Child care center · National City, California
John Otis Preschool
National City · Licensed for 24 children · licensed since 2006
Preschools aren’t tested, scored or ranked.
Licensed since 2006. No serious violations in 2 state visits.
Common questions
Is it licensed?
Yes: an active child care center licence, no. 376700288, first issued August 21, 2006. 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 24 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. 10 public and charter campuses in National City have a TK class. Evidence ↓
How do I visit?
Call (619) 336-8800 and ask to visit during the day, while children are there. Evidence ↓
State licensing
What does the state record about John Otis Preschool?
Licensed for 24 children since 2006: 2 state visits on file, no Type A finding.
California Community Care Licensing
Child Care Center, licence 376700288
Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
- StatusActive
- Licensed capacity24 childrenThe most allowed at once, not current openings or group size
- First licensedAugust 21, 2006When this licence was issued
- State visits on file2Latest recorded visit: October 24, 2025
- 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 376700288 ↗
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
- 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
- Kimball0.6 mi · National Elementary
- Rancho de la Nacion1.3 mi · National Elementary
- Palmer Way1.5 mi · National Elementary
2 more nearby
- Ira Harbison1.8 mi · National Elementary
- Nye Elementary2.4 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 John Otis Preschool, and what should I ask?
- When was your last state licensing visit, and what did it find?
- Licensed for 24 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
- 621 East 18th Street, National City 91950
- Phone
- (619) 336-8800
- Licensed as
- Child Care Center
- Facility number
- 376700288
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