Updated Nov 6, 2026 · Data from state licensing records · Methodology
Merced, CA has 43 licensed child care centers and school-age programs with 2,078 licensed seats in Kinfield's index. 14 accept infants. 17 (40%) have no citations on record, and the typical program has 1.
What inspectors cite most in Merced
Largest programs with no citations on record
| Program | ZIP | Seats | Ages | Last inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mccaa-Merced Child Development Center | 95341 | 84 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2026-06-23 |
| John O'bannion Child Development Center | 95341 | 80 | Preschool | 2026-06-24 |
| Galen Clark Preschool | 95341 | 68 | Preschool | 2026-07-02 |
| Weaver Preschool | 95341 | 48 | Preschool | 2025-11-18 |
| Merced College Child Development Center | 95348 | 30 | Infant, Toddler | 2026-09-24 |
| Merced Montessori School | 95340 | 30 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2025-02-21 |
| Dina's Daycare and Preschool | 95341 | 28 | Preschool | 2026-08-25 |
| Galen Clark Head Start | 95341 | 28 | Preschool | 2026-01-20 |
| Tenaya HS/Ehs | 95341 | 28 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2026-01-21 |
| Farmdale Preschool | 95341 | 24 | Preschool | 2026-07-30 |
| Luther Burbank School | 95340 | 24 | Preschool | 2026-10-26 |
| Merced Montessori School | 95340 | 22 | Infant, Toddler, Preschool | 2025-02-21 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buhach Preschool Yosemite Crossing | 95340 | 121 | 13 |
| Buhach Preschool - Merced | 95348 | 135 | 8 |
| Buhach Preschool | 95348 | 98 | 5 |
| Buhach Preschool | 95348 | 118 | 5 |
| Ada Givens Preschool | 95340 | 22 | 4 |
| John C. Fremont School | 95340 | 22 | 4 |
| St. Pauls' Evangelical Lutheran Church of Merced | 95340 | 55 | 4 |
| Buhach Preschool - Merced | 95348 | 11 | 4 |
| Bear Country Preschool & Day Care | 95341 | 75 | 3 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Preschool | 95340 | 87 | 3 |
Large programs are inspected more and can carry more citations. Open each record for dates and corrections.
Neighborhoods by ZIP code
How to check a Merced 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.
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 Merced, CA?
Kinfield lists 43 licensed child care centers and school-age programs in Merced, CA, with 2,078 licensed seats. Home-based providers are counted separately.
How many Merced daycares take infants?
14 licensed programs in Merced, CA are licensed to care for infants.
What is the most common daycare citation in Merced?
"Buildings and Grounds (22 CCR §101238(a))", cited at 9 programs in Merced.