Finding childcare in Gilroy is stressful. You need a place that is safe, licensed, close to home or work, and run by people who actually care about your kid. Google returns a wall of national directory sites that scrape licensing databases and slap ads on them. That does not help you figure out which preschool or daycare in Gilroy is worth trusting with your two-year-old.
We checked Yelp, Google, state licensing records, and local parent recommendations, verified phone numbers and addresses, and picked five preschools and daycare centers in Gilroy with real track records.
Little Star Day Care and Preschool Education
Address: 759 Gary St, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: (650) 346-2243
Rating: 5.0 stars on Yelp (40 reviews, 484 photos)
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5 PM
Maria and Joanna run Little Star out of a home-based setting on Gary Street. The program covers daycare, preschool education, toddler classes, and after-school care. Walk-ins are welcome. The photo count on Yelp (484) tells you something about how engaged the teachers are with parents. They send frequent updates throughout the day so you know what your kid is doing, not just that they are alive.
Why locals pick them: 40 Yelp reviews and a perfect 5.0 rating. Parents mention that Maria and Joanna give each child individual attention and create a mix of structured learning, art, outdoor play, and even yoga for the little ones. Multiple families say their kids cried when they aged out because they did not want to leave.
Photo: Little Star Day Care and Preschool | Photo via Yelp business profile
One World Kidz Preschool
Address: 8387 Wren Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: (408) 842-4148
Rating: 5.0 stars on Yelp (21 reviews, 16 photos)
Hours: Monday through Friday 6:30 AM to 6 PM
One World Kidz has been on Wren Avenue since 2003 and runs a kindergarten readiness program for kids ages 2.5 to 6. The curriculum is designed to send kids into kindergarten with the academic and emotional skills they need to succeed. They offer early drop-off starting at 6:30 AM, after-school care with transportation, and they stay open year-round except holidays. They accept subsidized programs for payment as well as private pay.
Why locals pick them: The Kinder readiness program works. Parents say their children entered kindergarten ahead of their peers. Teachers keep parents updated on progress, and the extended hours (6:30 AM to 6 PM) give working parents real flexibility. The year-round schedule means no scrambling for summer coverage.
Photo: One World Kidz Preschool | Photo via Yelp business profile
Hearts and Hands Christian Childcare and Preschool
Address: 8455 Wren Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: (408) 413-2111
Rating: Listed on Yelp with photos and reviews
Hours: Monday through Friday 7 AM to 6 PM
Hearts and Hands has been serving Gilroy families since 2003. It is a faith-based program with Bible-centered curriculum alongside foundational academics, art, science, and indoor and outdoor play. Circle time, structured learning blocks, and free play are all part of the daily schedule. The Wren Avenue location sits right next to One World Kidz, giving parents on that side of Gilroy two strong options within walking distance of each other.
Why locals pick them: Parents who want a faith-based environment with academic structure choose Hearts and Hands. Reviews describe caring, attentive teachers who create a safe space where kids feel loved. The program has been running for over 20 years in Gilroy, which is its own form of proof.
Photo: Hearts and Hands Christian Childcare | Photo via Yelp business profile
Tiny Tots Preschool and Daycare
Address: 8985 Monterey Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: (408) 847-8494
Rating: Listed on Yelp with reviews and photos
Hours: Check website for current hours (tinytotsgilroy.com)
Tiny Tots is a bilingual preschool and daycare on Monterey Road that accepts children from 6 weeks old through school age, plus an after-school program for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. All teachers are state-licensed and First Aid/CPR certified. They provide diapers, wipes, snacks, breakfast (for kids arriving before 8:30 AM), and lunch. The infant acceptance starting at 6 weeks is hard to find at most preschools on this list.
Why locals pick them: The age range. Most preschools start at 2 or 3 years old. Tiny Tots takes infants from 6 weeks, which means parents returning to work after maternity or paternity leave have a local option. The bilingual (Spanish and English) program is a bonus for families who want their kids growing up with both languages. Meals and supplies included in the rate simplifies the daily routine.
Photo: Tiny Tots Preschool and Daycare | Photo via Yelp business profile
Go Kids (Los Arroyos Center)
Address: 885 Moro Dr, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: (408) 843-9000
Rating: Listed on Yelp and community directories
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM
Go Kids is a nonprofit that has been providing child development and family support services since 1975. The Gilroy center on Moro Drive serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years old with a maximum capacity of 128. The program uses a mix of child-led and teacher-led activities designed to prepare children for school. They offer subsidized child care, which means income-qualifying families can get high-quality care at reduced or no cost.
Why locals pick them: Subsidized care. For families who qualify, Go Kids removes the financial barrier that keeps parents from accessing quality childcare. The nonprofit has been operating for nearly 50 years across Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties. The Gilroy location has outdoor play areas on site and is currently enrolling.
Photo: Go Kids Child Development Center | Photo via Google Business Profile
How We Picked These
We searched Google Maps, Yelp, Care.com, Winnie, and Nextdoor for preschools and daycare centers in Gilroy, verified phone numbers and addresses against state licensing records, read recent parent reviews on multiple platforms, and prioritized facilities with a physical Gilroy address and consistent positive feedback. National directory aggregators and unlicensed home care providers were excluded.
FAQ
How much does preschool cost in Gilroy?
Rates vary by program type and age. Home-based programs like Little Star typically run $200 to $350 per week for full-time care. Center-based programs range from $250 to $400 per week depending on the child’s age and hours needed. Go Kids offers subsidized rates for income-qualifying families. Most programs on this list offer tours and will discuss pricing in person.
What age do preschools in Gilroy accept?
Most preschools start at age 2 to 3. Tiny Tots and Go Kids both accept infants starting at 6 weeks. One World Kidz starts at 2.5 years old. Check with each provider for their specific age requirements.
Are there bilingual preschools in Gilroy?
Tiny Tots Preschool and Daycare offers a bilingual program in Spanish and English. Several other providers in Gilroy have bilingual staff, but Tiny Tots is the only one on this list with a formally bilingual curriculum.
How do I find subsidized childcare in Gilroy?
Go Kids on Moro Drive offers subsidized child care for income-qualifying families. You can also contact the Santa Clara County Office of Education or 4Cs (Community Child Care Council) for a list of subsidized providers in the area.
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