Licensed for
63
children at one time. This is the state’s limit. It is not the number enrolled now.
Child care center
Kindercare Learning Center - Via Mercado
La Mesa · 2 state licences
Not scored
Preschools aren’t tested, scored or ranked. Licensed since 1985. No serious violations in 13 state visits to its child care center licence.
Licensed since
1985
The state issued this child care center licence on January 20, 1985.
Type A findings
0
across 13 state visits to its child care center licence. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
Source: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing · licensing record synced August 13, 2026.
State licensing
What does the state record about Kindercare Learning Center - Via Mercado?
It holds two licences, a child care center for 63 children and an infant center for 36.
Child Care Center, licence 370805497
Licensed for 63 children since 1985. The state has 13 visits on file and no Type A finding.
Child Care Center
Active
First licensed January 20, 1985
Latest recorded visit: May 21, 2026
Licence number370805497
Type A findings
0
Across 13 state visits. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
Type B findings
6
Across 13 state visits. The state reports a total. It does not say which visit a finding came from.
5
Complaint visits
A complaint visit is an investigation. The record does not say what the state decided.
- Licensed capacityThe most allowed at once, not current openings or group size63 children
- State visits on file3 inspection visits, 5 other visits13
- Citation codes listedA code doesn’t say when a finding happened or whether it was corrected101229(a)(1), 101212(a)(d)(1)(C), 1596.8662(b)(1), 101216(g)(1), 101216.2(e), 1596.7995(a)(1), 101216(g)(2), 101226(e)(3)(A)
Visit dates and visit types, licence 370805497
Dates are listed as supplied by CCLD. Finding totals above are not attached to individual visits.
Complaint information date: March 3, 2026
Full state record for licence 370805497 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Infant Center, licence 370806394
Licensed for 36 children since 1991. The state has 12 visits on file and no Type A finding.
Infant Center
Active
First licensed January 2, 1991
Latest recorded visit: July 15, 2026
Licence number370806394
Type A findings
0
Across 12 state visits. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
Type B findings
8
Across 12 state visits. The state reports a total. It does not say which visit a finding came from.
4
Complaint visits
A complaint visit is an investigation. The record does not say what the state decided.
- Licensed capacity36 children
- State visits on file3 inspection visits, 5 other visits12
- Citation codes listedA code doesn’t say when a finding happened or whether it was corrected101427(c)(1), 101427(c)(1), 101221(b)(8), 101216(g)(1), 101416.5(b)(1)(A), 1596.7995(a)(1), 1596.7995(a)(1), 101216(g)(2), 101220(a), 101220.1(a)
Visit dates and visit types, licence 370806394
Dates are listed as supplied by CCLD. Finding totals above are not attached to individual visits.
Complaint information date: July 16, 2026
Full state record for licence 370806394 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
AskWhen was your last state licensing visit, and what did it find?
A licensing record shows what state inspectors checked. It does not describe teaching or a child’s day. Source: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing · licensing record synced August 13, 2026. Check the state’s current inspection records ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Cost
We have no prices.
Ask for the weekly or monthly rate and what it includes.
AskWhat does a year cost in total, and when could our child start?
TK and kindergarten
When could free TK start instead?
The September after they turn 4. California’s public transitional kindergarten (TK) is free for children who turn 4 by September 1.
The 5 nearest public elementary schools with a TK class
0.3mi
Avocado Elementary
Cajon Valley Union
Scope Score 72Developing · 28th percentile
0.9mi
Casa de Oro Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley
Scope Score 70Needs Support · 21st percentile
0.9mi
Loma Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley
Scope Score 77Solid · 59th percentile
1.3mi
Fuerte Elementary
Cajon Valley Union
Scope Score 82Strong · 77th percentile
1.5mi
Sweetwater Springs Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley
Scope Score 75Developing · 49th percentile
See all 11 TK campuses in La Mesa →
Each percentile compares a school with California schools at its own level. 75 is the typical California school. 100 is the best result in the state. Distance is a straight line. It is not an attendance boundary. Check TK and kindergarten entry with the district. Source: California Department of Education, state tests (CAASPP), spring 2026, and the state’s TK enrollment counts.
Next steps
How do I visit Kindercare Learning Center - Via Mercado, and what should I ask?
Call (619) 670-9388 and ask to visit during the day, while children are there.
- When was your last state licensing visit, and what did it find?
- The licences allow 99 children across two licences (63 child care, 36 infant). How many children 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 has 5 complaint visits on file. What were they about, and what did the state decide?
On a visit, watch how adults talk with children, how play and rest are set up, and how staff handle a hard morning.
Other licensed programs
Which other preschools are nearby?
These are the 5 nearest licensed programs. Open one to read its state record.
<0.1mi
Not scoredKindercare Learning Center - Via Mercado, Inf
La Mesa · Infant center · Licensed for 36 children
0.3mi
Not scoredLearning Jungle Rancho San Diego - Preschool
La Mesa · Child care center · Licensed for 72 children
0.3mi
Not scoredLearning Jungle Rancho San Diego - Infant
La Mesa · Infant center · Licensed for 48 children
0.4mi
Not scoredABC Barn Children's Place
La Mesa · Child care center · Licensed for 87 children
0.4mi
Not scoredABC Barn Children's Place-Extended Day
La Mesa · School-age care center · Licensed for 34 children
See all preschools in La Mesa →
Distance is a straight line from Kindercare Learning Center - Via Mercado. Capacity is the most children the state allows at one time. Source: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing.
Short answers to 6 common questions
Is it licensed?
Yes. It holds an active child care center licence, number 370805497, first issued January 20, 1985. It holds 2 licences in all. See the details ↓
Has the state found problems?
13 state visits on file for licence 370805497, with no Type A finding and 6 Type B findings across them. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety. See the details ↓
How many children are there?
Up to 63 children at once under the licences. That’s the state’s maximum, not current enrollment; ask how many are enrolled and their ages. See the details ↓
What does it cost?
We have no source for its prices. Ask for the weekly or monthly rate and what it includes. See the details ↓
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. See the details ↓
How do I visit?
Call (619) 670-9388 and ask to visit during the day, while children are there. See the details ↓
Where these records come from
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