Elim Head Start
Elim Head Start is a licensed child care center in Hilmar, CA, licensed for up to 20 children and serving preschool-age children. It has held its California license since 2005. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 3 times. The state issued 3 citations, 0 of them Type A (the most serious), most often for records & paperwork (1 of 3). None came in the last 12 months. Measured by weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #78 of 98 centers in Merced County and has more citations per inspection than 61% of California licensed centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above LPA reviewed records indicating closure of afternoon session on September 7, 2022 for lack of water, nor was the issues with unsafe drinking water reported to CCLD, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above In Septemeber of 2022 Master teacher at ELIM Headstart was informed due to construction around Hilmar the water is unsafe to drink. LPA observed two functioning water fountains accessible to children.which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above desginated substitute director on site has not been reported to the CCLD. Director qualifications are incomplete missing orientation certificate in which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
About this center
Common questions
Does Elim Head Start take infants?
Not under this license, which covers preschool-age children.
Has Elim Head Start had any serious violations?
No Type A citations since 2021. It has 3 Type B citations, listed above.
How does Elim Head Start compare with other daycares in Merced County?
It is tied for #78 of 98 centers in Merced County by weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 61% of California licensed centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Elim Head Start last inspected?
Feb 10, 2026. No citations were issued during that visit.
How much does Elim Head Start cost?
California does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Elim Head Start for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-time price at licensed centers in Merced County, which includes Hilmar, was $730 a month for preschoolers (about $920 today) in the state’s 2021 Regional Market Rate Survey.
Who runs Elim Head Start?
The licensee is Merced Co. Office Of Education Regional Head Start, and the administrator listed with the state is Nicole Cabacungan.
Licensed centers nearby
20037 W. American Avenue, Hilmar · 0.8 mi away · 70 spotsAmong the most citedHilmar Christian Children's Center
20037 W. American Ave., Hilmar · 0.8 mi away · 67 spotsNo citationsHilmar Christian Children's Center-infant Program
20056 American Ave, Hilmar · 0.8 mi away · 20 spotsToo few inspections to compareDelhi State Preschool
16249 Delhi Avenue, Delhi · 4.3 mi away · 24 spotsNo citationsDelhi Head Start
16249 Delhi Avenue, Delhi · 4.3 mi away · 20 spotsAbout typicalShattuck Park Head Start
10082 Vincent Rd, Delhi · 4.8 mi away · 60 spotsNo citations
Citations are quoted from California Department of Social Services inspection and complaint reports. Type A citations are the state’s most serious category (an immediate risk to children’s health, safety or personal rights); Type B citations are a potential risk. A citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall. Complaint allegations appear here only when the state substantiated them.
To read the full state reports, search facility number 243808263 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 2, 2026.