Child care center and infant center

The Whistle Stop

Palo Alto · 2 state licences

Not scored

Preschools aren’t tested, scored or ranked. Licensed since 1995. No serious violations in 3 state visits to its child care center licence.

Licensed for

101

children at one time. This is the state’s limit. It is not the number enrolled now.

Licensed since

1995

The state issued this child care center licence on November 29, 1995.

Type A findings

0

across 3 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 Whistle Stop?

It holds two licences, a child care center for 53 children and an infant center for 48.

Child Care Center, licence 434400202

Licensed for 53 children since 1995. The state has 3 visits on file and no Type A finding.

Child Care Center

Active
First licensed November 29, 1995
Latest recorded visit: July 17, 2025
Licence number434400202

Type A findings

0

Across 3 state visits. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.

Type B findings

1

Across 3 state visits. The state reports a total. It does not say which visit a finding came from.

0

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 size53 children
  • State visits on file3 inspection visits, 0 other visits3
  • Citation codes listedA code doesn’t say when a finding happened or whether it was corrected1597.16(a)(1)
Visit dates and visit types, licence 434400202

Dates are listed as supplied by CCLD. Finding totals above are not attached to individual visits.

Full state record for licence 434400202 ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Infant Center, licence 434400203

Licensed for 48 children since 1995. The state has 3 visits on file and no Type A finding.

Infant Center

Active
First licensed November 29, 1995
Latest recorded visit: July 17, 2025
Licence number434400203

Type A findings

0

Across 3 state visits. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.

Type B findings

1

Across 3 state visits. The state reports a total. It does not say which visit a finding came from.

0

Complaint visits

A complaint visit is an investigation. The record does not say what the state decided.

  • Licensed capacity48 children
  • State visits on file3 inspection visits, 0 other visits3
  • Citation codes listedA code doesn’t say when a finding happened or whether it was corrected1597.16(a)(1)
Visit dates and visit types, licence 434400203

Dates are listed as supplied by CCLD. Finding totals above are not attached to individual visits.

Full state record for licence 434400203 ↗ (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?

Read the preschool cost guide →

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

See all 7 TK campuses in Palo Alto →

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 Whistle Stop, and what should I ask?

Call (650) 852-3497 and ask to visit during the day, while children are there.

  1. When was your last state licensing visit, and what did it find?
  2. The licences allow 101 children across two licences (53 child care, 48 infant). How many children share your child’s room, and with how many adults?
  3. Which ages do you take, and how does a new child settle in?
  4. What are the daily hours and closure dates, and is there care before or after?
  5. 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.

3801 Miranda Avenue #t6b, Palo Alto 94304Call (650) 852-3497Get directions ↗

Other licensed programs

Which other preschools are nearby?

These are the 5 nearest licensed programs. Open one to read its state record.

See all preschools in Palo Alto →

Distance is a straight line from Whistle Stop. 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 434400202, first issued November 29, 1995. It holds 2 licences in all. See the details ↓

Has the state found problems?

3 state visits on file for licence 434400202, with no Type A finding and 1 Type B finding across them. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety. See the details ↓

How many children are there?

Up to 101 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. 7 public and charter campuses in Palo Alto have a TK class. See the details ↓

How do I visit?

Call (650) 852-3497 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