Best Daycares in Lafayette, California

Top 15 daycares ranked by our composite safety grade, based on state inspection data.

1
A

FAN, SHICHAO

LAFAYETTE, CA 94549

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 14
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
2
A

BUILDING BRIDGES PRESCHOOL

1003 CAROL LANE

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 37
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
3
A

GROWING LIGHT MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LAFAYETTE

584 GLENSIDE DRIVE

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 44
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
4
A

HAPPY DAYS LEARNING CENTER

3205 STANLEY BLVD

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 84
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
5
A

LAFAYETTE NURSERY SCHOOL

979 FIRST STREET

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 25
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
6
A

MERRIEWOOD CHILDREN'S CENTER

561 MERRIEWOOD DRIVE

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 128
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
7
A

PILLAR KIDS CHILDCARE

3538 GOLDEN GATE WAY

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 18
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
8
A

WHITE PONY, THE

999 LELAND DR.

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 141
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
9
A

HUSKY HOUSE, INC.

3855 HAPPY VALLEY ROAD

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 120
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
10
A

KID'S HIDEOUT

3309 SPRINGHILL ROAD

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 120
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
11
A

GROWING LIGHT MONTESSORI SPRINGHILL

3205 STANLEY BLVD

Score: 100.0No violationsCapacity: 84
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
12
A

DIABLO VALLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL, INC. #2

3408 DEERHILL ROAD

Score: 99.31 violationCapacity: 40
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 95
13
A

VAN VELZEN, MARTA

LAFAYETTE, CA 94549

Score: 98.51 violationCapacity: 14
Health: 95Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
14
A

OLD FIREHOUSE SCHOOL

984 MORAGA ROAD

Score: 98.51 violationCapacity: 8
Health: 100Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 90
15
A

GORGONIO, MARIA

LAFAYETTE, CA 94549

Score: 97.02 violationsCapacity: 14
Health: 90Safety: 100Staffing: 100Compliance: 100
View all daycares in Lafayette →

Why these daycares rank at the top in Lafayette

This list highlights the highest-scoring daycares we currently track in Lafayette. Rankings are based on the same inspection-driven methodology used across California, so you can compare providers on safety rather than marketing language alone.

81%

A or B safety grades

22

Center-based providers

0

Accredited or Head Start providers

$4/mo

Infant center cost in CONTRA COSTA

Market Notes

The current top-scoring provider in this city is FAN, SHICHAO with a A grade and a 100.0 score.

Common provider types in Lafayette include DAY CARE CENTER, SCHOOL AGE DAY CARE CENTER, FAMILY DAY CARE HOME.

The average provider in this market has 3.0 recorded violations, while 13 providers currently show none in the data we track.

Local cost and care context

CONTRA COSTA accounts for the largest share of providers we track in Lafayette, so its pricing is the best local benchmark on this page.

Infant Center

$4/mo

Preschool Center

$4/mo

Toddler Home Daycare

$4/mo

California regulation snapshot

Inspection frequency

At least once every five years for centers with a clean compliance record. Random and unannounced visits occur throughout the licensing period. Complaint-driven inspections happen at any time.

Background checks

All staff, volunteers, and household members age 18 and older must clear a criminal background check through the California Department of Justice and the FBI. This includes fingerprint-based Live Scan checks. Subsequent arrest notifications are monitored continuously.

Parent rights

Parents have the right to visit their child's facility unannounced during operating hours. Licensing inspection reports and substantiated complaint records are public and available through the CCLD website.

How to use this page

This ranking is driven by composite grade score, with stronger performers rising above facilities with more or more severe violations.

A spot on this page does not replace touring the provider, asking about staffing, and checking fit for your child.

If two providers look close, compare their full inspection timeline and violation mix before deciding.

Read the full scoring methodology

Frequently asked questions about daycare in Lafayette

How does a daycare make the best-of list in Lafayette?

Providers on this page rise to the top because they have stronger composite safety scores than other daycares in Lafayette. The score is based on official inspection history, with severe and repeated violations weighing more heavily than isolated minor findings.

Why might a daycare in Lafayette not appear on this page?

This page only features the strongest-scoring providers we currently track. Some facilities may rank lower because of weaker inspection history, while others may not have enough data yet to surface near the top. FAN, SHICHAO currently sets the pace for this market.

Should I choose a daycare from this list without touring it first?

No. Use this page as your shortlist, not your final answer. Tour the provider, ask about staffing stability, confirm hours and availability, and compare what you see on-site against Parents have the right to visit their child's facility unannounced during operating hours. Licensing inspection reports and substantiated complaint records are public and available through the CCLD website..