Updated Nov 6, 2026 · Data from state licensing records · Methodology
Bakersfield, CA has 153 licensed child care centers and school-age programs with 9,080 licensed seats in Kinfield's index. 49 accept infants. 61 (40%) have no citations on record, and the typical program has 1.
What inspectors cite most in Bakersfield
Largest programs with no citations on record
| Program | ZIP | Seats | Ages | Last inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lil' Explorers | 93311 | 310 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2026-09-24 |
| Oaks Childrens Center, the | 93311 | 152 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2026-10-13 |
| Sterling Child Development Center | 93306 | 144 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2026-10-20 |
| Small Wonders Preschool/the Rock | 93308 | 135 | School age | 2026-06-26 |
| American Kids University | 93314 | 120 | Preschool | 2025-01-21 |
| Stockdale Christian School | 93309 | 120 | Preschool | 2026-06-02 |
| Valley Montessori Academy | 93311 | 120 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2026-07-13 |
| Valley Montessori Academy | 93311 | 81 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2026-07-01 |
| Martha J. Morgan Child Development Center | 93305 | 76 | Preschool | 2025-08-20 |
| First Experiences at F.u.m.c. | 93309 | 66 | Preschool | 2026-09-08 |
| Martin Castro Early Learning Center | 93307 | 63 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2025-11-14 |
| Building Blocks Academy | 93301 | 61 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2026-08-13 |
No citations is a good sign, not a guarantee: newer programs have had fewer visits. Check the inspection dates.
Programs with the most citations
| Program | ZIP | Seats | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lil' Explorers | 93311 | 298 | 18 |
| Discovery Depot Child Care | 93305 | 22 | 13 |
| Garden Pathways Downtown Education Center | 93301 | 72 | 12 |
| Little Country Christian School | 93312 | 93 | 11 |
| Childtime Children's Center | 93311 | 88 | 9 |
| La Petite Academy, INC. | 93309 | 118 | 9 |
| Bright Futures Preschool LLC | 93305 | 11 | 8 |
| Bright Futures Preschool LLC | 93305 | 32 | 7 |
| California Ivy League Prep Academy, PS & Ic | 93309 | 178 | 7 |
| Canyon Hills Preschool | 93306 | 146 | 6 |
Large programs are inspected more and can carry more citations. Open each record for dates and corrections.
Neighborhoods by ZIP code
| ZIP | Programs | Licensed seats |
|---|---|---|
| 93307 | 26 | 1,148 |
| 93309 | 21 | 1,219 |
| 93304 | 18 | 876 |
| 93306 | 16 | 1,061 |
| 93301 | 15 | 642 |
| 93305 | 15 | 617 |
| 93311 | 15 | 1,480 |
| 93308 | 12 | 1,019 |
| 93312 | 8 | 518 |
| 93313 | 6 | 380 |
How to check a Bakersfield daycare
Search any program on Kinfield or the official California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) site. Our California guide explains what each finding means. Citation counts reflect how often inspectors visit and what each regulator records, so compare programs within the same state, not across states. A citation is a finding at one visit, not a rating. Check each program's page for dates and whether it was corrected.
Looking for the strongest records? See the top daycares in Bakersfield.
Shortlisting programs? A Kinfield report pulls one program's full record, recent visits, what parents say and the questions to ask on your tour, reviewed by a person. $12, or 3 for $25.
Frequently asked questions
How many daycares are in Bakersfield, CA?
Kinfield lists 153 licensed child care centers and school-age programs in Bakersfield, CA, with 9,080 licensed seats. Home-based providers are counted separately.
How many Bakersfield daycares take infants?
49 licensed programs in Bakersfield, CA are licensed to care for infants.
What is the most common daycare citation in Bakersfield?
"Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision (22 CCR §101229(a)(1))", cited at 25 programs in Bakersfield.