instruction available in Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese — reflects Bay Area's diverse linguistic landscape

Considerations

  • Only 14 Yelp reviews — smaller review sample than comparable centers
  • Ages 2.5–kindergarten only — no infant program; children must be potty trained
  • Full day hours 8:30am–3:30pm — limited aftercare hours may be insufficient for full-time working families without supplemental care
5
Open Gate Nursery School
2124 Brewster Ave, Redwood City, CA 94062
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedParent Co-op · Play-Based · Est. 1978 · Ages 2–5
6.3/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
4
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
8
Mgmt
6
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • CCLD license #410503124 active since September 1978 — nearly five decades of continuous licensing; most recent inspection May 2025
  • Parent co-op model — parents work alongside teachers on scheduled days, gaining direct insight into their child's learning and building a strong family community
  • Yelp reviews — parents describe it as a great experience for the whole family; nut-free environment accommodates allergy concerns; teachers have decades of experience
  • Play-based child-centered curriculum — children learn through hands-on exploration in a developmentally appropriate environment
  • On-site nursery care for younger siblings during parent work days — reduces childcare burden for families with multiple children
  • Capacity 25 — very small and intimate; every child deeply known by all teachers

Considerations

  • 6 Type B citations across inspections 2023–2025 — highest citation count among Redwood City centers researched; families should review CCLD detail reports
  • Co-op participation required — families with demanding work schedules may find mandatory parent workdays difficult to fulfill
  • Ages 2–5 only; no infant, toddler, or school-age program — limited age coverage
6
Redwood City Child Development Program
2600 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedNon-Profit · Bilingual · Subsidized · Est. 1985 · Ages 1–5
6.3/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • CCLD license #414005232 active — most recent inspections August, November 2025 and March 2026; nonprofit established 1985 licensed to care for up to 81 children ages 1–5
  • Subsidized/income-based enrollment — primary resource for low-income and working families in Redwood City seeking affordable quality childcare
  • Bilingual learning environment (English/Spanish) — developmentally appropriate and linguistically affirming for Redwood City's large Latino population
  • Housed in Fair Oaks Community Center — established community hub location provides additional family support resources
  • Charity Navigator 3/4 star rating with 81% charity score — financially accountable nonprofit with transparent operations
  • Capacity 81 — serves a significant portion of the community; ages 1–5 including toddler and infant care

Considerations

  • 2 Type B citations across recent inspections — minor findings; families should review CCLD reports
  • Primarily serves income-qualified families — enrollment eligibility requirements may exclude some interested families
7
Redwood Shores Child Care & Bilingual Montessori Preschool
433 Cork Harbour Cir, Redwood City, CA 94065
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedMontessoriChinese Bilingual
6.3/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
5
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Established 2007 — California-licensed large child care center
  • Montessori curriculum with Chinese bilingual immersion — rare combination in the area
  • 47 Yelp reviews — substantial parent review base
  • Located in Redwood Shores neighborhood — convenient for tech-corridor families

Considerations

  • No detailed CCLD citation data confirmed in available sources — verify at ccld.dss.ca.gov
  • Hours 8:30 am–5:30 pm may not cover early drop-off or late pick-up needs
8
Safari Kid Redwood City
1709 Woodside Rd, Redwood City, CA 94061
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedMontessori/Reggio/Waldorf-Inspired · Ages Infant–8th Grade
6.1/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
6
K-ready
7
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • CCLD license #414004927 — active licensed child care center in Redwood City; complies with all CDSS CCLD requirements including mandatory background checks and CPR certification
  • Yelp listing with reviews — parents report meticulously clean and well-run facility, professional director, modern and minimalist decor, and well-designed classrooms
  • Proprietary curriculum blending Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf approaches — whole-child philosophy balancing learning and play
  • Full age range from infancy through 8th grade after-school — consistent programming across developmental stages; drive-thru pickup/drop-off with ID verification
  • Weekly photos shared with parents — strong communication and transparency about daily activities and learning
  • Director Denise Miller-Maciag brings extensive cross-age experience; center described as safe, nurturing, and enriching

Considerations

  • Winnie shows 3.0 star overall rating (April 2025) — mixed feedback warrants investigation before enrolling
  • Some parents in infant program reported communication concerns with Spanish-speaking staff — language barrier noted in reviews
  • Yelp listing updated June 2025 with no public review count visible — limited quantitative review data
9
Footsteps Child Care — Redwood Creek Campus
715 Bradford St, Redwood City, CA 94063
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD Licensed
5.9/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
5
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Established nonprofit serving Redwood City since 1985
  • Positive Yelp reviews highlight site director Jennifer and caring teachers
  • Offers full-day and half-day programs for ages 3–5
  • Also operates before/after school and summer camp programs
  • Hours 7:45 am–5:30 pm Monday through Friday

Considerations

  • No confirmed CCLD license number or citation record in available sources — verify at ccld.dss.ca.gov
  • No subsidized child care enrollment confirmed
10
Redwood City Child Development Program (RCCDP)
2600 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedNonprofit
5.6/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
5
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • Private nonprofit established 1985 — over 40 years serving working families
  • Housed in Fair Oaks Community Center — community-integrated setting
  • Licensed by California DSS for children ages 1 to 5
  • Charity Navigator 3-Star rating (81% score) — financially accountable nonprofit
  • Yelp listing active as of April 2026

Considerations

  • No confirmed CCLD license number or citation data in available sources — verify at ccld.dss.ca.gov
11
Shores KinderCare
1050 Twin Dolphin Dr, Redwood City, CA 94065
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD Licensed
5.4/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
5
K-ready
6
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
5
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • CCLD license #414001492; large center serving up to 270 families
  • National KinderCare curriculum — standardized, research-backed
  • 35 Yelp reviews available
  • Overlooks SF Bay Trail — scenic, nature-adjacent setting
  • Extended hours 7:00 am–6:30 pm suit working families
  • Serves 6 weeks through 12 years — full age range

Considerations

  • Winnie shows 3.0-star rating — below average for the area
  • National chain model — less personalized than independent centers
  • No public citation data confirmed — verify current CCLD status directly
No centers match this filter.

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