Child care center · La Mesa, California
Aka Head Start - La Mesa
La Mesa · Licensed for 60 children · licensed since 1992
Preschools aren’t tested, scored or ranked.
Licensed since 1992. 1 serious violation across 12 state visits.
Common questions
Is it licensed?
Yes: an active child care center licence, no. 370806460, first issued August 26, 1992. Evidence ↓
Has the state found problems?
12 state visits on file, with 1 Type A finding and no Type B finding across them. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety. Evidence ↓
How many children are there?
Up to 60 children at once under the licence. That’s the state’s maximum, not current enrollment; ask how many are enrolled and their ages. Evidence ↓
More questions (3)
What does it cost?
We have no source for its prices. Ask for the weekly or monthly rate and what it includes. Evidence ↓
When could my child start free TK instead?
The September after they turn 4: TK is free at public elementary schools for children who turn 4 by September 1. 11 public and charter campuses in La Mesa have a TK class. Evidence ↓
How do I visit?
Call (619) 463-1093 and ask to visit during the day, while children are there. Evidence ↓
State licensing
What does the state record about Aka Head Start - La Mesa?
Licensed for 60 children since 1992: 12 state visits on file, 1 Type A finding.
California Community Care Licensing
Child Care Center, licence 370806460
Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
- StatusActive
- Licensed capacity60 childrenThe most allowed at once, not current openings or group size
- First licensedAugust 26, 1992When this licence was issued
- State visits on file12Latest recorded visit: May 7, 2026
- Type A findings1Across 12 state visits
- Type B findings0Across 12 state visits. CCLD reports findings as totals, not tied to a visit
- Complaint visits4Investigations; the record doesn’t show whether complaints were upheld
- Citation codes listed1596.885(c), 101229(a)(1), 101229(a)A code doesn’t say when a finding happened or whether it was corrected
Source: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing · synced August 13, 2026 · Full state record for licence 370806460 ↗
Licensing records describe regulatory oversight, not teaching or daily experience. Check the state’s current inspection records ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Ask: When was your last state licensing visit, and what did it find?
Visit dates and visit types
Dates are listed as supplied by CCLD. Finding totals above are not attached to individual visits.
- Inspection visits
- 2
- Other visits
- 6
Child care licensing regulations →
Complaint information date: 05/13/2026
TK and kindergarten
When could free TK start instead?
California’s public transitional kindergarten (TK) is free for children who turn 4 by September 1.
California’s TK rule
- Lemon Avenue Elementary1.6 mi · La Mesa-Spring Valley
- Language Academy1.6 mi · San Diego Unified
- Benchley/Weinberger Elementary1.8 mi · San Diego Unified
2 more nearby
- Hearst Elementary2.0 mi · San Diego Unified
- Green Elementary2.0 mi · San Diego Unified
Each percentile compares a school with California schools at its own level. Distance isn’t an attendance boundary; check TK and kindergarten entry with the district.
Next steps
How do I visit Aka Head Start - La Mesa, and what should I ask?
- When was your last state licensing visit, and what did it find?
- Licensed for 60 children: how many share your child’s room, and with how many adults?
- Which ages do you take, and how does a new child settle in?
- What are the daily hours and closure dates, and is there care before or after?
- What does a year cost in total, and when could our child start?
- The state record shows 1 Type A finding: what changed afterwards?
- 4 complaint visits are on file: what were they about, and how were they resolved?
On a visit, watch how adults talk with children, how play and rest are set up, and how staff handle a hard morning.
- Address
- 7520 El Cajon Blvd #201 & 2, La Mesa 91942
- Phone
- (619) 463-1093
- Licensed as
- Child Care Center
- Facility number
- 370806460
Source recordsstate licensing
The inspection source covers child care centers, not family child care homes. Check each license’s sync date and the current state reports, then confirm routines and enrollment with the program.
Data source: California Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) · Licensing record synced August 13, 2026
Inspection reports ↗ · Parent reviews on Winnie ↗ · Pre-K vs TK vs preschool in California: a 2026 parent’s guide · Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio · Preschool cost guide