Keystone Montessori School
Keystone Montessori School is a licensed child care center in El Cerrito, CA, licensed for up to 57 children and serving preschool-age children. It has held its California license since 2019. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 6 times and investigated 2 complaints, 2 of them substantiated. The state issued 5 citations, 1 of them Type A (the most serious), most often for records & paperwork (2 of 5). None came in the last 12 months. Measured by weighted citations per inspection, it is #12 of 13 centers in El Cerrito and has more citations per inspection than 68% of California licensed centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Licensee shall maintain a lead value at or below the Action Level of 5 ppb in all outlets subject to the testing requirements of these Written Directives, for the health and safety of children in care. 1 The facility has replaced the sink faucet in outdoor playground it is incessible to the children at this time. Director stated they are waiting on lead company to come out to retest with results. POC date of May 15, 2025. Based on record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as there was a drinking fountain outdoor had a lead exceedance, which poses a potential Health and Safety risk to persons in care. 8
.. Director shall submit a written plan of correction by watching videos on Personal Rights explaining how the facility will ensure safe practice's with staff by POC date of September 18, 2023. Director will submit to LPA via email or Fax. which poses an immediate risk to the children in care based on observation it was stated that a staff member was pinching the children in care violating children in care in a inappropriate manner as a form of discipline. 8 CCR
101212(d)(1)(C) 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 By 09/26/222 Dirctor will send in writing to LPA her understanding of the reporting requirements. Based on LPA's interview with Director it was stated that Director was not aware she was required to notifiy CCLD of the positive test results based on the new county guildelines. It is noted that Director has reported in the past of all COVID positive and exposures to CCLD.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above which poses/posed 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 which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
How common are lead-in-water citations in Contra Costa County? See the county-by-county report →
Complaint investigations
Personal Rights ~ Staff pinched day-care child, Staff handled day-care child in a rough manner.
How often are complaints about daycares in Contra Costa County substantiated? See the county-by-county report →
About this center
Common questions
Does Keystone Montessori School take infants?
Not under this license, which covers preschool-age children.
Has Keystone Montessori School had any serious violations?
California issued 1 Type A citation since 2021, its most serious category. The most recent was on Aug 16, 2023, for personal rights. Each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Keystone Montessori School?
California investigated 2 complaints since 2021 and substantiated 2. Allegations are shown only for substantiated complaints.
How does Keystone Montessori School compare with other daycares in El Cerrito?
It is #12 of 13 centers in El Cerrito by weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 68% of California licensed centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Keystone Montessori School last inspected?
Jul 31, 2026. No citations were issued during that visit.
How much does Keystone Montessori School cost?
California does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Keystone Montessori School for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-time price at licensed centers in Contra Costa County, which includes El Cerrito, was $1,287 a month for preschoolers (about $1,620 today) in the state’s 2021 Regional Market Rate Survey.
Who runs Keystone Montessori School?
The licensee is The Paper Boat, and the administrator listed with the state is Asan Gokce.
Licensed centers nearby
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1001 S. 57th Street, Richmond · 0.4 mi away · 140 spotsAmong the most citedContra Costa Co. Head Start - Balboa CDC
1001 - South 57th St, Richmond · 0.4 mi away · 38 spotsMore citations than mostPride And Joy Pre-school
1226 Liberty Street, El Cerrito · 0.6 mi away · 28 spotsAbout typicalPride And Joy Pre-school
1226 Liberty Street, El Cerrito · 0.6 mi away · 45 spotsAbout typical
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 073408869 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 3, 2026.
Comparing centers? See how to choose a daycare: 30 questions to ask and a printable checklist.