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Licensed Daycare in Gardena, California

Q: What's the average daycare cost in Gardena?

Statewide averages in California run roughly $1800/month for infants and $1240/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

Q: Are subsidies available for daycare in Gardena?

California families can apply for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide .

Choosing childcare is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. We index every state-licensed provider so you can compare options side by side.

Licensed Centers

Infant Spots

$1,800/mo

California avg infant

1:4

State infant ratio

Childcare costs in Gardena

ChildCare Aware reports the California average full-time cost at $1,800/month for infant care and $1,240/month for preschool. City-level prices in Gardena vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.

The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. California families may also qualify for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195).

Full California licensing & cost overview

Quick facts

State regulator: California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division
Infant ratio: 1:4
Toddler ratio: 1:6
Preschool ratio: 1:12
Avg capacity: 70 kids

ZIP codes covered

90248 6 90249 5 90247 5 1

Program types in Gardena

Licensed Group Child Care Home

2 centers

Licensed Child Care Center

2 centers

Infant & Toddler Center

2 centers

Head Start Center

2 centers

All Gardena licensed centers

Page 1 of 1

K Head Start

Kids R Us Anaheim #631

Gardena

2 years - 12 years Cap 56

S Head Start

San Diego Bright Futures Daycare #140

Gardena

2 years - 12 years Cap 36

Tap any card to view the full listing including the state license number, capacity, and inspection history when available.

Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Gardena, California?

Our directory lists 15 licensed childcare centers in Gardena, California, sourced from California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.

What's the average daycare cost in Gardena?

Statewide averages in California run roughly $1800/month for infants and $1240/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

What staff-to-child ratios apply in Gardena daycares?

All licensed California centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, and 1:12 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Gardena typically operate below these ceilings.

Are subsidies available for daycare in Gardena?

California families can apply for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.

How do I verify a Gardena daycare's license?

Look up the provider directly in the official California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.