Ages 0–2

Best Infant Daycares in Lake Forest

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

38 infant-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Orange County

2022 median

$1,705

/ month

infant

$1,220

/ month

toddler

$1,099

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $795/month).

Lake Forest has 38 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 Lake Forest

Anita Bhorapkar

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Antonia Ojeda

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Azalea Coronado

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Christina Ranieri

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Denisse Alvarez

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Homeira Noori

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Karla Duenez

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Kyung Suk Park

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Lake Forest Montessori School

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Lake Forest

Capacity: 18 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Lidia & Edna Guerrero

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Lilia Mejia Rojas & Maria Mejia Rojas

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Mahnaz Javadiaghdam

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Maria Hernandez

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Maria Triana & Julie Ura

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Marilyn Sullivan

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Maryam Mastali

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Mengdi Mondino

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Mina Mastali

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Montessori Children's School House

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Lake Forest

Capacity: 8 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Myriam Reyes

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Lake Forest

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Browse all infant-capable facilities View all facilities in Lake Forest

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed infant daycares are in Lake Forest?

Lake Forest has 38 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 Lake Forest?

Typical monthly tuition for infant care in Orange County is about $1,634 at a center and $1,276 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.