Choosing early care and education experiences for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent will make.
While the search may take time, understanding the types of care available and knowing what to look for in a quality program will help you make an informed choice.

How to Find a Quality Program

Step 1: Learn About the types of Care Available.

• Licensed Family Child Care Homes

• Child Care Centers

​​Operate in commercial spaces and may be run by private businesses, nonprofits, school districts or religious organizations. Centers often have structured schedules, multiple staff members, and a wider range of materials and activities.

• License-Exempt Child Care
  Some providers are legally exempt from licensing requirements. These include certain public recreation-based programs and family or in-home caregivers. To learn more about license-exempt care, click here.
  • City of Irvine Enrichment Classes: Visit Yourirvine.org and select “Early Childhood” to view available classes.
  • In-Home Care (nannies, relatives, babysitters): These are not licensed by the state. Visit CDSS In-Home Care page for tips and resources.  The City of Irvine does not maintain or provide in-home caregiver information.

Step 2: Find Local Programs

Use the following resources to identify care options in Irvine:
For Children ages 0-5
Programs may be titled “Academy”, “School”, “Center”, or “Daycare” but they fall into one of the three categories described above:

1. Licensed Family Child Care Home
2. Licensed Child Care Center
3. License-Exempt Program

All licensed programs must follow the same safety regulations. Each program sets its own curriculum, designs its learning environment, and may follow a specific or blended educational approach such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or play based learning.

• Irvine Child Care Centers-View Listings
• Irvine Family-Based Child Care-View Listings
  
  • Listings organized by Irvine Village. View Irvine Villages Aerial Map. Contact providers directly for location and availability.
•  Map view of Irvine Child Care Centers and Family-Based Child Care

• TK is not required in California. It is an optional program that parents may chose to enroll their child in if they believe it will benefit them.
• To learn more from your school district:
  
  • Irvine Unified School District PK
  • Tustin Unified School District TK
    
    • To view after school options for your TK student please view options for School Age Children below

​If you need full-day care or prefer an alternative setting many licensed family child care homes and child care centers accept 4-year-olds. Contact providers directly for curriculum, hours, tuition and enrollment.

School Age Children (TK/K - 6^th grade)

• Irvine Family-Based Child Care
  • Some offer before- and after-school care. Check the listings by village and contact providers directly.
• Irvine After School Programs
  
  • Full-day care during school breaks and some non-school days.
  • Includes:
    
    • Licensed Programs on IUSD Campuses
    • Licensed School-Age Programs in Irvine – various locations
    • License-Exempt City-Operated Recreation Programs – serving children enrolled in Kindergarten through 6th grade.
    • Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) Free after-school, summer, or intersession learning programs operating on each Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) elementary campus, available to qualifying students (Free/Reduced Meals, Foster Youth/Homeless; English Learners). For more information, please click here.

• Map view of All Licensed Irvine Child Care Programs

For Families of Children with Special Needs
For tailored resources, please click here.

Step 3: Evaluate Programs

Before making a decision:

1. Check Program Licensing and History
​Visit the California Community Care Licensing Division to review inspection history and license status.

• Search by facility number, name, or city (“Irvine”)
• Use filters to find:
  
  • Child Care Infant Center (0–2 years)
  • School Age Child Care Center (kindergarten–sixth grade)
  • Child Care Center Preschool (2–5 years)
  • Family Child Care Home Large
  • Family Child Care Home Small (must list exact name of licensee to search)

2. Contact and Tour Programs

​Call your top choices to check availability and schedule visits. Ask about:

• Curriculum
• Hours and tuition
• Health and safety practices
• Teacher qualifications and ratios

3. Prepare for your visit:
Review these helpful guides:

• What to Look for In a Program (NAEYC)
• Choosing Quality Child Care (California Department of Education)

It is recommended that you make the first visit alone. Then, once you narrow down your choices or choose a provider, bring your child in for a visit.

Need Help?

City of Irvine Child Care Resource Line
(949) 724-6632 | Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Children’s Home Society of California (CHSCA)
Orange County Hotlines: (714) 543-2273 or (949) 364-6605
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Speak with a specialist or enter your family’s unique needs utilizing this online form.

Disclaimer: The City of Irvine provides referrals and informational resources only. It does not license, endorse, or screen individual providers. We encourage families to visit and evaluate each provider before enrolling.