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.

Irvine Child Care Providers: to add or update your program’s information on the list and the interactive map linked below, please click here to complete the form. Please note: Child Care License must be issued by the California Community Care Licensing Division, and the program must be located in the City of Irvine in order to be listed on the City of Irvine website. Please allow approximately four weeks for new programs to be added to the website or existing programs to be updated on the website once the form is submitted.

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.