Child care center · San Mateo, California
Challenge School
San Mateo · Licensed for 88 children · licensed since 2024
Preschools aren’t tested, scored or ranked.
Licensed since 2024. No serious violations in 2 state visits.
Common questions
Is it licensed?
Yes: an active child care center licence, no. 414005160, first issued October 9, 2024. Evidence ↓
Has the state found problems?
2 state visits on file, with no 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 88 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 San Mateo have a TK class. Evidence ↓
How do I visit?
Call (650) 574-6878 and ask to visit during the day, while children are there. Evidence ↓
State licensing
What does the state record about Challenge?
Licensed for 88 children since 2024: 2 state visits on file, no Type A finding.
California Community Care Licensing
Child Care Center, licence 414005160
Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
- StatusActive
- Licensed capacity88 childrenThe most allowed at once, not current openings or group size
- First licensedOctober 9, 2024When this licence was issued
- State visits on file2Latest recorded visit: June 18, 2026
- Type A findings0Across 2 state visits
- Type B findings0Across 2 state visits. CCLD reports findings as totals, not tied to a visit
- Complaint visits0Investigations; the record doesn’t show whether complaints were upheld
Source: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing · synced August 13, 2026 · Full state record for licence 414005160 ↗
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
- 1
- Other visits
- 1
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
- Foster City Elementary1.2 mi · San Mateo-Foster City
- Beach Park Elementary1.3 mi · San Mateo-Foster City
- Brewer Island Elementary1.3 mi · San Mateo-Foster City
2 more nearby
- George Hall Elementary1.5 mi · San Mateo-Foster City
- Audubon Elementary1.5 mi · San Mateo-Foster City
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 Challenge, and what should I ask?
- When was your last state licensing visit, and what did it find?
- Licensed for 88 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?
On a visit, watch how adults talk with children, how play and rest are set up, and how staff handle a hard morning.
- Address
- 1661 Fashion Island Blvd., San Mateo 94404
- Phone
- (650) 574-6878
- Licensed as
- Child Care Center
- Facility number
- 414005160
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