Ages 0–2

Best Infant Daycares in Atwater

Top 20 licensed programs serving babies and toddlers (ages 0–2), ranked by compliance record, parent reviews, and capacity.

21 infant-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Merced County

2022 median

$1,059

/ month

infant

$863

/ month

toddler

$715

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $563/month).

Atwater has 21 licensed childcare providers that serve infants and toddlers, combining dedicated Infant Centers with Family Child Care Homes whose CCLD licenses cover infant age groups. California enforces strict staffing ratios for infant care — typically one caregiver per four infants — and this listing ranks the top 20 options by compliance record, parent reviews, and licensed capacity.

100% of the ranked programs have a clean inspection record with no Type A (serious) or Type B (minor) citations on file. Each facility page includes the full inspection history, complaint records, and capacity details so you can make an informed decision before touring.

Whether you need care for a 6-month-old or a 20-month-old, the programs below cover the full 0–2 age band. Click any listing to see hours, tuition (when the owner has published it), and the most recent CCLD inspection summary.

Top 20 Infant Daycares in Atwater

Ana Ramos Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Castle Head Start/early Head Start

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Atwater

Capacity: 8 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Cccds - Atwater Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Atwater

Capacity: 21 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Daasy Luquin Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Elia Chavez Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 12 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Ericka Gonzalez Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Fruitland Christian Preschool

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Atwater

Capacity: 20 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Herminia Kirk Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Kelli Schilling Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Kimberly Cunningham Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Linda's Day Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Magali Guevara-espinoza Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Maria & Miguel Salazar Fcc

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Mary Lourenco Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Oliva Ochoa Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Pauline Gomez Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Samantha Curtice Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Savannah Mercado Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Sugehiry Molina Delgado Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Williams Family Day Care Home

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Atwater

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,050/mo

Browse all infant-capable facilities View all facilities in Atwater

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed infant daycares are in Atwater?

Atwater has 21 licensed childcare providers that serve infants and toddlers (ages 0–2). This includes dedicated Infant Centers and Family Child Care Homes whose licenses cover infant care.

What's the difference between an Infant Center and a Family Child Care Home for infant care?

Infant Centers are commercial facilities dedicated to babies and toddlers with lower child-to-staff ratios (typically 1:4 for infants) and infant-trained caregivers. Family Child Care Homes run from the caregiver's private residence with smaller mixed-age groups — often more flexible hours and a home-like feel.

How much does infant care cost in Atwater?

Typical monthly tuition for infant care in Merced County is about $960 at a center and $918 at a family child care home (based on 2022 benchmark data). Actual rates vary by facility, schedule, and whether meals are included.

What should I look for when visiting an infant daycare?

Check the caregiver-to-infant ratio (state requires 1:4 or better for infants), look at the nap and feeding setup, ask about diaper changes and feeding schedules, review the facility's inspection history on its detail page, and trust your gut on how caregivers interact with the babies present during your tour.