Best Daycare Centers in Merced, CA
Compare 36 daycare centers in Merced. Average rating: 4.46/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Merced, California at a glance
- Daycares
- 36
- Avg rating
- 4.46/5
- Parent reviews
- 43
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 8
Merced has 36 licensed daycares with 43 parent reviews averaging 4.46/5.8 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 50% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 95348 (avg 4.73 stars), while 95340 has the largest selection (26 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Merced
Ranked using a weighted score that combines Google rating with the number of parent reviews — daycares with more reviews rank higher than those with a high rating but few reviews. Last updated: March 2026.
- 1Dina'S Daycare And Preschool4.58 score5(7)
220 S. Canal St., Merced, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children
Dina's Daycare and Preschool in Merced receives uniformly positive feedback from parents. Reviews highlight the quality of the preschool program, children's academic progress, and strong staff performance. Parents consistently recommend the facility.
Excellent preschool programchildren learning and succeeding in schoolgood quality carefriendly and competent staff - 2Merced College Child Development Center4.16 score4.2(20)
3600 M Street, Merced, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 120 children
NOTE: The reviews provided are for Merced College, a community college, not for the Child Development Center daycare. Based on college reviews only: Students praise the quality of education, supportive professors, and available student services, though some note parking issues and variable staff quality.
Quality professors and educationhelpful staff going above and beyondstrong support services (EOP&SDSPS
Rating Distribution
Based on 16 daycares with Google ratings in Merced
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in Merced, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
Merced zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95348 | 5 | 4.73 | 2 | |
| 95340 | 26 | 4.28 | 4 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in Merced (15–135 children)
Small
up to 30 children
20
Medium
31–75 children
10
Large
76–150 children
6
Very Large
150+ children
0
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Merced based on parent reviews
Dina'S Daycare And Preschool
220 S. Canal St., Merced, CA
Dina's Daycare and Preschool in Merced receives uniformly positive feedback from parents. Reviews highlight the quality of the preschool program, children's academic progress, and strong staff performance. Parents consistently recommend the facility.
Sonshine Christian Preschool
500 Buena Vista Drive, Merced, CA
Parents describe Sonshine Christian Preschool as an outstanding, well-organized center with friendly staff and fun educational activities that help shy children thrive. Reviewers highlight the positive social environment and academic head start provided to their children.
Sonshine Christian Preschool
500 Buena Vista Dr, Merced, CA
One parent describes the school as outstanding, noting that a shy grandson has blossomed and thrived under the care of extremely friendly teachers. Another family highlights the outstanding structure and organization, reporting that their child has learned significantly while enjoying new friends and a pleasant experience. A third review praises the fun activities and educational atmosphere, with grandparents noting their grandsons really enjoy attending.
John O'Bannion Child Development Center
401 Lescher Drive, Merced, CA
Cccds John O Banion Cdc
401 Lesher Drive, Suite G, Merced, CA
Merced College Child Development Center
3600 M Street, Merced, CA
NOTE: The reviews provided are for Merced College, a community college, not for the Child Development Center daycare. Based on college reviews only: Students praise the quality of education, supportive professors, and available student services, though some note parking issues and variable staff quality.
Map
Daycare types in Merced
Browse by type in Merced
Daycare Centers in Merced, California
There are 36 daycare centers in Merced, California. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in Merced have an average rating of 4.46 out of 5 across 16 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Headstart Programs facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 43 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Merced, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
All Daycare Centers in Merced
Showing 36 results
- Address
- 655 G St, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 381-5185
- Address
- 343 E. Donna Drive, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 725-7935
- Address
- 401 Lescher Drive, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 726-3154
Parents describe Sonshine Christian Preschool as an outstanding, well-organized center with friendly staff and fun educational activities that help shy children thrive. Reviewers highlight the positive social environment and academic head start provided to their children.
- Address
- 500 Buena Vista Drive, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 383-7729
One parent describes the school as outstanding, noting that a shy grandson has blossomed and thrived under the care of extremely friendly teachers. Another family highlights the outstanding structure and organization, reporting that their child has learned significantly while enjoying new friends and a pleasant experience. A third review praises the fun activities and educational atmosphere, with grandparents noting their grandsons really enjoy attending.
- Address
- 500 Buena Vista Dr, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 383-7729
- Address
- 353 E. Donna Drive, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 725-7935
Dina's Daycare and Preschool in Merced receives uniformly positive feedback from parents. Reviews highlight the quality of the preschool program, children's academic progress, and strong staff performance. Parents consistently recommend the facility.
- Address
- 220 S. Canal St., Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 725-9452
- Address
- 401 Lesher Drive, Suite G, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 726-3154
- Address
- 211 East 11th Street, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6619
- Address
- 3190 Collins Dr, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 626-5741
NOTE: The reviews provided are for Merced College, a community college, not for the Child Development Center daycare. Based on college reviews only: Students praise the quality of education, supportive professors, and available student services, though some note parking issues and variable staff quality.
- Address
- 3600 M Street, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 384-6245
- Address
- 123 South N Street, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6761
- Address
- 2900 Green Street, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6378
Parents highlight the center's caring staff and structured curriculum, noting that it supports academic growth and life skills for children aged 2 to 12. Reviewers express high satisfaction with the pleasant environment and the school's ability to provide reliable care.
- Address
- 2115 Wardrobe Avenue, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 722-2327
- Address
- 2115 Wardrobe Avenue, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 722-2327
- Address
- 1400 East 27th Street, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 722-6657
- Address
- 2916 N. Mckee Road, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 383-5672
- Address
- 900 E. Twentieth Street, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6615
- Address
- 1730 E. Brookdale Avenue, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6772
- Address
- 100 Winder Avenue, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 725-7125
- Address
- 2736 N. Franklin Road, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6623
- Address
- 213 East 11th Street, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 381-5178
- Address
- 201 E Alexander, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 383-1232
- Address
- 848 East Donna Drive, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6700
- Address
- 2142 E. Yosemite Avenue, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 383-4727
- Address
- 1120 West 22nd St., Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6000
- Address
- 300 W. Twenty-Sixth Street, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6667
- Address
- 609 East Alexander Avenue, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6674
- Address
- 1240 West 6th Street, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 385-6676
- Address
- 436 West 21st Street, Merced, CA
- Phone
- (209) 722-9823
Page 1 of 2· 36 results
Frequently asked questions
- Licensing status with California's regulatory agency
- Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in California)
- Safety measures and cleanliness
- Daily routines and educational curriculum
- Parent reviews and ratings
- Location and hours that fit your schedule
- Child Daycare & Preschools — 26 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 3 facilities
- Church Daycare — 1 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 6 facilities