Daycare center
The Woods Montessori Preschool (4885 Harbinson Avenue)
AgesPreschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file1 (1 Type A)
Daycare centers in La Mesa, CA
27 licensed programs · median published tuition $1,300 a month · 19 with Google ratings
A daycare center is a licensed facility that cares for children in age-grouped classrooms, usually from six weeks old until kindergarten, for a full working day. Centers are inspected by the state, must meet staff-to-child ratios for every age group and carry a licensed capacity.
Daycare center
ABC Barn Children's Place Preschool
AgesPreschool to school age
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file2
Daycare center
La Mesa United Methodist Children's Center
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on fileNone on record
Daycare center
BunnyBears Preschool La Mesa
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition from$1,950 / mo
Citations on file1 (1 Type A)
Daycare center
Taproot Montessori
AgesPreschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on fileNone on record
Daycare center
Cozy Cubs Preschool (8475 la Mesa Blvd)
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file1
Daycare center
Lingogarden Academy (7257 University Ave)
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on fileNone on record
Daycare center
Foothills Preschool
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file2 (1 Type A)
Daycare center
St Andrew's Parish Day School
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file1
Daycare center
Little Sprouts / Learning Jungle Rancho - San Diego
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file14 (7 Type A)
Daycare center
An-nur Learning Academy
AgesPreschool to school age
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file2
Daycare center
BunnyBears Infant Toddler
AgesInfant to toddler
HoursNot listed
Tuition from$1,950 / mo
Citations on fileNone on record
Daycare center
Learning Jungle La Mesa
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file6
Daycare center
Cozy Cubs Preschool (4351 Parks Ave)
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file2 (1 Type A)
Daycare center
Charley Brown Children’s Center
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file2 (1 Type A)
Daycare center
Childtime of La Mesa
AgesInfant to school age
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file1 (1 Type A)
Head Start
Alpha Kappa Head Start
AgesPreschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file1 (1 Type A)
Daycare center
Kindercare Learning Center - Via Mercado
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file14
Daycare center
Christ Lutheran Early Childhood Center
AgesPreschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file1
Daycare center
La Mesa Dale Preschool
AgesPreschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file1
Daycare center
Lmsvsd-Maryland Avenue Smart Steps
AgesPreschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file1
Daycare center
Parent Care Family Recovery Center
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on fileNone on record
Daycare center
S.M.A.S.H Afterschool
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on fileNone on record
Daycare center
Skyline Child Development Center
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file5 (2 Type A)
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Childcare in La Mesa: what to know
How many licensed child care programs are in La Mesa?
La Mesa has 48 licensed programs on the California register: 27 daycare centers, 0 licensed preschools, 20 home daycares and 1 before and after school program.
Who licenses child care in California?
California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division licenses and inspects child care centers, preschools and home daycares in California. Every profile links to the state record. Licence data on this page was synced in September 2026.
How common are inspection violations at La Mesa daycares?
Violations are common and most are paperwork or maintenance items. Across 781 daycare centers in the metro area, the median center has 1 citations on the state file, and 303 centers have none. 172 have at least one rated Type A by the state. California cites a Type A violation for an immediate risk to the health or safety of children, and a Type B violation for a record-keeping or maintenance item. The state file gives counts, dates and regulation numbers, not the inspector's notes.
What does daycare cost in La Mesa?
57 programs in the metro area publish full-time tuition on their website. The median starting price is $1,300 a month, and $1,701 a month for infants. Most programs share tuition only on a tour, so ask for the full fee schedule including registration and supply fees.
Why do home daycares show only a ZIP code?
A licensed home daycare is a private residence, and California withholds the address from its public register. The listing shows the licence, capacity and ZIP code. The provider gives the address to families directly.
When should I join a daycare waitlist in La Mesa?
Infant rooms fill first because the state allows the fewest babies per teacher. Ask each program how long its infant and toddler waitlists run and whether a deposit holds a place. Home daycares often have shorter waits than centers.
Help paying for care
Most states run a child care subsidy for working families under an income limit, funded by the federal Child Care and Development Fund.
Show programs that accept subsidy →Nearby cities
Source: Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes data downloads, CCLD Transparency site. Last synced September 2026. Ratings and review counts are from Google.