San Mateo · Licensed center

Safari Kid San Mateo

What these mean, and where they come from

Medium means the middle half of Bay Area’s 439 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 31 to 75 children. Small is 8 to 30; large is 76 to 312.

How they teach

Reggio Emilia–inspired, Waldorf–inspired, Montessori–inspired, play-based, developmental and academic

“It is inspired by Montessori methods, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf education philosophies.”In their words, July 2026.safarikid.com

“We embrace Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, recognizing that intelligence goes beyond academics.”In their words, July 2026.safarikid.com

“Play Based Learning Safari Kid recognizes the research that underscores the significance of play in early education as one of the most impactful ways that young children learn.”In their words, July 2026.safarikid.com

“Whole child development is designed to foster growth across five core domains: physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language.”In their words, July 2026.safarikid.com

One of 21 Bay Area providers that describe a Reggio Emilia approach, out of 164 that describe any approach at all.

Shortlist doesn’t have these yet: cost, hours and late pickup, ratios and staff, a typical day, sick and biting policies.

What the state has found

Routine visits: 3 of 10 cited something

Bay Area centers: the state cites something at about 1 in 4 routine visits.

From California CDSS Community Care Licensing’s published reports, last checked September 25, 2026.

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — California CDSS Community Care Licensing

Last visit
July 15, 2026
On file
10 visits since October 2021 — 7 cited nothing · 7 complaint investigations
Most serious
Type B — 101212(d)(1)(E) Reporting Requirements: Upon the occurrence, during the operation of the child care center of any of the events specified in (d)(1) below, a report shall be made to the Department by telephone or fax within the Department's next working day and during its normal business hours. In addition, a written report containing the information specified in (d)(2) below shall be submitted to the Department within seven days following the occurrence of such event. (1) Events reported shall include the following:(E) Epidemic outbreaks. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: At 11:25AM. Based on information obtained; LPA confirmed facility did not report outbreak of communicable illness to the department. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care. · July 15, 2026

California CDSS publishes the full investigation narrative for a complaint, including its disposition, and classifies a citation Type A — an immediate risk to a child — or Type B.

Jul 2026 Licensing visit 1 finding

Licensing visit · July 15, 2026

CCR 101212(d)(1)(E) · Type B

101212(d)(1)(E) Reporting Requirements: Upon the occurrence, during the operation of the child care center of any of the events specified in (d)(1) below, a report shall be made to the Department by telephone or fax within the Department's next working day and during its normal business hours. In addition, a written report containing the information specified in (d)(2) below shall be submitted to the Department within seven days following the occurrence of such event. (1) Events reported shall include the following:(E) Epidemic outbreaks. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: At 11:25AM. Based on information obtained; LPA confirmed facility did not report outbreak of communicable illness to the department. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care.

State report

May 2026 Licensing visit nothing cited
Dec 2025 Licensing visit 1 finding

Licensing visit · December 2, 2025

CCR 101238(b)(1) · Type B

101238(b) All children shall be protected against hazards within the center through provision of the following: (1) Protective devices including but not limited to nonslip material on rugs. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: At 10:15AM., Based on observation, LPA confirmed non-griping step stools (4) located in children bathrooms. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care.

State report

Oct 2025 Complaint Unsubstantiated

Complaint · October 28, 2025

Unsubstantiated

ALLEGATION(S): Staff did not provide adequate supervision resulting in child sustaining injury. Staff did not notify child's guardian of incident that occurred. INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: On 1/12/2026 at 8:45AM., Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Luis Gomez met with Assistant Director, M.C. The purpose of today’s inspection was explained and was for an unannounced, complaint inspection. Director, R.W. arrived during inspection. Present was director, assistant director, and 8 staff providing care for 31 children. LPA inspection facility for health and safety hazards. During today’s inspection, LPA conducted interviews, reviewed records, and performed observation. During the course of this investigation, LPA conducted observations on 11/3/2025 and 01/12/2026. A review of facility records was complete, which included the staff files, children’s files, incident report log, and facility handbooks. LPA conducted interviews with licensee, director, assistant director, staff, and involved parties. (REFER TO LIC9099C, FOR CONT.) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

Individual employees are shown by initials. The state’s report, linked above, names them in full.

State report

Oct 2025 Licensing visit nothing cited
Oct 2025 Complaint

Complaint · October 7, 2025

CCR 101223(a)(1) · Type B

101223 Personal Rights: (a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons. This requirement was not met as evidence by: Based on evidence collected, LPA determined staff spoke appropriately to day care child. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care.

State report

Oct 2025 Complaint Unsubstantiated

Complaint · October 3, 2025

Unsubstantiated

ALLEGATION(S): Staff allow children to exit the classrooms without supervision INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: On 12/23/2025 at 8:45AM., Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Luis Gomez met with Assistant Director, M.C. The purpose of today’s inspection was explained and was for an unannounced, complaint inspection. Licensee, S.M. arrived during inspection. Present was licensee, assistant director, and 3 staff providing care for 6 children. LPA inspection facility for health and safety hazards. During today’s inspection, LPA conducted interviews, reviewed records, and performed observation. During the course of this investigation, LPA conducted observation on 10/10/2025 and 12/23/2025. A review of facility records was complete, which included the staff files, children’s files, and facility handbooks. LPA conducted interviews with licensee, director, assistant director, staff, and involved parties. (REFER TO LIC9099C, FOR CONT.) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

Individual employees are shown by initials. The state’s report, linked above, names them in full.

State report

Sep 2025 Complaint Unsubstantiated

Complaint · September 29, 2025

Unsubstantiated

ALLEGATION(S): Director or substitute director is not present in facility during operation hours. INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: On 12/2/2025 at 9:15AM., Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Luis Gomez met with Director, R.W. The purpose of today’s inspection was explained and was for an unannounced, complaint inspection. Present was the director and 12 staff providing care for 43 children. Licensee, S.M. arrived during inspeciton. Children present have been signed in. LPA inspection facility for health and safety hazards. During today’s inspection, LPA reviewed records, interviewed staff, and performed classroom observation. Deficiency observed during visit was cited on attached LIC809D, Case Management Report. During the course of this investigation, LPA conducted observation on 10/2/2025 and 12/2/2025. A review of facility records was complete, which included the staff files, incident reports, and facility handbooks. LPA conducted interviews with director, licensee, assistant director, staff, children, and involved parties. (REFER TO LIC9099C, FOR CONT.) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

Individual employees are shown by initials. The state’s report, linked above, names them in full.

State report

Jul 2025 Complaint

Complaint · July 11, 2025

CCR 101223(a)(3) · Type B

101223(a)(3) Personal Rights: To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication or aids to physical functioning. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on evidence collected, LPA determined facility staff handled daycare child in a rough manner. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care.

State report

Jul 2025 Licensing visit nothing cited
Jun 2025 Complaint Unsubstantiated

Complaint · June 16, 2025

Unsubstantiated

ALLEGATION(S): Facility is in disrepair Center director is not on premises during the hours of operation INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: On 8/20/2025 at 8:45AM., Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Luis Gomez met with Director, R.W. The purpose of today’s inspection was explained and was for an unannounced, complaint inspection. Licensee, S.M. arrived during inspection. Present were 12 staff supervising 49 children. LPA inspected facility for health and safety hazards. During the course of this investigation, site observation were conducted on 6/23/2025, 7/9/2025 and 8/20/2025. A review of facility records was complete, which includes the staff files, children files, and staff/ parent handbooks. LPA conducted interviews with licensee, director, assistant director, staff, and involved parties. (REFER TO LIC9099C, FOR CONT.) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

HSC 1596.955(a)(5) · Type B

1596.955(a)(4) (4) The maximum group size, with two teachers, or one fully qualified teacher and one aide, does not exceed 12 toddlers. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: At 11:11AM., Based on observation, record review, and interview, LPA observed toddler classroom operating beyond the maximum group size (16 children), during classroom instruction. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care.

Individual employees are shown by initials. The state’s report, linked above, names them in full.

State report

Jan 2025 Licensing visit nothing cited
Nov 2023 Licensing visit nothing cited
Nov 2023 Licensing visit 1 finding

Licensing visit · November 13, 2023

CCR 101238(a) · Type B

(a) The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees and visitors. This requirement is not met as evidenced by: At 9:50AM., Based on observations, LPAs confirmed damaged ceiling tiles located in toddler, preschool and Pre-K classrooms. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care.

State report

Oct 2022 Licensing visit nothing cited
Oct 2021 Licensing visit nothing cited

How the comparison is built

Routine visits: across Bay Area centers, the state cites something at about 1 in 4 routine visits (2,260 visits).

Details

(650) 235-9198

Address
521 E 5th Avenue
License
414004532, active
Ownership
For-profitSource: ccld.dss.ca.gov

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Sources and dates

Where every fact on this page came from, and when Shortlist last checked it against that source. Anything Shortlist could not source is named here rather than left blank.

How they teach

How they teach

How they teach

How they teach

State record

Every state visit and complaint on file, shown in full and never edited. Open a date to read what the state wrote.

The state’s licensing transparency data reports 9 complaint-related visit(s) to this facility, while 7 complaint investigation report(s) are published on the transparency portal. State complaint counts: substantiated=3, inconclusive=0, unsubstantiated=9, unfounded=CONFIDENTIAL, Type A citations=0, Type B citations=3. The state publishes no further detail for the difference.

Details