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Child care center 

Ellen Thacher Children's Center

505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto, CA 943063.7· 3 reviews
licensed capacity
28
open each week
5 days
a week, county median
$527
year first licensed
1997
Call (650) 494-1467WebsiteDirections

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Ellen Thacher Children's Center

Ellen Thacher Children's Center is a licensed child care center in Palo Alto, California. The state has licensed it since October 7, 1997, for up to 28 children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. It describes a Play-based and Reggio Emilia approach, with full-time care and part-time care. It says it provides meals.

California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division lists 7 visits since Apr 2022, with 0 Type A and 1 Type B citation.

Meals provided
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio, teacher qualifications and whether it accepts child care subsidies.
Type
Child care center
Ages
2 years to TK or kindergarten entry
Hours today
7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Licensed capacity
28 children

Hours

Hours

MondayToday7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Friday7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayNot listed
Hours it lists: “Full Day | 7:30am - 6:00pm”

Programs

Programs and care

Ages2 years to TK or kindergarten entry
ProgramsFull-time care and part-time care
ApproachPlay-based, Reggio Emilia
EnrichmentGolden Acorn Music, MyGym
Daily lifeMeals provided; Snacks provided
SafetyOutdoor playground
Licensed capacity28 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

Ellen Thacher Children's Center has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Santa Clara County has a median price of $527 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).

Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition. The county medians below are a starting point.
Santa Clara County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$527
Home daycare$361

Toddler

Center$373
Home daycare$313

Preschool

Center$410
Home daycare$347

School age

Center$438
Home daycare$287

County median full-time prices at centers and home daycares, U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 (the latest year). Not this daycare's rates; prices have risen since.

State record

Inspection reports for Ellen Thacher Children's Center

California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division lists 7 visits to Ellen Thacher Children's Center since Apr 2022. Its published counts show 0 Type A and 1 Type B citation across those visits.

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Child care center
Capacity
28 children
First licensed
1997
License number
#434400381
See the state's record

Summary

7 visits since Apr 2022 · Last visit Mar 5, 2026

Type A citations 0 · Type B citations 1, as the state counts them

A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.

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See all 7 visits
  1. Mar 5, 2026Inspection
  2. Jan 29, 2026Complaint investigationType A 0 · Type B 1
  3. Nov 14, 2024Inspection
  4. Aug 24, 2023Inspection
  5. Sep 1, 2022Inspection
  6. May 9, 2022VisitType A 0 · Type B 0
  7. Apr 29, 2022Inspection

California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division publishes how many Type A and Type B citations each visit produced, not the rule text. The state defines Type A as a violation that is an immediate risk to children's health, safety or personal rights, and Type B as one that could become an immediate risk if not corrected.

Copied from California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division on October 1, 2026; the state's records start around Jan 2021. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

Reviews

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All 76 daycares in Palo AltoPart-Time Daycare in Palo AltoAll 25,828 daycares in California

FAQ

Questions about Ellen Thacher Children's Center

Is Ellen Thacher Children's Center licensed?

Yes. California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division lists it as licensed and operating, first licensed October 7, 1997.

Does Ellen Thacher Children's Center have inspection violations?

California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division lists 7 visits to Ellen Thacher Children's Center since Apr 2022. Its published counts show 0 Type A and 1 Type B citation across those visits.

How many children can Ellen Thacher Children's Center care for?

28, the licensed capacity on the state record.

What are Ellen Thacher Children's Center's hours?

Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Ellen Thacher Children's Center cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (650) 494-1467 to ask.

What is Ellen Thacher Children's Center's phone number?

(650) 494-1467.

Where is Ellen Thacher Children's Center?

505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306. The nearest other daycare we list is Hoover Kids' Club, 0.1 miles away.

Sources: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division (license and visits) · U.S. Department of Labor, 2022 (county prices).