Childcare for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

6 weeks is the minimum age for childcare in California. Below are some choices, the list is non exhaustive. For a comprehensive choice of daycares and family day cares, you can read the parent reviews on Yelp and also consult Options.

Caltech and Jet Propulsion Laboratory have three different facilities on their campuses.
Children's Center at Caltech (Caltech – starts at 6 months old)
Child Educational Center (JPL and Caltech sites)

Off-Campus Daycare. Privately operated under a state license. Some daycare facilities will accept children as young as 6 weeks old. Daycare is generally for infants and toddlers. Children attend in same-age groups, for a half day or a full day. Children may attend daycare for two, three, or five days per week. Tuition payment is required. There are up to 20 children in each age group with 4 to 5 teachers.

Infants and Toddlers (some accept children from a few weeks old)
Pasadena Preschool Academy • (previously named Step by Step) • 2611 Woodlyn Road, Pasadena
Kiddie Academy• 69 N. Halstead Street, Pasadena
Pasadena Day Nursery • 450 North Garfield, Pasadena
Kids Club • 380 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena
Child Development Center • 1324 East green Street, Pasadena

24 months and older (consider also the daycares above)
Sunrise Preschool • 3700 East Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena
Rainbow Learning Circle • 524 E. Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena

The Academy . 700 East Green St, Pasadena

International Montessori . 55 West Green St, Pasadena

Family Daycare. Privately operated under a state license in a private home
Little Bohemians • Altadena
Paulett's Daycare (no website – just reviews) • 2737 Tola Avenue, Altadena. Tel: (626) 794 5191
Sherrie Thues • 984 North Chester Avenue, Pasadena. Tel: (626) 798 3878

Co-op Nursery. Privately operated under a state license, for children aged 2,5 – 5 years old. Most co-op nurseries offer a two, three, and five half-day programs. A half day is either three hours in the morning or three hours in the afternoon. Parents in a co-op nursery take turns on a regular weekly basis to assist the teachers and/or to do minor maintenance chores around the school. This mandatory parent participation helps to defray the school's operating expenses and to lower the tuition. The California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools can help you locate local co-op nursery schools. For the Pasadena area, select San Gabriel Valley Council. Here is a list of co-op nurseries in the Pasadena area:

Cottage Co-Op Nursery School • 169 Arlington Drive, Pasadena.
Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School • 1515 Garfield Avenue, South Pasadena
Sierra Madre Community Nursery School • 701 East Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre
Altadena Nursery School • 789 North Altadena Drive, Pasadena
Hastings Ranch Nursery School • 3740 east Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena

Babysitting and Nannies
SitterCity allows parents to post advertisements for babysitters (you can also read information about average hourly rates for babysitting).
A Better Nanny Agency
Nanny Classifieds
Nanny Verify

Occasional Help and Babysitting
Meredith

Preschool Play Groups at Caltech
Caltech International Spouses Club Toddlers & Minis Group (include also friends, no need to be a parent)
Pasadena City College Parent Education Classes are held once a week for parents who can bring their children (from birth to 5 years) and enjoy playtime, crafts, songs and discussions. It's also a nice way to meet new people.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD).
Early Childhood Education is a program for children between 3 and 4 years old.

If you need more comprehensive information, visit Options which offers a free, comprehensive list of child care (daycare and preschool) centers in and around Pasadena. For the Pasadena area, choose "San Gabriel Valley Council" as the regional council.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is for general information only. Caltech does not endorse or recommend any of the organizations listed. Caltech does not inspect the providers and cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information or the quality of the supervision or education your child will receive. The choice of your child's care provider and/or school is your responsibility.