Child care center and school-age care center · Santee, California
Children's Choice
Santee · Licensed for 57 children · licensed since 2016
Preschools aren’t tested, scored or ranked.
Licensed since 2016. No serious violations in 2 state visits to its center licence.
Common questions
Is it licensed?
Yes: an active child care center licence, no. 376701224, first issued May 13, 2016. It holds 2 licences in all. Evidence ↓
Has the state found problems?
2 state visits on file for licence 376701224, with no Type A finding and 1 Type B finding across them. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety. Evidence ↓
How many children are there?
Up to 57 children at once under the licences. 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. 8 public and charter campuses in Santee have a TK class. Evidence ↓
How do I visit?
Call (619) 457-0381 and ask to visit during the day, while children are there. Evidence ↓
State licensing
What does the state record about Children's Choice?
Two licences: a child care center for 43 children and a school-age care center for 14.
California Community Care Licensing
Child Care Center, licence 376701224
Licensed for 43 children since 2016: 2 state visits on file, no Type A finding. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
- StatusActive
- Licensed capacity43 childrenThe most allowed at once, not current openings or group size
- First licensedMay 13, 2016When this licence was issued
- State visits on file2Latest recorded visit: July 5, 2023
- Type A findings0Across 2 state visits
- Type B findings1Across 2 state visits. CCLD reports findings as totals, not tied to a visit
- Complaint visits1Investigations; the record doesn’t show whether complaints were upheld
- Citation codes listed101216(g)(1)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 376701224 ↗
School-Age Care Center, licence 376701225
Licensed for 14 children since 2016: 1 state visit on file, no Type A finding. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
- StatusActive
- Licensed capacity14 children
- First licensedMay 13, 2016When this licence was issued
- State visits on file1Latest recorded visit: June 29, 2023
- Type A findings0Across 1 state visit
- Type B findings0Across 1 state visit. 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 376701225 ↗
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, licence 376701224
Dates are listed as supplied by CCLD. Finding totals above are not attached to individual visits.
- Inspection visits
- 1
- Other visits
- 0
Child care licensing regulations →
Complaint information date: 07/03/2023
Visit dates and visit types, licence 376701225
Dates are listed as supplied by CCLD. Finding totals above are not attached to individual visits.
- Inspection visits
- 1
- Other visits
- 0
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
- Rio Seco Elementary1.2 mi · Santee
- Hill Creek Elementary1.3 mi · Santee
- PRIDE Academy at Prospect Avenue1.3 mi · Santee
2 more nearby
- Pepper Drive Elementary1.3 mi · Santee
- Carlton Hills Elementary1.6 mi · Santee
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 Children's Choice, and what should I ask?
- When was your last state licensing visit, and what did it find?
- Licensed for 57 children across two licences (43 child care, 14 school-age care): 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?
- 1 complaint visit is 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
- 8824 Cottonwood Avenue, Santee 92071
- Phone
- (619) 457-0381
- Licensed as
- Child Care Center + School-Age Care Center
- Licence numbers
- 376701224 · 376701225
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