Ages 0–2

Best Infant Daycares in San Mateo

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

88 infant-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in San Mateo County

2022 median

$2,401

/ month

infant

$1,720

/ month

toddler

$1,893

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $964/month).

San Mateo has 88 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 San Mateo

Aileeh Carmen Vilchez

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Amelia L. Lopez

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Andrea Torres Oliveros & Laura Ramos Arias

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Angella Loi

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Aurora Sanchez

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Bright Horizons at San Mateo

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 28 Est. infant tuition: $1,800 – $2,450/mo

Daisy N. Lopez Guzman

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Delia Ceja

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Delma Chavez-cruz & Marcela Medina

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Diane & Louis Di Bene

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 12 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Dina Chtchemelinine

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Edith Pacheco

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Eleandra Goncalves De Souza

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 12 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Elite Preschool Infant

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 20 Est. infant tuition: $1,800 – $2,450/mo

Evelin Veronica Alvarado

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Fenge Ye

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Galina Galant

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Geraldine Palmiery

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Gloria Jameson

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Glorious Academy

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 10 Est. infant tuition: $1,800 – $2,450/mo

Browse all infant-capable facilities View all facilities in San Mateo

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed infant daycares are in San Mateo?

San Mateo has 88 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 San Mateo?

Typical monthly tuition for infant care in San Mateo County is about $2,142 at a center and $1,520 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.