Licensed Daycares in Chula Vista, CA

Daycare & Childcare in Chula Vista

As of August 2026

Chula Vista's 253 providers split 92 centers to 161 family child care homes, with homes making up about 64% of the roster. Licensed capacity totals 8,890 children, averaging 35 per provider under the California Department of Social Services' Community Care Licensing Division. School-age coverage is a particular strength here, reported by 189 providers — about 75% of the roster, among the higher rates in this batch. CloverMap covers all 74 licensed Chula Vista providers for parents comparing options.

What to know about childcare in Chula Vista

Chula Vista's roster includes 92 centers and 161 family child care homes among its 253 total providers, putting homes ahead at roughly 64%. Centers typically operate from a dedicated facility with multiple staff and age-grouped classrooms; family child care homes run from a provider's residence, usually with a smaller and more mixed-age group of children. With homes outnumbering centers by close to two to one, Chula Vista families searching broadly will see more home-based results than center-based ones.

Licensed capacity across Chula Vista's roster totals 8,890 slots, averaging about 35 per provider — a relatively high average given how home-heavy the roster is, suggesting the 92 centers here carry sizable licensed capacities. Capacity figures reflect what's licensed, not what's currently open, so contacting a provider is still the way to check real availability.

Age coverage in Chula Vista: 171 providers report serving infants, 171 report toddlers, 211 report preschool-age children, and 189 report school-age children. Preschool coverage leads at about 83% of the roster. School-age coverage stands out at 75%, one of the stronger rates in this batch of cities, while infant and toddler coverage sits at 68%.

All providers on this list are licensed through the California Department of Social Services' Community Care Licensing Division, which sets separate standards for centers and family child care homes covering staffing ratios, safety practices, and the facility itself. A current license means CCLD reviewed the operator before enrollment began; the roster data is limited to licensing status.

Given how strong school-age coverage is in Chula Vista, families needing before- or after-school placement have good odds here — a center like BONITA LEARNING ACADEMY is one example among the 92 centers on the roster. Since family child care homes outnumber centers close to two to one, starting a search with provider type as the first filter is a practical way to work through Chula Vista's 253 listings.

Chula Vista's roster leans toward family child care homes by close to two to one, so that format is worth checking first for most searches, while the city's 92 centers stand out for unusually strong school-age coverage. As with any CCLD listing, presence on this roster confirms legal operating status, not current openings or day-to-day quality — those details are best confirmed with a direct call once a shortlist is built. Narrowing Chula Vista's 253 providers by format and then by the age range a child needs is the most efficient way to reach that shortlist.