Vacaville, CA · Solano County · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Vacaville, California

Vacaville transformed from a 19th-century fruit-farming town into a biotech manufacturing hub, hosting major facilities for Lonza, Novartis, and ALZA Corporation that serve the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The city's evolution reflects its strategic location between Sacramento and San Francisco along Interstate 80, though residents also cherish the quirky Nut Tree—a 1920s-era roadside attraction with shops, dining, and a vintage carousel that remains a distinctive piece of California highway culture. Find top-rated, CCLD-licensed child care centers in Vacaville, 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.

8Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
103,000City population
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Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Kiddie Academy of Vacaville
880 Alamo Dr, Vacaville, CA 95688
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedLife Essentials Curriculum
6.7/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
8
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • 30 Yelp reviews — parents describe staff as 'absolutely amazing' and highly attentive to individual children
  • Family enrolled from 12 weeks through Pre-K graduation reports staff as loving, passionate, and dedicated
  • Inclusive program praised for supporting a child with spectrum needs — 'no child is left behind'
  • Ages infant through school age — full coverage for Vacaville working families
  • Hours Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–6:00 PM — Phone (707) 446-4222
  • CCLD license 483007934 confirmed — 880 Alamo Dr, Vacaville CA 95688

Considerations

  • No confirmed Google Maps rating
  • No public reviews on childcarecenter.us
  • National Kiddie Academy franchise — local quality depends on individual director
  • One reviewer noted a single teacher with inconsistent positive/negative daily mood
  • No weekend care available
2
Vacaville Christian Early Education Preschool
1117 Davis St, Vacaville, CA 95687
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedChristian Faith-BasedACSI & WASC Accredited
6.7/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • 4.7 Yelp stars with 40 reviews — one of the highest-rated licensed preschools in Vacaville
  • 92% recommend on Facebook (47 reviews) — strong multi-platform parent endorsement
  • ACSI, WASC, and NAIS accredited — meets multiple rigorous independent quality standards
  • Serves 6 weeks through 5 years — true infant through pre-K coverage
  • Licensed for 170 children — large capacity reduces waitlist risk
  • CCLD license 480104414 confirmed — Phone (707) 446-1776

Considerations

  • No confirmed Google Maps rating
  • No public reviews on childcarecenter.us
  • Christian faith-based curriculum — not suitable for all families
  • Large capacity (170 children) may feel less intimate than smaller centers
  • No weekend care available
3
Shepherd of the Hills Early Childhood Center
580 Trinity Dr, Vacaville, CA 95687
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedLutheran Faith-BasedNAEYC Accredited
6.5/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
3
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
8
Mgmt
7
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Parent review highlights teachers as more kind and patient than any other preschool they've experienced
  • Children gain confidence and independence described as essential for kindergarten readiness
  • NAEYC accredited — nationally recognized quality benchmark
  • Licensed for 65 children — CCLD license 480106922 confirmed
  • Hours Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5:30 PM (core 8:30–11:30 AM programs with extended Cherubs Program through 2:00 PM)
  • Phone (707) 447-6278 — child-centered curriculum accommodating auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners

Considerations

  • No confirmed Google Maps rating
  • No public reviews on childcarecenter.us
  • Lutheran faith-based setting — not suitable for all families
  • Core class hours end at 11:30 AM without extended care — verify full-day availability
  • No infant program below preschool age
4
Little Flowers Montessori (Vacaville)
3561 Alamo Drive, Vacaville, CA 95687
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedAMI/AMS Montessori
6.3/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
7
Infant care
4
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Part of a 10-location Bay Area Montessori network with AMI/AMS-certified teachers — authentic Montessori practical life, sensorial, math, language, and cultural curriculum
  • CCLD licensed (License #485407185); serves toddlers (18 months) through 6-year-olds — includes younger toddler intake than most Montessori programs
  • Multi-site operator provides network-wide curriculum consistency, teacher training, and ongoing professional development
  • Full-day programs (8 am–6 pm) with optional extended 7 am care; hot lunch included in full-day tuition
  • Located in south Vacaville (Alamo Dr, 95687) — convenient for I-80 commuters heading to Sacramento or Bay Area

Considerations

  • Employee reviews across the chain mention scheduling disruptions when teachers are absent — children can be merged into larger groups
  • Montessori tuition typically higher than conventional childcare; full fee schedule not published online
  • Vacaville location is relatively newer within the Little Flowers network — less community review history than sister campuses
5
TFH Preschool (The Father's House Kids)
4800 Horse Creek Drive, Vacaville, CA 95688
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedChurch-Based Program
6.2/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
6
Infant care
0
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
8
Mgmt
5
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • 12 Yelp reviews (updated April 2026) — parents say 'I can't say enough good things about TFH Kids Preschool! The staff and teachers are top notch, professional, and caring'
  • The Father's House Facebook page has 96% recommendation from 1,379 reviews — extremely strong community confidence in the church ministry backing this preschool
  • CCLD licensed (License #483009177); capacity 120 children; serves ages 3–5 in a Christ-centered, play-based early childhood program
  • Play-based curriculum promoting academic, social, emotional, and physical development; strong family-partnership philosophy with family learning opportunities
  • Large 120-child capacity at a 95688 campus — may have more availability than smaller centers in Vacaville

Considerations

  • Citations on April 2024 and February 2023 inspections (codes 101229(a)(1), 101219(d)); two complaint investigations on file (December 2021, April 2022)
  • Program hours 9:00 am–12:00 pm Monday–Friday only — part-day only; not suitable for full working-day child care needs
  • Ages 3–5 only; no infant or toddler program; no before/after school care
  • Located at 95688 ZIP (north Vacaville/Horse Creek area) — may not be convenient for families in south Vacaville 95687
6
Bethany Lutheran Preschool
1011 Ulatis Drive, Vacaville, CA 95687
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedEst. 2016
6.0/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
0
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • 11 Yelp reviews (updated December 2025) — parents describe 'the teachers are truly amazing, director is the best you can get'
  • 4.2 GreatSchools rating from 18 reviews — consistent positive feedback across platforms
  • CCLD licensed (License #483009264); capacity 48 children; serves children 33 months–5 years with preschool, full-time, and part-time child care plus summer camp
  • Open 6:30 am–6:00 pm; part of Bethany Lutheran Ministries which has served Vacaville families for over 50 years
  • Teachers hold at minimum an Associate's degree — educational qualification floor above state minimum requirements

Considerations

  • Type B citations on October 2022 and November 2023 inspections (codes 101221(a), 101216.1(b)(1), 101220(a)) — recurring compliance issues parents should review
  • Ages 33 months–5 years only; no infant program
  • No published tuition rates online; families must contact the center for pricing
  • Small capacity (48) relative to Vacaville demand; waitlist likely
7
The Learning Experience – Vacaville
1959 Peabody Road, Vacaville, CA 95687
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedL.E.A.P. Curriculum
6.0/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
6
K-ready
7
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • 16 Yelp reviews (updated April 2026) — parents praise 'incredible staff' and highlight rapid child development milestones; one parent noted her daughter learned rhyming skills within 3 weeks of enrollment
  • CCLD licensed (License #485407834 preschool; #485407833 infant); combined capacity 166 children (46 infant + 120 day care); licensed since January 2021
  • Proprietary L.E.A.P. (Learning Experience Academic Program) curriculum with hands-on activities supplemented by all-inclusive enrichment: yoga, music, fitness, science, and soccer
  • Open Mon–Fri 6:30 am–6:00 pm serving ages 6 weeks to 6 years — comprehensive infant-through-preschool coverage
  • Show n Tell app provides daily photos and updates — strong parent communication tool

Considerations

  • Mixed review profile: 9 five-star and 4 one-star reviews; among the critical feedback, some reviewers on Nextdoor reported concerns about the center's practices and child safety, so parents may wish to read the full range of reviews before deciding.
  • Two CCLD licenses under separate numbers for infant and preschool programs — verify your child's enrollment falls under the correct active license
  • Corporate chain model (The Learning Experience franchise) — local management quality can vary significantly from corporate standards
  • Does not participate in subsidized child care programs; relatively newer location (2021) with limited long-term track record
8
Childtime of Vacaville
1201 Burton Dr, Vacaville, CA 95687
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedInfant Through School Age
5.9/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • 28 Yelp reviews — parents report children learning and thriving with passionate teachers
  • Consistent positive feedback for teachers Rosy and Lisa by name in Yelp reviews
  • Full age range: infant through junior kindergarten and private kindergarten programs
  • Hours Mon–Fri 6:00 AM–6:00 PM — Phone (707) 455-1700
  • CCLD license 483002938 confirmed — licensed for 96 children
  • National Childtime/Learning Care brand with structured curriculum

Considerations

  • No confirmed Google Maps rating
  • No public reviews on childcarecenter.us
  • National chain — local quality depends heavily on center director
  • Tuition noted as somewhat high by one reviewer
  • No weekend care available
9
Vacaville KinderCare
581 Peabody Rd, Vacaville, CA 95687
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD Licensed
5.7/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
6
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • Parents report staff is 'amazing' and children love attending — 5.0 Winnie rating
  • Staff praised for handling security professionally — verifying pickup identity calmly and respectfully
  • Serves ages 6 weeks through 12 years — full infant to school-age coverage
  • Children assessed on skill levels by age with detailed teacher feedback to parents
  • CCLD license 483001829 confirmed — Phone (707) 447-7685
  • Hours Mon–Fri 6:00 AM–6:00 PM — Center Director Brenda Hardaway

Considerations

  • No confirmed Google Maps rating
  • No public reviews on childcarecenter.us
  • National chain — quality depends on local director
  • Very limited review count found on Yelp — limited feedback sample
  • No weekend care available
10
Millennium Child Development Center
3442 Browns Valley Rd, #100, Vacaville, CA 95688
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedInfant Specialist
5.2/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
5
Art/Music
5
Infant care
7
K-ready
5
Teachers
5
Compassion
5
Mgmt
5
Culture
5
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • Infant center specialist — dedicated to serving Vacaville's youngest children
  • Hours Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–6:00 PM — CCLD license 483008403 confirmed
  • Licensed for 38 children — Phone (707) 452-0113
  • Fills a critical gap for infant care in the Vacaville 95688 zip code area

Considerations

  • No confirmed Google Maps rating
  • No public reviews on childcarecenter.us
  • Very limited online presence beyond directory listings
  • No confirmed curriculum details or parent-facing program information in public sources
11
Father's Kids Preschool
4800 Horse Creek Dr, Vacaville, CA 95688
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD Licensed
5.1/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
3
K-ready
5
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
5
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • Licensed for 120 children — one of the largest licensed preschool programs in Vacaville
  • CCLD license 483009177 confirmed — Phone (707) 455-7790
  • Mon–Fri operation in Vacaville ZIP 95688
  • Large capacity reduces waitlist risk for Vacaville families

Considerations

  • No confirmed Google Maps rating
  • No public reviews on childcarecenter.us
  • Limited online presence — verify current program details and curriculum directly
  • No infant program below preschool age confirmed
12
Above & Beyond Preschool
126 Peabody Rd, Vacaville, CA 95687
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD Licensed
4.7/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
5
Art/Music
5
Infant care
3
K-ready
5
Teachers
5
Compassion
5
Mgmt
4
Culture
5
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • CCLD license 485407942 confirmed — licensed for 27 children
  • Small licensed capacity — potential for intimate, low-ratio environment
  • Phone (707) 386-3171 — Mon–Fri operation
  • Independent locally operated preschool in Vacaville's 95687 zip

Considerations

  • No confirmed Google Maps rating
  • No public reviews on childcarecenter.us
  • Type B citations noted on recent CCLD inspection records — review directly before enrolling
  • Does not participate in subsidized child care programs
No centers match this filter.

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