Ages 0–2

Best Infant Daycares in Merced

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

62 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).

Merced has 62 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 Merced

Alicia Haro Lopez Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Araceli Soto Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Bright Beginnings Family Day Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Buhach Preschool - Merced

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Merced

Capacity: 11 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Carlos Lopez Contreras & Diana Alcazar Fcc

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Carmelina Venegas Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Cccds John O Banion Cdc

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Merced

Capacity: 15 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Claudia & Jesus Barragan Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Claudia Sparkman Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Cynthia Cervantes Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Cynthia Zarate Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Donna Marquez Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Erika Itzel Prado Fcc

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Fatima Islam Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Gabriela Chavez Mercado Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Gateway Educare Infant Center and Preschool

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Merced

Capacity: 26 Est. infant tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Heidy Campos-zavala Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Helena & Carl Torrez Fcc

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Ilda Buenrostro & Luis Mendez Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Isabel Marquez Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Merced

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

Browse all infant-capable facilities View all facilities in Merced

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed infant daycares are in Merced?

Merced has 62 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 Merced?

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.